June 20, 2009

For high school students who want to get a head start on college studies, the Westphal College offers intensive summer programs in Music Industry, Fashion, Design & Merchandising, Architecture and Interior Design. The July programs include courses, guest lectures, field trips, meals in the dining halls and a stay in the dorms.

The Summer Music Industry Program is hosting 60 students who will get hands on experience in the MAD Dragon recording studios. They will learn how the music business operates, how artists are chosen and signed to a label, and about songwriting. They also have the opportunity to interact with industry guest speakers. The courses are taught by our Music Industry faculty and include Digital Audio Production, Music Business, Audio Engineering, How to Start Your Own Label, and workshops in Artist and Repertoire (A&R) and Songwriting.

Students from the Delaware Valley and from as far away as Texas, California, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Maine come to the Fashion Design and Design & Merchandising Programs. The immersive design curriculum allows students to explore design, illustration, product development and promotion of fashion and lifestyle brands. Student designers spend much of their time in the studio sketching, developing and promoting products using both hands-on and computer aided design (CAD) applications. Students visit designers including Drexel alumni Abby Kessler and Katie Loftus who design all of the clothes for their Philadelphia boutique Smak Parlour. Guest speakers will address career opportunities and trends for the 21st Century. Field trips are offered to Philadelphia retailers, museums, theaters and restaurants to round out the program.

Both the Interior Design and Architecture Programs have students spending time in the studio and in the field doing research, investigations and building models. Participants will develop their design skills while gaining a better understanding of freehand drawing and 3D modeling computer software. Working architects and interior designers will welcome the students into their offices for tours and lectures and they will take advantage of Philadelphia's architectural wealth with trips throughout the city. A collaborative charrette in which the students conceptualize, design, develop and construct a Portable Shelter made totally from found or leftover materials culminates with final presentations to the entire group and faculty.

For more information on our summer programs click here.