Graphic design is a powerful art form that uses visual concepts to communicate ideas in ways that inspire, inform, and engage audiences.
Use elements like typography, color, imagery, and layout, to transform messages into compelling visuals that capture attention and convey meaning quickly and effectively. Whether it’s creating logos, advertisements, websites, or packaging, graphic design plays a crucial role in shaping how we experience brands, stories, and information every day. Dive into the world of graphic design to learn how to blend creativity and strategy, turning ideas into impactful visual solutions.
Grades 9 - 12
Explore graphic design, the art of presenting information through graphical and textual elements. Turn your ideas into expressive images using design concepts such as simplicity, balance, alignment and negative space. Learn how to integrate text, image and color for maximum visual impact. Use industry standard software to create designs that will be shared on the last day of the program.
Typical Day
9:30am - 12:00pm
Morning Sessions
Each day we will explore new design concepts like balance, shape, and color. Using physical and digital examples students will learn to see design in everything! Through interactive workshops and games students will put what they learn into hands-on practice. Mornings will be filled with activities like collaging, texture rubbing, and color matching.
12:00pm - 1pm
Lunch
Weather permitting, students have the opportunity to enjoy lunch outdoors with their Teaching Assistants, soaking in the beauty of the Purchase College campus. Purchase College campus offers inspiration and relaxation and a chance to connect with fellow students, and recharge energy before heading into afternoon classes and activities.
1pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon Sessions
After lunch we return to our making labs where students will experience real world design technologies from letterpress to risograph printing.
Final Day
Our summer session ends with a student exhibition showcasing all they have learned. Students will take home a book of class work that we curate, produce, and bind together. This class offers students a chance to learn and build community while discovering their own aesthetic.
Program Details
YTH 9280 / Graphic Design
Session III: (2 week) July 27 - August 7, 2026
Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 3:30 pm (10 sessions)
$1200 for the first registration
$1080 for the second registration in the family, Purchase College employees, and alumni, Broadview families, Pepsi employees and early registrations (paid in full by May 1, 2026)
Empire State Arts Scholarship Information
For the visual artist, add Visual Arts Institute to maximize your summer experience.
Instructor
Interested in Undergraduate Fine Arts Programs at Purchase College?
Check out the BFA programs in painting and drawing, sculpture, interdisciplinary visual arts, graphic design, and printmaking in the School of Art+Design.
School of Art+Design Events - Information about portfolio reviews