Summer at CCS: one of the smartest moves you’ll make

Create your own characters and the world that they live in. Discover the exciting career of developing visual concepts for film, animation, game art and amusement parks.

Build a strong foundation in drawing, composition, and visual storytelling with this course.  Learn essential drawing skills and create hand drawn and/or digital work for your portfolio.

Work in teams and independently to create a short film and still images that express your point of view. Experiment with lighting and fashion models in the studio. Work with digital tools, music and sound effects to enhance your projects.

Do you have a unique style that’s all your own? This is your chance to turn those ideas into reality. You’ll create your own fashion brand, from finding inspiration to designing a full outfit. By the end of the program, you’ll be your own brand ambassador, wearing a head-to-toe look you designed yourself.

Become a sneaker and handbag designer. Sketch your concepts and build your own custom brand of wearable sneakers from start to finish. You’ll complete the look with a complementary garment, giving you a unique runway outfit and standout portfolio pieces.

Produce meaningful works of art in a variety of media. Build your fine art portfolio with two dimensional paintings, ceramics, and metal jewelry under the guidance of working artists and faculty members.

Learn the principles of good design and create a product and an environment that is both beautiful and functional. Students will be challenged to solve a problem, develop a concept, create a prototype and present it to industry professionals. This course is an excellent choice for students interested in Product Design and Color and Materials studies.

Learn the essential skills of an automotive designer. Capture the energy and motion of a vehicle with gestural sketching. Master proportions and perspective to create realistic designs that look great from every angle. Then, you’ll transform your sketches into 3D models and render them in full color on paper. Connect with industry professionals for feedback on your ideas and to get insights into the exciting field of automotive design.

Resident students will live on CCS’s campus in the historic and newly renovated A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education. The dormitories can only be accessed with an authorized CCS ID card. PCSE students must adhere to the residence hall rules, code of behavior and curfew. No PCSE student can be away from campus overnight unless prior written permission from a parent or guardian is pre-approved by the PCS Office. Students are supervised by the Assistant Resident Life Coordinator, CCS Mentors, and Precollege and Continuing Studies staff 24 hours a day.

Over 90% of Precollege Students live on campus during the Precollege Summer Experience.

Commuter students enjoy all the benefits of attending, except they sleep at home. Commuters are required to attend all mandatory classes, open studios, and guest speaker sessions. Commuter students are encouraged to participate in all activities and field trips.

All meals will include options for vegetarians and vegans. Students with special dietary needs or food allergies are requested to note their needs on the PSCE application forms. Accommodations can be made; however, please note that not all dietary restrictions or preferences can be accommodated. All students have access to microwaves and vending machines in common areas. Students with severe food allergies are encouraged to bring supplemental food items with them. CCS kitchen’s do not follow Kosher or Halal practices.

Students requiring a visa to attend should apply no later than April 1, 2026. Visas are issued through the CCS Office of International Student Services. Courses are taught in English. There are no TOEFL requirements to participate.

Most required materials are provided for students; however, there may be specific materials in any concentration that students will require or desire for their work. Families may spend between $50 — $75 on additional materials. CCS’s bookstore maintains a stock of materials. Additional information will be provided in your confirmation packet.

GM has provided a grant to award 45 scholarships to the GM Design Automotive Fellowship. Find out more at: https://www.ccsdetroit.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/transportation-design/gm-design-automotive-precollege-fellowship-program/

CCS also has full and partial grants may be awarded to students based on both merit and financial need available to students. Scholarships are awarded based on criteria set by the institutions providing grant funding. Apply by March 31, 2026. Awards are announced by May 1, 2026 by email or text.

A Special CCS Scholarship Just for You

We’re so confident that our Precollege Summer Experience students are a great fit for CCS that we’ve created a special undergraduate scholarship just for you. If you successfully complete the program with a grade of C or better, you’ll be eligible for a $4,000 PCSE to CCS Scholarship when you enroll full-time after you graduate high school.

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:

• Complete the Precollege Summer Experience (PCSE) with a grade of C or better.
• Be admitted to CCS and enroll full-time in the fall immediately following your high school graduation.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress each year you receive the award.

The $4,000 scholarship will be awarded in $1,000 increments for up to four years.

Please note that the award requires full-time enrollment and will not be prorated for part-time students. The full scholarship amount must be used within six years of your initial start term at CCS.