UCLA DMA Summer Institute

Information

The Department of Design Media Arts at UCLA is one of the nation's top design departments. The DMA Summer Institute is designed for high school students who are interested in exploring their creative potential by using the most current software and working with trained and experienced instructors and professionals. Students not only develop creative pieces that can be submitted for applications to college but they also earn University of California credit for their work. In a short time, students will taste the excitement of being a part of a cutting-edge department that will help motivate them during their last years of high school and prepare them for college life. At the end of class students will have the ability to create their own online portfolio to use in college arts admission applications. Students enroll in both weeks to gain as many skills as possible and incorporate work from other modules.

The course is designed to meet the needs of high school students interested in exploring their creative potential within the fields of design media arts. The course will focus on concepts of narrative and “story-telling.” Students will be introduced to and will explore a variety of media such as graphic design, web design, game design and video design with the goal of combining and integrating these media to express and realize their narrative projects. They will learn to work with the most current software and technology in each discipline area, developing a diverse skill set while cultivating conceptual capabilities around the “story-telling,” project. Students will work with experienced instructors and professionals in the field to develop projects utilizing this comprehensive and integrative approach. Students will develop creative work that can be submitted for applications to college and will also earn four units of college credit for attending this class. The department’s intent in offering this course is to help motivate and inspire students with an interest in these fields during their high school years and to help prepare them for college life. At the end of the course, students will have the ability to create their own online portfolio to show friends and family and to use in high school and future college arts applications.

The two week class will only be offered in the summer as part of the D|MA Summer Institute to high school students. Students will receive a total of four units for two weeks. Courses do not apply towards the degree and are on a P/N grading basis. Course may be repeated.

Class will last for two weeks (five days each week) and will meet six hours each day with lab hours weekly. The day will be divided into two three-hour sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Syllabus

In 10 days the students will work on short stories about themselves while exploring a variety of media.

graphic design _ what TYPEFACE(S) AM I
In graphic design the basics of typography are explored focusing on typefaces, their characteristics and how to create a visually striking portrait in typography. Software program instructions on Indesign and Illustrator.

web design _ what favorite people do I relate to
In web design students are creating an online network of references around themselves based on the people they love and admire. Software languages discussed are html, and css3, software program instructions on Dreamweaver.

gaming design _ a “shooting gallery” of the favorite things I want
Gaming explores narrative and interaction based on the things we strive for, or want to possess, in our (future) life with a focus on game environment and characters. Software program instructions on Unity.

audio/video design _ a 1 minute video of who I am
How can we use sound and motion to convey our most personal and insightful self- portrait. What if this is not about how we look (but anything less surface-based), and more about who we are; our gestures, our thoughts, our actions, our voice, or our body movement, etc. Software program instructions on Final Cut pro, After Effects and Premiere.

All these assignments can influence each other and are part of one big project, a self-portrait in a variety of ways of communication. The order of rotating will have an influence on how it all comes together, students are encouraged to use elements made in every other course as their starting point.

Grading will be Pass/ No Pass (P/NP)
Students are expected to attend each morning and afternoon lesson and arrive on time. Due to the short nature of the course, each class will cover several weeks- worth of material and it is important that students arrive ready to learn and put their newly gained knowledge to practice.

Grading Breakdown:
50% Attendance; 50% Participation

Click here to view more information about UCLA grading policies and how to acquire an official transcript.

Schedule

Monday through Thursday, each day will be divided into two classes: a morning class beginning at 9AM and an afternoon class ending at 5PM. The program will begin on the first Monday with an all-day introduction to the instructors, other students, and expectations involved.

Lunch will be from 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM daily. Students must bring money for their lunch. There are a number of inexpensive campus eating establishments located close to the Broad Art Center and around the UCLA campus.

A closing reception with awards ceremony will be held in the Broad Art Center on the last Friday. Parents are encouraged to attend the presentation.

Download first day schedule here: First Day Schedule

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First Week
Second Week
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All students are divided into 4 groups (an equal amount of students per group). They will rotate around the media offered as follows:

group 1 starts with	graphic design web design gaming design audio/video design	group 3 starts with	gaming design audio/video design graphic design web design
group 2 starts with	web design gaming design audio/video design graphic design	group 4 starts with	audio/video design graphic design web design gaming design

Contact + Resources

For questions about curriculum, labs, and program content:

Sara S. Lee
Assistant Director of D|MA Summer Institute
E-mail: saraslee@arts.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 267-4907

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Click here for a downloadable version of the Syllabus + Schedule

UCLA Summer Institutes website

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SCHOLARSHIPS

UCLA offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to qualified California high school students for the Summer Institutes.

Design Media Arts also offers one full, need-based scholarship. To apply, please send the following materials in one packet:

1. A half-page essay describing your artistic interests and goals, and the reasons for your interest in the DMA Summer Institute.
2. A copy of your family’s 2011 federal income tax return.
3. Letter of Recommendation Form from a teacher or school counselor commenting on your ability to successfully complete a rigorous academic or creative program.

Please allow your recommender at least two weeks to complete a letter of support.

All supporting documents must be submitted in one packet to the address below:

       UCLA Design Media Arts 2275 Broad Art Center
       Los Angeles, California 90095-1456
       Attn: Summer Institute Scholarship

The application must be received by 3pm on April 30, 2012.

Information For Parents

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers that may be of particular interest to the parents. Parents can be assured that our Summer Institute students will be learning in a safe, secure, and fun environment, fully-supervised by a program counselor or instructor at all times.

HOUSING

Are the residence halls coed?
The University's four high-rise residence halls are coed, with separate community restrooms and showers for men and women. Two students share one furnished room.

Could my son or daughter request a specific roommate?
Yes, you will have the option to indicate a preferred roommate on the registration form. Students will not be assigned as roommates unless both students indicate this preference on their registration form.

What amenities are provided in the residence halls?
Residence hall amenities include basic cable TV service and computer network connections in every room, plus laundry facilities on each floor. Each building has a computer lab/learning center and study lounges. 24-hour front desk services are available for mail and messages. Most buildings have a residential restaurant on the premise or nearby.

How secure are the residence halls?
Each residence hall has a 24-hour front desk service and a secure facility entrance. The doors are locked at night and can only be accessed by room key.

When can students move into their dorm rooms for the summer schedule?
Students may move into the dorm at the designated check-in day for summer programming.

When do students need to be out?
Students will need to be out by the designated check-out date. Upon check-out, students will need to turn in the dorm key, at the front desk.

Will my child be supervised in the residence hall?
Yes, students will be supervised by the program counselors at all times, including in the residence halls. The 11pm curfew will also be strictly enforced by the program counselors.

Are high school students on the same floor with college-aged students?
Yes, but high school students will not be housed on the same side of the floor as college-level students.

MEALS

Are meals included in the cost of housing?
Students will have breakfast and dinner each day in the UCLA dining halls, sites nationally recognized for their excellent cuisine. The cost of these meals is included in the cost of housing. Students must, however, purchase his/her own lunch each day at any of the inexpensive campus eating establishments on campus.

SAFETY AND HEALTH

What happens if there is a medical emergency?
For minor ailments we will escort students to the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center for treatment on campus. The Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center is located in the heart of campus next to the John Wooden Recreational Center. This is the facility that UCLA undergraduate and graduate students use to meet all of their health needs. 

The Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center does not bill insurance companies. Billing for the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center will appear on the student's Summer Sessions BruinBill account, available via University Records System Access (URSA). View the fees for the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.

In the event of a medical emergency that needs immediate attention students will be transported to the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center Emergency Room.  We will contact the parent/guardian as soon as possible.

TAKING YOUR STUDENT OFF CAMPUS

Are students allowed to leave the campus in the evenings or during the weekend with a parent?
Summer Institute students staying in the residence halls are not permitted to leave the program.  Along with the “Summer Institutes Online Registration Form” that is submitted by each student, they will also review, electronically sign, and submit a “Participant Agreement.”   The Participant Agreement stipulates that high school students are not permitted to leave the program. You can find an electronic PDF version of the Participant Agreement here.  

Exceptions can be made, however, depending on the circumstances. To request for authorization to take your child off campus during the program, please contact UCLA Summer Institute.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Is the program open to international students?
Yes! Students from all over the world-- Greece, Hong Kong, England, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Spain, to name a few—have attended the DMA Summer Institute in recent years. For questions concerning international students, please contact UCLA Summer Institute.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Are any scholarships available?
Yes, UCLA offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to qualified California high school students for the Summer Institutes.

Design Media Arts also offers one full, need-based scholarship. To apply, please send the following materials in one packet:

1. A half-page essay describing your artistic interests and goals, and the reasons for your interest in the DMA Summer Institute.
2. A copy of your family’s 2011 federal income tax return.
3. Letter of Recommendation Form from a teacher or school counselor commenting on your ability to successfully complete a rigorous academic or creative program.

Please allow your recommender at least two weeks to complete a letter of support.

All supporting documents must be submitted in one packet to the address below:

       UCLA Design Media Arts 2275 Broad Art Center
       Los Angeles, California 90095-1456
       Attn: Summer Institute Scholarship

The application must be received by 3pm on April 30, 2012.