The Design Discovery Virtual short course at Harvard University Graduate School of Design invites creatives to work on urban architecture and design briefs through the digital medium.

Design Discovery Virtual (DDV) is a three-week virtual academic programme that engages a global audience interested in an introduction to design, media and methods across the three disciplines of architecture, landscape and urban planning and design.

Must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent. US and international citizens are invited to apply.

The programme explores the potential of design to address a series of contemporary issues within the built environment.

Programme participants benefit from a collaborative, cross-disciplinary lens on the development of design responses to weekly topics through visual communication with an emphasis on digital media for design drawing and modelling.

Participants are also exposed to the wide range of perspectives about the built environment that this programme's global audience offers.

School: Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Course: Design Discovery Virtual
Type: Short course
Location: Online
Course dates: 8 to 26 June 2026
Application deadline: 20 April 2026

Applications to this course have now closed.

What will I learn during this course?

– Digital modelling
– Digital rendering
– 3D design
– Spatial analysis
– Thinking-through-design

What are the requirements?

– Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or the equivalent
– US and international citizens are invited to apply

What facilities and resources are available?

– Access to the Adobe Creative Cloud, Rhino3D modelling software and a library of course materials
– A physical supply kit mailed to participants

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

In addition to the skills and knowledge gained, successful participants receive a programme certificate, student evaluation and produce a draft portfolio of design work that can be shared with design programme admission committees, potential design employers, collaborators, clients or school programmes for course credit consideration

Who teaches this course?

– Jenny French, coordinating faculty in architecture
– Yun Fu, coordinating faculty in urban planning and design
– Slide Kelly, coordinating faculty in landscape architecture

Dezeen Courses

Dezeen Courses is a service from Dezeen that provides details of architecture, interiors and design courses around the world. Click here for more information.