Dive into the world of visual communication through one of three tracks within the NSLC on Digital Arts & Design! Choose between animation, photography, or graphic design and immerse yourself in hands-on workshops for your chosen medium.
Individualized Tracks
Develop your creativity through photography, graphic design, or animation. Digital Arts & Design is divided into the specialty tracks below.
Choose one before starting your NSLC application:
Photography
Explore powerful photographic techniques to make the most of your camera. Hone your skills by capturing images of plants, animals, city sites, individuals, and chance encounters. Leave with a portfolio and have the opportunity to publish your images!
Animation
Discover the core concepts of animation production through workshops on character design, drawing motions, timing, syncing, and cleanup. Design your animations using both a computer and drawing tablet to practice computer-based and hands-on techniques.
Graphic Design
Sharpen your skills in Adobe Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, and InDesign CC, discovering how to manipulate digital images and create vector graphics for logos and brand packages. Explore color and design theory to communicate your message to the masses!
Dates & Locations
Note: Space is limited. Please login to the online application to see up-to-date session availability.
American University
- June 17 - June 25
- June 29 - July 7
Meet the Experts
While at the NSLC’s high school Digital Arts & Design program, you will meet with and learn from experts in the those fields.
Examples of past guest speakers include:
Mr. Walter Mears
Political Correspondent/Pulitzer Prize Winner, AP
Mr. Ron Edmonds
Photographer/Pulitzer Prize Winner, AP
Mr. Jim Morin
Cartoonist/Pulitzer Prize Winner, Miami Herald
Ms. Stu Seidel
Senior Editor, National Public Radio, Weekend Edition Sunday
Mr. Tim Kurkjian
Reporter & Analyst, ESPN
Mr. Linton Weeks
Staff Writer, Washington Post
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
An important part of the NSLC high school summer digital arts program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Digital Arts & Design.
Trips may include:
American University
Photography: National Geographic • Historic D.C. Monuments • The Washington Post • Maryland Institute College of Art | Animation: Motion Picture Assocation • Firaxis Games • Breakaway Games • Maryland Institute College of Art | Graphic Design: ARTECHOUSE • Graphic Design Firm Visit • Interface Media Group • Maryland Institute College of Art
Leadership Training
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Digital Arts & Design program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation
- Public Speaking
- Intrapersonal Communication
College Credit Option
American University (AU) and NSLC have a unique partnership that enables you to earn college credit by enrolling in a supplemental online course designed to correlate with your NSLC program’s area of study. By enrolling in this credit course, you will enjoy a stimulating, innovative, and personalized college-level learning experience that builds on your NSLC accomplishments. The course is for one credit and is taught in a self-paced, asynchronous format across six weeks, allowing ample time to complete assignments. The course is designed to work within the framework of NSLC; students are not expected to complete coursework while on campus. Students may register for college credit via their personal student portal (myNSLC) once they have enrolled in an NSLC session.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Tuition
Program tuition includes housing, all on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, and activities. Tuition also includes chartered, air-conditioned motor coaches for off-campus briefings and tours. Note: Students are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the program as well as individual spending money for souvenirs, laundry, and a few off-campus meals during fields trips and tours.
Click here to view our cancellation and refund policy.
| Location | Tuition |
|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $3,895 |
