Curriculum and Courses

Curriculum

All Summer Immersion students enroll in two classes from the list below. When completing the application, students will rank their top three course choices. These hands-on classes explore the diverse disciplines available at Pratt and are taught by Pratt faculty using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities across campus. The courses are modeled after Pratt’s undergraduate curriculum and award 4 college credits accepted at most colleges and universities.

Students are in class four days a week from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Students should anticipate spending 2-4 hours each evening working on class assignments. Co-curricular programming includes guided studio hours with Pratt degree students who help with class assignments and provide feedback before critiques.

Commuter students can choose to attend studio hours or expect to spend an equal amount of time completing homework at home. Please note that some assignments may require special tools available only during scheduled studio times.

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The Courses

All PreCollege students are automatically enrolled in two classes. Please note that some classes require a foundation course as the second concentration.

Reimagine the structures in which we live and work. Develop solutions to a series of architectural problems through hands-on work; producing sketches, drafting plans, and building models. Students will gain familiarity with architectural concepts and build skills through hands-on lessons. Please note: Students taking architecture will automatically be enrolled in an architecture foundation course and cannot take a second concentration.

“I loved having Studio Hours. It was a chance to explore and practice independence.”
– Sofia B.
Summer 2024 Architecture Student

A young woman with light skin and long, wavy brown hair stands against a white background. She wears a white tank top with lace trim and a dark gray skirt. She holds a small architectural model in her hands, which features a modern, angular structure made of thin wooden sticks and translucent material, set on a sandy base with miniature greenery. She looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

A meticulously crafted architectural model of a modern multi-level home is displayed on a white surface. The model features an open-concept design with terraces, staircases, and landscaped green spaces. It is surrounded by miniature trees, a reflective blue water element, and small human figures to provide scale. The materials used include wood, foam, and transparent sheets to represent windows.

Explore the art of pictorial storytelling; combining images and text to create visual narratives for single panel illustrations, comic strips/books, and graphic novels. Investigate all aspects of this art form: from drawing techniques, lettering, and inking, to composition, perspective, panel sequences, and developing original stories. The skills acquired provide a foundation for creative processes such as: children’s book illustration, storyboards for film and television production, and animation.

A group of students in a gallery space examines a wall filled with black-and-white comic strips, hand-drawn illustrations, and colorful digital artwork. One student, wearing a black crop top and shorts, points at a piece while discussing it with another in a light blue dress. A third student, wearing a black graphic t-shirt and headphones, observes quietly. The exhibition space features a minimalist design with white walls and a polished floor.

Analyze how popular culture, media, and everyday practices shape and reflect social differences. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students examine how institutions and economic forces influence culture. Students develop critical awareness as consumers, critics, and creators of culture while experiencing NYC’s diverse cultural landscape through site visits. Students will learn to critically analyze why some forms of culture are valued over others and discover how engaging with culture—from books and films to music and social media—can be a powerful tool for social change.

Create both hand-crafted and digital approaches to the art of animation. From early optical toys, through drawing frame by frame on paper, to creating digitally composited layers of movement for a fully realized project with sound and color. Daily exercises range from traditional character animation to more experimental techniques, allowing students to foster their own vision. Students taking animation will automatically be enrolled in a foundation course and cannot take a second concentration.

Unlock your creative potential in Game Arts, where you’ll explore the fundamentals of game design and create your own prototypes! This hands-on course covers key game mechanics, narrative design, and the iterative development process, teaching you how to bring your ideas to life using industry-standard tools like Godot and Bitsy. By the end of the course, you’ll have built prototypes, including a digital platformer, board games, and narrative-driven experiences, while developing a critical vocabulary to analyze and discuss game design.

Translate the three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface. Develop perceptual and aesthetic awareness and improve technical skills through the creation of fine art. Students will use different drawing and painting techniques, media, and subject matter to create a body of work with an emphasis on developing an effective studio practice and producing works to include in a competitive portfolio. Please note: Nude figure drawing is included.

A photograph of an art exhibition showcasing an eclectic mix of paintings, drawings, and mixed-media pieces on white walls. A large pink canvas featuring surreal, cartoonish characters in bright colors serves as a focal point. Surrounding it are detailed charcoal sketches, colorful still-life paintings, and conceptual pieces incorporating text and collage elements. The wooden floor and bright lighting create a welcoming gallery atmosphere.

A young woman with long, dark hair and light skin stands against a neutral gray background, holding a large acrylic painting in front of her. The painting depicts a shattered plate on a tiled kitchen floor, with red sandals visible at the bottom of the composition. A grocery store bag labeled

Transform ideas into tangible forms. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the diverse world of three-dimensional art. Students explore various sculptural forms and techniques, gaining hands-on experience from carving and modeling to assemblage and installation. Through the lens of contemporary sculpture and artists, students develop their own creative voice and produce unique works of art.

A young woman with curly brown hair and light skin stands against a neutral gray background, holding an intricate wooden sculpture. The sculpture consists of interwoven dark wood loops, metal figurines, and a suspended human face mask with closed eyes. She wears a patterned short-sleeve blouse and black pants, and she smiles warmly at the camera.

A conceptual mixed-media sculpture displayed on a white pedestal against a gallery wall. The artwork consists of a vertical wooden structure with two realistic, sculpted hands emerging from it—one from the top and the other from the base. The hands are connected by delicate strands of thin wire, resembling an intricate web. The piece conveys a sense of tension, connection, and fragility. Shadows from nearby curved elements add depth to the scene.

Immerse yourself in the fundamentals of art and design. This dynamic studio course, based on Pratt’s first-year curriculum, challenges students to think critically and creatively about visual expression. Through hands-on projects and exploration of diverse media, students gain a deeper understanding of color, shape, line, and movement, while developing essential skills for artistic growth. Please note: Nude figure drawing is included.

A photograph of an art exhibition space with a wooden floor and white walls, showcasing a diverse collection of student artwork. The walls are filled with paintings, charcoal portraits, and mixed-media pieces arranged in a salon-style display. A white ladder leads up to a ceiling fixture, adding an element of depth to the scene. In the background, another room filled with more artwork is visible, along with a chair near the entrance.

A black-and-white charcoal drawing diptych on beige paper, depicting two expressive nude female figures. The left drawing shows a woman seen from the back with her hair tied up, adjusting it with one hand while the other rests on her hip. A pentagram tattoo is visible on her shoulder blade. The right drawing features a reclining woman with a curvaceous form, her head missing from the composition, emphasizing the fluidity of her torso and draped fabric. The artwork has bold, gestural strokes, capturing the human figure with an expressive and raw energy.

Explore the creative potential of digital illustration for editorial and commercial applications. Students master industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as well as learn techniques to produce professional-quality images. Through experimentation with drawing, scanning, digital photography, and photo editing, students develop a unique visual voice.

A digital painting of a woman with long, flowing dark green hair lying on a reflective surface inside a glowing blue crystal cave. She wears a flowing white dress and rests her head on her arm with a melancholic expression. Large, luminescent blue crystals surround her, casting a soft glow throughout the cavern.

A digital illustration of three stylized humanoid figures with stitched-together patchwork skin in shades of purple, green, and yellow. They have exaggerated facial features, bolts in their necks, and wear modern tank tops. One figure in the foreground raises a hand with mismatched fingers, while the other two pose in the background. Floating hammers surround them, and the background is a deep blue gradient.

Develop a comprehensive foundation in traditional illustration techniques. Students will explore drawing and painting, developing your artistic voice and learning to create compelling visuals for the commercial world. Through life drawing, experimentation with various media, and cultivating a creative vision, students gain the skills to produce professional-quality work. Nude figure drawing included.

Capture life in the moment. Students study 35mm camera operations, lighting techniques, and darkroom procedures to achieve a broad-based knowledge of black and white photography. Instruction includes exposing and developing film, making contact prints, enlarging and finishing photographs. Students are required to provide their own 35mm camera for this course.

A young woman with long, wavy auburn hair and light skin stands in front of a white exhibition wall covered in black-and-white photographs. She wears a light gray, textured sweater and carries a black shoulder bag. She smiles brightly at the camera. The photographs on the wall are arranged in a collage-like format, featuring portraits, urban scenes, and candid moments. A red frame highlights two specific images, adding a striking contrast to the monochromatic display.

Develop a comprehensive introduction to digital imaging. Learn to capture and edit impactful images using industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Explore key concepts in art and design while developing a strong foundation in image manipulation techniques. Students are required to provide their own digital camera for this course.

Curriculum and Courses

Curriculum

The Courses

Architecture

Comic Book / Sequential Art

Cultural Studies

Creative Writing

Digital Arts: 2D Animation

Digital Arts: 3D Animation

Digital Arts: Art and Technology

Digital Arts: Game Arts

Fashion Design

Film/Video

Fine Arts: Painting and Drawing

Fine Arts: Sculpture

Foundation Art

Graphic Design

Illustration: Digital

Illustration: Traditional

Industrial Design

Interior Design

Jewelry / Metal Arts

Photography: Analog

Photography: Digital