Design Studios
We offer four design studios—Fashion, Toy, Product, and Architecture—with a series of classes that help students develop skills step by step.
Each studio introduces students to design practices through hands-on making, real materials, and the full creative process, from inspiration and ideation to making, refining, and completion.
Fashion Design
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2nd-3rd grade
Fashion Design 1 introduces students to the foundations of fashion design. Ideal for budding fashionistas who love to sashay down the runway with mom’s high heels or dad’s coolest tie. Students learn basic sketching, fabric handling, simple pattern concepts, and beginner sewing skills while creating their first garments and accessories.
Students gain confidence using tools and materials while learning how designers turn ideas into wearable pieces.
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4th-5th grade
Fashion Design 2 builds on foundational skills with more slightly more complex garment construction and design challenges. Students strengthen sewing technique, explore pattern development, and work on more complex projects that require planning and attention to detail.
This course is open to students of all experience levels—from those who have never sewn before to those with prior sewing experience. Instruction is personalized to meet each student where they are, building foundational skills while encouraging creative growth.
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6th-9th grade
Fashion Design 3 is an advanced studio for older students ready to take greater ownership of their creative work. Students develop original designs and learn more sophisticated construction techniques while completing fully realized garments from start to finish.
This course supports students in developing a personal design voice while strengthening independence, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Prior experience is helpful but not necessary.
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Various levels
Fashion Prototyping focuses on turning complex ideas into three-dimensional forms. Students create and refine garment prototypes, experimenting with structure, silhouette, and fit. This studio is best suited for students with some prior fashion or sewing experience who enjoy problem-solving and iterative design.
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Various levels
In Fashion Illustration, students learn how designers communicate ideas visually. Through figure drawing, color exploration, and rendering techniques, students practice expressing clothing concepts clearly and creatively. This course is ideal for students who enjoy drawing and want to strengthen visual storytelling skills that support all areas of fashion design.
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Various levels
In Accessory Design, students design and create functional, wearable objects such as bags, hats, belts, and small accessories. This course emphasizes craftsmanship, detail, and thoughtful design choices, making it an excellent entry point for beginners and a valuable skill-builder for more experienced students.
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Various levels
Textile Design introduces students to the creative side of materials and surface design. Students experiment with dyeing, printing, and fabric manipulation while learning how textiles influence both the look and function of clothing. This course is a great fit for students who enjoy hands-on experimentation and material exploration.
Toy Design
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2nd-5th grade
Students design and sew their own soft toys, learning pattern-making, assembly, material choice, and character development. A studio that teaches comfort, creativity, and precision.
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4th-8th grade
A hands-on exploration of wooden toys and small objects. Students learn woodworking basics, simple joinery, sanding, finishing, and child-safe design principles.
Toy Design cultivates both imagination and craftsmanship. Through soft goods or woodwork, students learn design thinking, material understanding, functionality, and the joy of creating something playful and personal.
Product Design
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4th-8th grade
Students design and build functional wooden products such as organizers, containers, desk objects, or home goods. They explore form, proportion, ergonomics, and the relationship between object and user.
Architecture
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5th-9th grade
Students learn to design and build architectural models using foam board, chipboard, wood, and mixed materials. They explore structure, scale, spatial composition, and the principles behind architectural decisions.