Pre-college Graphic Design & Comic Book Camp

Graphic Design Camp: with Chris Medley and Jess Meoni
Comic Book Camp: with Mark Schultz
When: June 20-24, 2016
Times: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
Where: Marywood University, Shields Center for Visual Arts
Cost: $475 Commuters | $1150 On-Campus Stay

These two camps, which run concurrently, are a great opportunity for upcoming juniors and senior high school students planning to apply to college within the art field.

Design camp is a great way to see if this is something you are interested in as well as an opportunity to work on improving your admission portfolio. If you have prior pieces of work, bring them with you to get feedback and advice from professionals on how to refine your artwork. There will be lunch provided for commuters and full meals provided for those staying overnight, along with snacks and drinks throughout class time and other activities.

This is an amazing opportunity where you are basically treated like a college designer or illustrator for a week, pretty cool right?

I asked Christine and Jess a few questions about the camp that I am sure will be beneficial towards anyone interested in going.

How will this summer camp be beneficial for the students attending?

CM: The graphic design camp and the comic book camp offers an opportunity to explore these areas to pursue as a career. Students can also use it as a way to build up a portfolio or larger body of work in preparation for college admission to an art program. Students interested in comics and drawing can learn what it’s like to be a cartoonist, to write a graphic novel, and learn new drawing skills. Students interested in design will learn about how to use type, color, and images in layouts for print and Web. They’ll also learn software skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

JM: High school students will have a head start honing in on foundational graphic design training, including applying traditional art skills to digital ones. Practicing the technology, techniques, and terminology will enable students to gain a sense of comfort and familiarity approaching graphic design as potential college pursuit.

Do the students have to have any prior experience with Adobe Suite?

CM: No, the students don’t need any computer or software experience. We will teach the basics for each project and they’ll have plenty of time to practice their new skills. The labs will be open in the evenings; in case they want to work more on their projects or practice the software.

What is an example of the schedule for one of the days?

CM: The days are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. where a new project and demonstration will be given. Students will have time to come up with ideas and start to work on it before the lunch break. After lunch, they will finish their project, and then everyone in the class will share what they’ve made. Projects will vary in both camps and will include drawing, design posters, cards, logos, printing, and some 3D printing. We will have some field trips planned for during the day and then activities after dinner for the overnight campers. Some of the activities include a swim party, pizza party, movie night, field trip to the Everhart Museum, Nay Aug park, letterpress printing, button making, and more. At the end of the week we will have an art show of the work made during the week.

JM: My particular class will be focusing on a fanzine project, creating a small 8-page booklet publication focused on a hobby or interest of the students’ choice. Students will start of creating sketches, painting, collage, etc., and then work on digitizing the materials. This will incorporate Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

To register or find out more information, check out this flyer or contact Christine Medley at cmedley@marywood.edu or 570-348-6278 x2485.

There may be small $200 scholarships provided if you sign up before May 1st!

Featured image can be found here