3D Printing Academy: Design & Build a Product Line

  • Price: Starting at $5,299 (payment plan available)
  • Age: Ages 13-18
  • Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
  • Format: iD Tech Academies | Small-Group, On-Campus
  • Duration: Two-week program

Premier Teen Program

Designing a product is step one. Turning it into a business is the next. In this two-week academy at iD Tech, start with a quick run on the 3D printer to see what it can do, then step back and think like an entrepreneur.

Research what people already buy, spot what’s missing, and define exactly who you’re designing for. Map out your direction with your instructor, then sketch product concepts in Photoshop and model them in Blender. Print your first prototypes and put them in front of your peers as test consumers: what would they buy, and what would they change? Use that feedback to grow one design into a full product line with your team, like a wearable fashion brand or a set of articulated toys with moving parts. Then, build the business around it: create your brand’s logo and identity, plan how you’ll market to your target consumer, and build a website to showcase your product gallery.

Open for business at the Launch Party, setting up a pop-up storefront of your prints and pitching your products to family and peers. Earn your iD Tech Academy diploma and transcript, and come away with a product line and business concept ready to go to market.

You'll learn to:

  • Research the market and define your target consumer
  • Sketch concepts in Photoshop and model products in Blender
  • Print prototypes and test them with peers as hypothetical consumers
  • Develop a product line, like articulated toys with moving parts
  • Create a brand identity, marketing plan, and product website
  • Pitch your products from a pop-up storefront at the Launch Party

Course Format 

This course is part of an intensive 2-week summer program running Monday through Friday (overnight at most locations with the option to stay the weekend within the two weeks). Your teen will learn in a lab on an inspiring university campus with a balanced daily schedule of assignment-driven workshops and outdoor/recreational activities. Courses are led by experienced instructors in a small-group setting. Learn more below. 

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what each week in the course could look like! Please keep in mind that students will progress at varying paces; this is a general outline of key material and the overall student experience.

Team up with your peers to concept and build a multipiece installation, such as a miniature cityscape or a themed product line. You’ll plan and sketch designs in Photoshop, then transfer them to 3D with Blender. You’ll print prototypes and gather feedback, preparing to go into full production in the second week.

Establish a brand and business plan with your teammates, and conceive a product line for your capstone. Expanding on the skills you built in the first week, you’ll design a variety of products like articulated toys, wearable fashion, or whatever fits your business best. Then, design a portfolio website to showcase your brand and product gallery. Finalize everything in a structured business pitch with your peers and display your products at the iD Tech Academy Launch Party.

Portfolio-Boosting Diploma & Transcript

At the conclusion of your teen's course, they will receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript outlining the skills they learned over the session—which can help boost high school, college, and internship applications.

Get advice from our experts

Our goal is to make planning and registering easy, so you can focus on what matters most—giving your teens a summer to remember. Our team of experienced Program Specialists can answer any and every question, including finding the perfect location and course for your teens. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com. 

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your student. With 25 years of experience, we know there's no replacement for the best teacher. Each year iD instructors go on to be hired by the most prestigious tech companies in the world like Google, EA, Disney, Microsoft, and more. When your student learns from the best, they’ll unlock opportunities to become their best. 

  • 100% USA-based, adult instructors

  • Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU

  • Rigorous background and reference checks

  • Robust training programs and certification

  • Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

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FAQ

iD Tech Academies offer intensive, assignment-driven programming workshops in various course topics including machine learning, game development, robotics, and more. Programs are designed to be a rigorous, pre-college experience that provides industry insights for teens interested in pursuing STEM fields in college or as a career.

All graduates will leave their academy with a portfolio tailored to their course topic - which is invaluable for college applications, internships, and jobs - along with their iD Tech Diploma. 

Everything from cars and smartphones to thermostats and gaming consoles are tied to robotics and mechanical engineering. Whether your child dreams of becoming a Hardware Designer at Apple or an Aerospace Technician at NASA, robotics camp teaches the skills required to make it a reality!

iD Tech instructors are recruited from top universities, but more importantly, they are elite mentors who understand teens, share their interests, bring first-hand experience, and serve as real-life role models for what the future holds. They are trained extensively in-person (and virtually) to differentiate engaging content to campers’ needs, connect to each teen, and inspire them to pursue their dreams. 

Yes, this course is designed for beginner to advanced students. Our small class size ensures that each student receives individual attention and has the freedom to learn at their own pace.

In addition to specialized skills, teens leave their academy with a new network of friends and mentors, resilience, critical thinking opportunities, and official certification that stands out to admissions officers. At the conclusion of the academy experience, teens will receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript outlining everything they learned during the program. 

They'll also take home all the 3D-printed pieces they designed and printed for their product line, plus their digital prototypes and brand website for their portfolio. They'll receive a limited edition iD Tech t-shirt, stainless steel water bottle and sling bag.

Yes! Every iD Tech experience contributes toward leveling up along the iD Tech Pathway. This course is worth 4,667 XP— learn more about the iD Tech Pathway here.

Yes! You can register today for as little as $460 per student, and pay the balance in convenient monthly installments. 

You can also save by registering for multiple sessions (save $50 when you buy a second course in another topic or for a sibling), or by inviting friends to join at camp (earn a $25 credit for each new referral; your friends save $25 too). 

With our weeklong summer camps, teens can strike the perfect balance between STEM skill development and summer fun, experiencing collegiate life and learning on-campus at a prestigious university. (Overnight options available at select locations.)

Additionally, with online programs including private lessons and virtual camps, there is a program that fits your teen’s interests, skill level, goals, and importantly, schedule. Learn more.

Our Program Specialists are here to provide you with the best experience. Looking for a personalized course recommendation? Need help signing up? We’ve got you covered. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com. 

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