Students enrolled in Da Vinci Design are preparing for college and 21st century careers in digital media, engineering design, industrial design, product design, and other jobs that call for skills in art, science and technology.

Da Vinci Design engages students in a rigorous and relevant college preparatory curriculum that uses hands-on, project-based learning to give lessons real-world context and meaning.

Students learn not only academic content but also the vital 21st century skills – including design thinking, creativity, innovation, collaboration, service, and problem-solving – they need to become the next generation of design leaders and entrepreneurs.

Examples of recent projects include redesigning skateboard backpacks and creating Flash animation movies to learn about motion and shape.

Da Vinci Design has partnerships with many local design leaders, including Otis College of Art and Design, Mattel, Belkin International, The Getty, Northrop Grumman, Art Center College of Design, Gensler, and Siltanen & Partners, that offer job shadowing opportunities, internships, mentoring and project support to help students master the real-world skills and knowledge that do not appear in the California content standards. In October 2010, Da Vinci Design students participated in a two-day Design Symposium to introduce them to the wide range of career opportunities available to them and to show them the design process in action. Students visited the workplaces of The Getty, Otis, Belkin, Northrop and Gensler, then retuned to campus to participate in a product redesign challenge sponsored by Belkin.

To learn more, please visit our Results + Recognition web page.

Students enrolled in Da Vinci Design have many opportunities to explore design beyond their core classes. Seminar classes include Product and Industrial Design, Toy Making, Web Programming, Game Design, Fashion Design, and Design Industry Competitions. Additionally, students can take Introduction to Engineering Design, a year-long college-level class for college credit that is offered in collaboration with Project Lead The Way.

Student progress is measured and assessed through traditional tests and quizzes, public presentations of learning, exhibitions, and digital portfolios.