About Design Scholars

Get a head start on a future in design! Teens in New York City can apply to be a DesignPrep Scholar, a free program that features hands-on workshops with professional designers, design studio visits, and college tours.

We are now accepting applications for the 2019 – 2020 school year! Applications for both semesters are due on May 6th. 

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The Design Scholars program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in high school or home school in New York City. To be considered, students must submit an application for the Design Scholars program.

Note: Students can apply for one semester or up two semesters during the 2019-20 school year. Submission of an application does not guarantee selection into the program. Students interested in taking advantage of opportunities offered in both the Fall and the Spring are encouraged to apply for both semesters by clicking here.

Accepted students must commit to  weekly after-school sessions from 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Tuesdays throughout the 2019-2020 school year.

Accepted students are also required to complete a parental consent form. Click here to download the parental consent form.

Want more info? Sign up here.

Design Scholars is made possible by the generous support of Altman Foundation, The Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

fall Design Scholars |  Architecture, Interior Design, and LAndscape ARCHITECTURE

September 17, 2019 through December 17, 2019

Tuesdays, 4:30 – 6:30 PM

Interested in designing buildings, public spaces, or interiors? Apply for a semester of problem-solving, creative thinking, and collaboration and gain a deep understanding of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design. Scholars will meet designers from different fields, visit studios to learn more about the design process, and work on hands-on projects that will help build a portfolio.

Click here to apply for Fall 2019. Applications are due on May 6, 2019.

Interested in applying for both semesters? Click here.

sPRING Design Scholars | Fashion design, Graphic Design, Product Design, and Interaction Design 

February 4, 2020 through May 12, 2020

Tuesdays, 4:30 – 6:30 PM

Immerse yourself in the worlds of fashion, interaction, graphic, and product design. Apply for a semester of making real-world connections across different design disciplines and engaging in approaches that designers use to address complex challenges. Scholars will meet designers from different fields, visit studios to learn more about the design process, and work on hands-on projects that will help build a portfolio.

Click here to apply for Spring 2020. Applications are due on May 6, 2019.

Interested in applying for both semesters? Click here.