Are you fascinated by design and considering a career in architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning? The Harvard Career Discovery Program, also known as Design Discovery, at Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) offers an immersive, in-person experience to explore these disciplines. This intensive three-week program provides a unique opportunity to learn from Harvard faculty, build a design portfolio, and gain invaluable insights into the world of design.
Discover Design Disciplines at Harvard GSD
The Design Discovery program at Harvard GSD is a comprehensive, three-week in-person academic program held in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It caters to a diverse audience, from individuals aged 18 and above to mid-career professionals, all united by a common interest in exploring the field of design. Participants choose to concentrate on one of three disciplines: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Urban Planning + Design.
This program delves into the transformative power of design and its profound impact on the built environment. It emphasizes the dynamic interplay between design and the conditions it shapes, focusing on the materials and scales unique to each discipline. Unlike its virtual counterpart, the Design Discovery In-person program prioritizes hands-on learning through physical modeling, material exploration, fabrication techniques, and assembly processes.
Students benefit from the guidance of Harvard GSD faculty, accomplished master’s and doctoral program graduates, and a diverse network of design professionals who participate as guest lecturers and critics.
Successful completion of the program results in a Harvard GSD Design Discovery certificate, a detailed student evaluation, and a draft portfolio showcasing design work. This portfolio can be a valuable asset when applying to design programs, seeking employment in design fields, or presenting to clients and collaborators. It can also be submitted to home school programs for potential course credit.
Apply Here to start your design journey at Harvard GSD.
Program Highlights: In-Person Design Immersion
The Harvard Career Discovery Program offers a focused and intensive learning environment with key features designed to maximize your design exploration:
- Duration: 3 weeks of in-person study in Cambridge, MA.
- Target Audience: Individuals aged 18 to mid-career professionals seeking a design career path.
- Discipline Focus: In-depth introduction to one chosen design discipline: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Urban Planning + Design.
- Hands-on Approach: Emphasis on fabrication and physical model making to understand design principles.
- Expert Instruction: Taught by Harvard GSD faculty and advanced graduate students, ensuring high-quality design education.
GSD Design Discovery 2025 Dates: July 7 – July 25, 2025. Applications open online January 10, 2025.
Choosing Between In-Person and Virtual Design Discovery
Navigating the choices between the Design Discovery In-person and Virtual programs? Here’s a guide to help you decide:
Q: Design Discovery Virtual vs. In-person: Which is right for you?
A: If you are new to design, the Design Discovery Virtual (DDV) program might be an excellent starting point. DDV provides a broad overview of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning + Design, highlighting the unique materials, approaches, and methodologies within each discipline. For those with existing knowledge of these disciplines, the Design Discovery In-person (DD) program offers a deeper dive into a single chosen field. DD requires you to select a specific discipline for focused study.
Consider your learning objectives when choosing. Your media preference – digital or physical – can also guide your decision. If you are interested in digital design tools and global collaboration, DDV is ideal. If you prefer hands-on physical work and immersive studio experience, DD is the better choice.
Q: Can I participate in both programs?
A: Yes! You can enroll in both Design Discovery Virtual and In-person programs. These programs are designed to be complementary, offering distinct learning experiences with minimal overlap. Note that international students for the in-person program must possess a valid U.S. study visa. Separate applications and tuition fees apply to each program. The schedules are designed to avoid conflicts, allowing participation in both.
Q: Is there a recommended order for the programs?
A: No specific sequence is required. You can take them in any order or as standalone experiences. Their complementary nature ensures a rich and varied educational journey whether taken individually or together.
Q: What are the format differences between the programs?
A: Design Discovery Virtual (DDV) offers global accessibility, allowing participation from anywhere in the world. Design Discovery In-person (DD) requires on-site attendance at Harvard GSD’s Gund Hall in Cambridge, MA. International in-person participants need a valid U.S. study visa. Harvard GSD does not sponsor visas for this program; it only accepts visas for students returning to their home institutions after the program. DDV utilizes digital platforms for global interaction and digital media skill development. DD offers an immersive studio environment in Gund Hall with in-person lectures, discussions, and reviews.
Q: What if I am an international student without a U.S. visa?
A: The Design Discovery Virtual (DDV) program is perfectly suited for international students without a U.S. visa. DDV is designed to be globally inclusive and offers a rigorous and inspiring design education. It fosters a strong virtual community and provides engaging workshops to develop digital design skills.
Q: Does the In-person program include housing costs?
A: No, housing is not included in the Design Discovery In-person program tuition. Participants are responsible for arranging and funding their Boston area accommodation. The Design Discovery Virtual program eliminates housing costs, allowing participation from any location.
Q: How does the design content differ between programs?
A: Design Discovery Virtual (DDV) explores how all three disciplines address global challenges through design. Design Discovery In-person (DD) focuses on in-depth study within a chosen discipline through targeted design inquiries.
Q: What materials will I work with in each program?
A: Design Discovery Virtual (DDV) emphasizes digital media, utilizing software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Rhino to explore 2D and 3D design concepts across all three disciplines. Design Discovery In-person (DD) prioritizes physical modeling, allowing participants to investigate material properties and scale within their chosen discipline through hands-on projects.
Who Should Attend Design Discovery?
The Harvard Career Discovery Program attracts a diverse group of individuals, ranging in age, background, and experience. While most participants have no prior design experience, the program’s inclusive environment fosters stimulating interactions and learning. The program is ideal for:
- College students and recent graduates exploring design careers.
- Professionals in their 30s, 40s, and beyond considering a career change to design.
- Anyone curious about design thinking and its applications across various fields.
Each year, Design Discovery welcomes approximately 225 participants. The 2023 program included individuals from 19 countries and 33 U.S. states, creating a truly global and diverse learning community.
International participants in the in-person program must hold a valid U.S. study visa. Harvard GSD does not sponsor visas for this program and welcomes international students without U.S. visas to join the robust Design Discovery Virtual program. Learn more about the virtual program here!
Alumni Success Stories: Design Discovery Impact
Hear from Design Discovery alumni and discover how the program shaped their paths:
Anjerikka Bean
“We all came to the studio at Design Discovery with such different perspectives. We only see what we know as individuals, so our viewpoints enriched one another. In the end, we were all richer for sharing the experience together. In addition to working with a diverse group of students, it was amazing to interact with many great instructors and have access to stakeholders, including local city officials, to whom we presented our final projects.”
- Attended: After first year of doctoral studies
- Design Background: None
- Interest: Urban Planning + Design
- Today: Research Assistant, Howard University Department of Sociology and Criminology; community builder and co-founder of an organization to help rebuild inner-city neighborhoods in Baltimore, MD.
Marcus Mello
“Design Discovery is intense — and completely worthwhile! Its structure and options appealed to me, and the projects were very challenging, but in a good way. I had to stay focused. I learned about design and the grad school experience, and it opened my eyes. Sketching at my desk and out in the field, near Fenway, I started seeing Boston and Cambridge with an entirely new perspective, through the lens of design. Design Discovery also revealed a broader spectrum of design careers. The experience helped me start a portfolio and build a network that advised me when I applied to design schools and pursued a career in architecture. I highly recommend the program.”
- Attended: After sophomore year in college
- Design Background: None
- Interest: Architecture
- Today: GSD graduate with dual Master degrees in architecture and urban planning; works as an architect at Boston Planning and Development Association; has taught at Design Discovery
Svafa Gronfeldt
“When I was young, I wanted to be an architect, and when I turned 50, I revisited this idea through Harvard GSD’s Design Discovery. The experience was even better than I had imagined. Design Discovery promotes design as a way of thinking, a way of approaching decisions, that’s applicable to all aspects of a design-centered career. I’m not aiming to become an architect in a firm, but I don’t have to — I can still be engaged in design. As an instructor at MIT, I help innovators launch and grow their ventures by combining business principles with the principles of design and planning. This new journey integrates my educational background and career experience with the design mentality, which is about problem solving and the constant search for improvement through iteration. This approach is applicable to just about any profession or field.”
- Attended: Mid-career
- Design Background: None
- Interest: Architecture
- Previous Career: Education and university leadership
- Today: EVP at Alvogen and Entrepreneur-in-residence at MIT’s designX innovation accelerator
Jiayu Zhou
“From Design Discovery, I learned that design is not only about drawing or making beautiful models but more about thinking. Studio art involves the exchange of cultures, values, and concepts, which takes design far beyond what we see on floor plans and textbooks. Design is everywhere, and it is influenced by government, law, businesses, and NGOs. Design Discovery helped me understand that architects, landscape architects, and urban planners are leaders in society who cooperate and innovate to improve or even revolutionize that society. As participants in this program, we learned how to design things that are “good” — things that support positive changes in the way people interact, think, and live.”
- Attended: After junior year in college
- Design Background: None
- Interest: Architecture
- Today: College graduate, working in the design sector.
Christian Long
“The ideal Design Discovery candidate is someone who seeks an intense experience exploring how the design mindset can apply to all fields and challenges. The program gave me a tangible opportunity to intensely explore the field of architecture as I was contemplating a career shift. While it helped me realize that I actually didn’t want to become a traditional architect, it did lead me toward significant strategy and visioning roles in the field of school design and architecture. Since then, I’ve started four design studios and have been designing schools and universities around the world.”
- Attended: Mid-career, after graduate school
- Design Background: None
- Interest: Architecture
- Previous Career: Education
- Today: Co-founder at Wonder and founder of a national design camp for young creatives
Immersive Learning Format at Gund Hall
The Design Discovery program is held within the renowned Gund Hall at Harvard GSD, providing an inspiring and dedicated studio environment. Participants fully engage in an intensive “thinking through making” approach. The program balances studio design time with insightful lectures and workshops covering design processes, representational techniques, and fabrication and modeling demonstrations.
This challenging yet rewarding culture immerses participants in the realities of design education and professional practice. Many alumni report feeling inspired and gaining a deeper understanding of design possibilities and their own design interests, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future paths.
Harvard GSD is committed to inclusivity. Participants with disabilities or medical conditions needing accommodations should contact [email protected] at least two weeks before the program starts to ensure timely arrangements.
Studio-Based Learning
Design Discovery studios mirror the intensity of first-year graduate school projects, focusing on short, immersive projects within Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Urban Planning + Design. Studios offer personalized guidance from instructors, group discussions and critiques, training in graphics and model making, and individual presentations to faculty and guest professionals. Participants have access to select facilities within the GSD Fabrication Lab and the Frances Loeb Library, a leading design and planning resource.
Disciplinary Concentrations
As a Design Discovery student, you will actively participate in an iterative design process involving drawing, fabrication, and model making within a studio setting. This process cultivates your ability to translate real-world observations into visual and spatial design language. In-person participants choose one concentration for focused study. Concentration changes are not possible within 3 weeks of the program start. You will receive specialized instruction in the core design methodologies of your chosen discipline:
- Architecture: Focuses on the design of buildings and their contexts, understanding buildings as dynamic elements shaping internal and external environments.
- Landscape Architecture: Deals with the design and preservation of landscapes, ranging from rural environments to urban parks and infrastructure projects.
- Urban Planning + Design: Analyzes and shapes the built environment at the city scale, emphasizing the creation of spaces that meet diverse societal needs.
For more student work and program insights, follow @designdiscoveryharvardgsd on Instagram.
Sample Program Schedule
The schedule below provides an example of the weekly structure. Studio work often extends into evenings and weekends.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday + Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-11:00am Lecture by design or planning professional | 10:00-11:00am Lecture by design or planning professional | 10:00-11:00am Lecture by design or planning professional | 10:00-11:00am Lecture by design or planning professional | 10:00-11:00am Studio Work Time | Studios open during weekend |
| 11:15am-Noon Introduction to studio problem | 11:15am-Noon Design Seminar | 11:15am-Noon Making techniques workshop | 11:15am-Noon Making techniques workshop | 11:15am-Noon Making techniques workshop | |
| Noon-1:00pm Lunch | Noon-1:00pm Lunch | Noon-1:00pm Lunch | Noon-1:00pm Lunch | Noon-1:00pm Lunch | |
| 1:00-6:00pm Review of studio problem | 1:00-6:00pm Studio | 1:00-6:00pm Studio | 1:00-6:00pm Studio | 1:00-6:00pm Studio | |
| Studios open until 12:00am | Studios open until 12:00am | Studios open until 12:00am | 6:30pm Movie screening | Studios open until 12:00am |
Evaluation and Certification
Successful Design Discovery participants receive a written evaluation from their instructor and a certificate of completion from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. While Harvard GSD does not grant undergraduate academic credit, many colleges and universities may award credit for program participation.
Requesting Your Evaluation
Participants receive a digital evaluation after program completion. For a program explanation letter (not an official transcript), email [email protected] with:
- Full Name
- Email Address
- Year of Design Discovery attendance
- Document request: Program explanation letter
- Intended use of documents
Faculty and Program Leadership
Section Instructors
Design Discovery sections are led by advanced GSD students with expertise in their teaching discipline. Sections maintain a maximum of ten students per instructor, ensuring personalized attention. Each section is overseen by current Harvard GSD faculty.
2022 Coordinating Faculty (2025 Faculty to be announced)
Architecture
Urban Planning + Design
Landscape Architecture
Program Directors
Jenny French
Assistant Professor in Practice of Architecture
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Yun Fu
Design Critic in Urban Planning and Design
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Kira Clingen
2023-2024 Daniel Urban Kiley Fellow and Lecturer in Landscape Architecture
Office for Urbanization Affiliate
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Megan Panzano
Senior Director of Early Design Education
Lecturer in Architecture
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Guest Lecturers
Design Discovery invites leading professionals and academics to present lectures and participate in career panels, covering design, history, theory, professional practice, and more. These speakers often engage in informal discussions with students.
Past speakers have included distinguished figures in the design field.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the 2025 Design Discovery Program is $2,800. Participants should budget for approximately $250 in additional materials and supplies.
Payment Policy
A nonrefundable $85 application fee is required for each application. Payment is due by the application deadline for consideration in the 2025 program.
Financial Assistance
Need-based financial aid is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Eligibility is unlikely for applicants (and parents, if applicable) with a combined gross income exceeding $40,000.
Submit a Financial Aid Application Form and required documents by the program application deadline. The form is accessible within the online application.
Note: Financial aid is not federally subsidized and is exclusively for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students are not eligible. Aid applications without a completed program application or late submissions will not be considered.
Tuition and Financial Aid FAQs
Q: Can I pay tuition in installments?
A: Yes. Payment details are in the acceptance letter. Tuition must be paid online by May 2, 2025.
Q: Are parent tax forms required for financial aid?
A: Yes, tax forms from parents are required for applicants under 30.
Q: Can the application fee be waived?
A: No, the application fee is non-waivable.
Q: Is financial aid available for international students?
A: No, financial aid is restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Q: How do I apply for financial aid for the Virtual program?
A: The Design Discovery Virtual financial aid application is integrated into the online program application. Indicate your interest in aid to access the form.
Q: What are the financial aid criteria?
A: Aid is need-based, considering financial circumstances. Awards are unlikely if combined adjusted gross income exceeds $40,000.
Q: Do I need to apply for admission before applying for aid?
A: Yes, the online application is required to access the financial aid form. Submit the aid application before the admissions decision.
Q: When will I be notified about admission and financial aid?
A: Notification emails will be sent by April 28, 2025, according to the program schedule.
Q: Can I apply for financial aid after the deadline?
A: No, late financial aid applications are not accepted.
Q: What does financial aid cover?
A: Aid covers tuition and may include support for a computer device. In-person program aid does not cover housing. See this link for housing information.
COVID-19 Health & Safety
Harvard GSD Design Discovery In-person program participants will adhere to Harvard University health and safety protocols regarding COVID-19.
As of May 11, 2023, the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 ended in Massachusetts and federally. While COVID-19 risks have decreased, the virus remains present.
In-person participants must have health insurance valid in the U.S. covering major illnesses and accidents. Proof of coverage will be required upon acceptance.
Check for updated health and safety guidelines closer to the program dates.
Housing Information
Housing for the Design Discovery In-person program is the participant’s responsibility. Harvard GSD does not offer dormitories for Design Discovery students. Upon acceptance, review provided housing resources and secure accommodation early.
Housing considerations:
- Location: Proximity to Gund Hall and transportation access are crucial due to studio work hours.
- Budget: Cambridge housing can be expensive. Prioritize essential amenities.
- Roommates: Consider sharing with GSD or Design Discovery students. The GSD Housing Facebook Group helps connect with potential roommates.
Housing Resources
[Link to Housing Resources – to be added]
Apply Now
Application Requirements for Design Discovery Virtual program:
- Application Fee: $85 non-refundable fee.
- Statement of Intent: (250 words max) Describe your program goals.
- Resume or CV: (PDF) Include employment, education, activities, honors, publications, etc.
- Academic History
- University Transcripts: Scanned copies are acceptable for application.
- .jpg, .tiff, or PDF Image Files: (Optional) Showcase design work or photography.
- Financial Aid Application: (Optional, U.S. applicants only)
Application Deadlines
| Design Discovery Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Opens | January 2025 |
| Application Deadline (including Financial Aid Applications) | April 21, 2025 |
| Admission + Aid Decisions Sent to Applicants | April 28, 2025 |
| Registration/Tuition Payment Deadline | May 2, 2025 |
| Cancellation Deadline for Full (100%) Refund* | June 30, 2025 |
| Withdrawal Deadline for Partial Refund** | July 11, 2025 |
*Full refund for cancellations by June 30, 2025.
**Partial (50%) refund for withdrawals by July 11, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will admission decisions be released?
A: Admission decisions will be emailed on April 28, 2025.
Q: Can I defer admission to a future program?
A: No, deferrals are not offered. Reapply for future programs.
Q: Do I need to resubmit materials if reapplying?
A: Yes, re-applicants must resubmit all materials.
Q: What are the age and education requirements?
A: Applicants must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Strong academic skills are needed for the rigorous program.
Q: What are the visa requirements for international students?
A: In-person international students need a valid U.S. study visa (not sponsored by Harvard GSD). Virtual program available for those without visas.
Q: How should transcripts be submitted?
A: Upload scanned transcripts through the online application. Official transcripts are not needed for application.
Q: Do transcripts need to be official for application?
A: No, scanned copies (unofficial or official) are acceptable. Official transcripts may be requested later if needed.
Q: Who can I contact for application questions?
A: Contact the Design Discovery office at [email protected].
Q: Is prior design experience required?
A: No, Design Discovery is designed for individuals with little to no prior design experience.
Q: Will I study all three disciplines?
A: Lectures cover all three, but studio work focuses on one chosen concentration. Concentration changes are not possible within 3 weeks of program start.
Q: Will I learn design thinking skills applicable to other fields?
A: Yes, the program emphasizes both design skills and design thinking, applicable across various disciplines.
Q: Is housing provided?
A: No, participants arrange their own housing. See housing resources on the website.
Q: Do I need to bring a laptop?
A: Yes, a laptop is required. Wireless internet is available at Gund Hall.
Q: How do I get a copy of my evaluation?
A: Follow instructions here.
Q: How do I unsubscribe from the mailing list?
A: Email [email protected] with your name and address.
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