Summer Academy Programs

Through this program, you will complete a week-long project involving aspects of textile design, fashion design and fashion merchandising. You will have the opportunity to design and explore in Thomas Jefferson University's 14,000-square-foot Fashion & Textile Futures Center, as well as the new Phil J. Kodroff Fashion Merchandising & Management Studio. Learn about one of the largest and most dynamic industries in the world from current faculty and industry professionals.

In trend forecasting, wanderlust refers to a cultural and consumer trend driven by the desire for travel, exploration and experiencing new places, cultures and lifestyles. It reflects a deep longing to escape routine and seek adventure or inspiration in distant, often exotic, destinations. Fashion and Textiles are global industries with focuses on sustainability, eco-friendly practices and authenticity. 

This workshop invites you to explore the vibrance, tactility and collaborative core inherent to these industries and embodies within our programs. Members of the Thomas Jefferson University faculty and exceptional students will guide participants through an immersive, career-focused curriculum that will redefine how they interact with the textiles, fashion and marketing that surround them. 

This Summer Academy aims to inspire curiosity and encourage high school students to consider what impact they want to have on the world around them. How can their future contributions redefine what is possible?

Drawing from their personal style, participants will be tasked with creating their own unique brand. Through research and discussion, they will learn to articulate the core concepts behind their ideas and create visual mood boards that encapsulate their aspirations.

With the guidance of our Fashion Merchandising & Management faculty, participants will delve into brand development and customer profiling. They will explore the significance of understanding their target audience while maintaining brand integrity. An investigation of white-spaces in the industry will expose them to opportunities for grouping relevant product offerings that speak to the intended market.

From there our Textile Design faculty will guide the participants through the development of seamless, repeating print designs for their brand. Those designs will be digitized and translated into Jacquard woven, Jacquard knit, and printed textiles. Participants will also have the opportunity to try their hand at floor-loom weaving and hand-machine knitting on our studio equipment.

Finally, our Fashion Design faculty will lead the participants, charged with ideas, into an exploration of fashion design through the lens of sustainability. They will drape exciting silhouette ideas and create concept boards to inspire an illustrated capsule that incorporates their textile designs.

To incorporate the principles of Nexus Learning featured in the Jefferson Design, Engineering & Commerce curriculum, the final day will be compromised of a professional-style critique. Participants will receive feedback on their brand development, textile designs, and capsule collection. The work produced during this Summer Academy be portfolio-quality pieces that will make the participants standout among their peers.

Jefferson’s Visual Communication Design Summer Academy is an immersive three-day experience that guides high school students interested in graphic and web design through the design process, from concept development to production. Participants will collaborate with our experienced faculty and current students to tackle a real-world design prompt.

The Academy unfolds in our VCD studios on the East Falls campus, providing students with access to industry-standard software, computers and cutting-edge prototyping equipment. Each day is structured to optimize learning, featuring project discussions, critiques, presentations by industry professionals, and skills labs. The academy concludes with a reception open to family and friends, where the final projects will be showcased.

Eligibility

Open to high school students grade 10-12. We encourage anyone excited about art and design to apply.

Time + Dates

Wednesday, July 16th – Friday, July 18th, 2025
9:00am – 4:00pm, Daily

Closing Reception and Student Work Showcase
Friday, July 18th, 2025 at 5:00PM
Kanbar Performance Space

Location

Thomas Jefferson University - East Falls Campus
Hayward Hall, Room 104
4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144

Directions

Jefferson - East Falls Campus Map (PDF)

Registration & Fees

Enrollment in this 3-day workshop is $300 with a $50 non-refundable deposit will reserve your space in this workshop. If you require a payment plan, please contact Elizabeth Shirrell, [email protected].

All necessary art supplies will be provided.

Lunch

Lunch will be provided each day. Students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle, any personal snacks, or a brown-bagged lunch if they do not wish to partake in the provided lunch.

Questions?

For any questions, contact Beth Shirrell at [email protected].