Academy of Design

Academy of Design offers Design Thinking: From Concept to Creation, where young designers brainstorm, generate multiple concepts, commit ideas to paper in a readable form, select materials, understand construction, and sew a prototype. It also offers Building a Fashion Prototype for Spring Camp and Summer Camp, with students working on fashion prototypes.

Programs

• Design Thinking: From Concept to Creation — 8-13 · Tuesdays 3:30-5:30 PM; Wednesdays 1:15-3:15 PM or 3:30-5:30 PM; Thursdays 3:30-5:30 PM; Fridays 3:30-5:30 PM; Saturdays 10:00 AM-12:00 PM or 12:30-2:30 PM · $535 per session · Materials fee $35; deposit $90. Fall 2026 sessions include Session 1 (Aug 11-Sep 26) and Session 2 (Oct 20-Dec 12).
• Building a Fashion Prototype (Spring Camp) — 8-13 · Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-3:00 PM · $785 per session · Materials fee $35; deposit $130. Spring Camp 2026 dates: Apr 6-10.
• Building a Fashion Prototype (Summer Camp) — 8-13 · Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-3:00 PM · $850 per session · Materials fee $35; deposit $170. Summer 2026 camp sessions are listed on the page.

At a glance

• Ages: 8–13 years old
• Price range: $535–$850 per session
• Current session: Session 2 (Oct 20–Dec 12, 2026)
• General schedule: The page states a three-week break between sessions from Sep 29-Oct 17.
• Facility hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

About the provider

The program’s mission is to enable young designers to brainstorm, generate multiple concepts, commit ideas to paper in a readable form, select materials, understand construction, and then sew a prototype. Students enjoy lunch at Twin Pines Park during camp, and the fall runway show is held at the College of San Mateo Theater.

Classes are limited to 10. If a class or camp is sold out, there is a waitlist. There is a three-week break between sessions from Sep 29-Oct 17.

What families say

“What makes your program so amazing is the design focus and the freedom and individual style for each designer. We’ve done pretty much every single activity on the Peninsula and yours is so unique and special.” — parent Heather J.

“Our entire family is SO HAPPY that we discovered the Academy of Design. THANK YOU SO MUCH for offering my daughter the opportunity to have some "normalcy" in these crazy times!!!” — parent Emily

Last updated September 20, 2026.