Course Overview
The Environmental & Interior Design summer pre-college program introduces high school students to design principles and methods focused on the built environment. Through the exploration of the art and architecture of environmental design, students will learn about the expanding practices of interior architecture, interior design, and spatial design. This program uses the city as a laboratory to investigate the historical, cultural, and behavioral impacts of design.
Students work closely with faculty to develop research, ideation, iteration, and making skills within a broader context. Individual exercises engage form, space, time, and movement in a project developed through a structured conceptual process. Field documentation, drawing, diagramming, and model-making are supplemented by group discussions of contemporary issues impacting the built environment. Projects include both two- and three-dimensional works employing line, shape, color, texture, and space essential for college admissions portfolios intended for a range of design disciplines.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript.
Course Objectives
- Improve awareness in the environmental design and interior design
- Expand and improve your design portfolio for college application
- Improve your design skills in both 2D and 3D works
- Experience the Environmental and Interior Design program at entry level
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: SCN 033
Format: On Campus (at Syracuse University)
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior status – or a 2022 high school graduate.
Credit: NC
Grading: Pass/Fail
- Residential: $3,585
- Commuter: $2,730
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – On Campus: Experience what college is really like: take a college-level course, live in a residence hall, have meals with friends in a dining hall, and participate in activities and events on campus.
“Syracuse University Summer College was a real eye-opening experience for me. I’ve always been interested in design, but truth be told I didn’t know much at all about it. In my Environmental and Interior Design class, I picked up more information and tips and tricks than I ever expected going in. I’m taking a design course in school this year, and I’m already far ahead of the rest of the class because of the knowledge I gained over the summer. Professor Lee was so kind as well as the TA’s and they never hesitated to give us as much help as possible.”
— Nina L., Summer College Environmental and Interior Design Student, 2020
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – On Campus | 2-Week Session II: Sunday, July 17 – Friday, July 29, 2022 | MTWThF 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Noncredit | Closed |
Course Requirements
Required Supplies
Students should budget for required textbooks and supplies.
Student Expectations
Students are expected to have high energy, an open mind, and be ready to see and examine environment with a new perspective!
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
Students must attend class Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with a break for lunch.
- Mornings – design fundamental lectures, assignment review, in-class exercises
- Afternoons – digital skills, lab session
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College – On Campus activities to meet and connect with other students! Check out our On Campus Experience page for more information!
End Event
A final poster session will occur on the last day of class. Students will perform a presentation of their design. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Faculty Bios
Seyeon Lee, PhD – Assistant Professor, School of Design
Seyeon Lee is an assistant professor in the School of Design. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Lee taught foundation design studios at the Texas A&M University School of Architecture. Before entering academia, she worked as an architectural and interior designer and project manager in the offices of Clifford Planning and Architecture (Hawaii) and MG2 (Seattle) for over fourteen years. Lee’s professional portfolio includes residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and urban planning projects in the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. She is a NCIDQ certified interior designer and a LEED Accredited Professional.
Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental design, a master’s degree in architecture from Montana State University, and a Ph.D. in architecture from Texas A&M University. Her Ph.D. research focused on developing instructional strategies to improve and strengthen design education with learning objectives that include cost as an integral design determinant. Her research interests engage community architecture with an emphasis on sustainable and affordable architectural design and planning with a special focus on housing affordability.