designExplorr

Ideas become real when students have the right tools.

From learning Figma to creating their own digital designs, our Summer Academy participants are gaining experience that prepares them for tomorrow's creative careers.

🚨 Scholarship Alert!

Planning a career in welding or a related trade? The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation is accepting applications for its Welder Training Scholarship.

💰 Scholarship opportunities available

National Scholarships: $2,500–$10,000+
District Scholarships: $1,000–$2,500+
Section Scholarships: $1,000–$3,000+

📅 Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

This scholarship is open to students who are enrolled—or planning to enroll—in welding or related training programs at trade schools, community colleges, or other approved training facilities.

🔗 Learn more and apply:
https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/scholarships

Save this post and share it with someone pursuing a career in the skilled trades! 🔧🎓

Design starts with curiosity.

Throughout CSU Design Week 2026, students challenged themselves to think differently, collaborate with confidence, and bring their ideas to life. Every sketch, discussion, and creative challenge was an opportunity to discover new possibilities and build skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

The future of design is bright—and it's just getting started.

A look back at one of our favorite days from CSU Design Week. ✨

Students explored CSU's Creativity and Arts Center, took on a hands-on design challenge, and got their first experience using Adobe Illustrator—one of the industry's leading design tools.

More importantly, they discovered that design is about more than making something look good—it's about solving problems, thinking creatively, and bringing ideas to life. It was inspiring to see students collaborate, ask thoughtful questions, and grow more confident with every challenge.

Experiences like these are what make design education so impactful. 💡

No strict agenda. No limits on imagination.✨

Today’s “You Pick, We Teach” sessions let students dive deeper into the creative skills that inspired them most throughout the week, while open lab time gives them the freedom to experiment, ask questions, and continue bringing their ideas to life. Sometimes the best ideas happen when you have the freedom to explore and today is all about doing just that.

One of our favorite moments from CSU Design Week was watching students discover that branding starts with who you are. ✨

Using Adobe Illustrator, they created designs inspired by their own personalities, interests, passions, and unique perspectives. Along the way, they learned that every color, font, shape, and design choice helps tell a story.

More than creating graphics, they explored how design can communicate identity, ideas, and purpose. It was inspiring to see each student transform their creativity into something meaningful and uniquely their own.

The best brands are authentic—and these young designers reminded us of that every step of the way.

Today’s lesson proved that design doesn’t have to stand still.

Students explored motion graphics, learning how movement, timing, and animation can completely transform a design. Combined with another round of Adobe Illustrator, they continued building technical skills while thinking creatively. The day wrapped up with presentations from professional architects, reminding students that design lives everywhere from our screens to the buildings around us.

The energy today was unmatched.

Students continued building their Adobe Illustrator skills, stepped into the world of motion graphics, and heard directly from professional architects about how creativity impacts the communities around us. From digital design to the built environment, today’s conversations reminded students that creativity has no limits.💯

One workshop. One conversation. One idea. Sometimes that’s all it takes to inspire the next generation of designers.

Looking back on another incredible day from CSU Design Week. ✨

For many of our students, it was a day filled with firsts—their first campus tour, first design challenge, and first time opening Adobe Illustrator.

Every click, every question, and every "Can I try this?" was a step toward building confidence. It wasn't about creating something perfect—it was about being curious, trying something new, and discovering what they're capable of.

That's what CSU Design Week is all about: creating opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and see themselves as future designers.

Last week, our students continued expanding their creative toolkit!

The day began with Adobe Illustrator and motion graphics, where students discovered how movement can transform a simple design into a powerful visual story. As they experimented with animation, they explored how motion communicates emotion, captures attention, and brings ideas to life. Every activity encouraged them to think beyond static images and embrace new ways of visual storytelling.

"I never thought I would enjoy myself this much." ❤️
— CSU Design Week Student

In the afternoon, students learned from professional architects who shared how creativity, collaboration, and design shape the buildings and communities we experience every day. Watching students ask thoughtful questions and connect classroom concepts to real-world careers was one of the highlights of the week.

Looking back, CSU Design Week was filled with moments of curiosity, creativity, and discovery—experiences that will continue to inspire our students long after the week ended.