• Save $150 with code MAKE
    At camp, we don’t just play games, we make them! Register and save on a game-changing camp or academy today.
    At camp, we don’t just play games, we make them! Register and save on a game-changing camp or academy today.

    CODE: MAKE

    Camp empowers gamers to go from playing games to designing and coding their own, while building skills for a bright future.

    Enter code MAKE at checkout for:
    • $150 off camps & academies
    • $100 off virtual camps
    • $15 off private lessons

    Ends March 31, 2024. $150 off applies only to on-campus camps and academies. $100 off applies only to virtual camps. $15 off applies only to packs of private lessons. Promo code may be used once per child per program. Promo code can not be applied to previous purchases or combined with other offers.
  • Refer a friend, save $25

    Register for camp and invite friends! You'll earn a $25 credit for each new referral, and your friends save too!

    Register for camp and invite friends! You'll earn a $25 credit for each new referral, and your friends save too!

    Refer a friend and save $25. Your friend will save, too.

    Once you register for an online or on-campus program, you'll receive a unique Refer-a-Friend code that can be shared with up to ten friends. You'll earn a $25 credit for each new referral, and your friends will save, too!

    Please note:

    • Students you refer cannot have previously attended an online or on-campus program with iD Tech.
    • Referrals must be made prior to the date your friends' sessions start. 
    • New students must enter your unique Refer-a-Friend referral code at the time of registration.
    • Refer-a-Friend savings does not apply to Online Private Lessons.
  • Add a course, save $50

    Save $50 when you buy a second camp or course, whether it’s in another topic or for another child!

    Save $50 when you buy a second camp or course, whether it’s in another topic or for another child!

    Automatically save $50 when you add courses or siblings!
    Pay standard tuition for one student to attend a small-group program and receive $50 off for each additional course or sibling.
    Note: You have the flexibility to add additional courses and siblings at any time during the qualifying term. Your automatic savings will be applied, provided the same account is used for all purchases. Automatic savings do not apply to Online Private Lessons.

  • Register now, pay later

    Spread the cost of camp out over time with a payment plan. Get started today for as low as $250!

    Spread the cost of camp out over time with a payment plan. Get started today for as low as $250!

    Payment plans available, for as low as $250!

Pixel Art Creation

  • Price: Starting at $399
  • Age: Ages 7-9
  • Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
  • Format: Virtual Tech Camps | Small-Group, Online
  • Duration: Meets daily for 2 hours Monday-Friday

About This Course

From the dawn of video games to digital illustrations that unfold into intricate animations, pixel art is a source of unlimited creativity. With Piskel, you’ll take the leap as a pixel artist—design character sprites, animate character movement, and imagine a world of colorful environments. Then, bring it all together using visual code in Scratch to design a game with elements such as variables and platforming mechanics. With the press of a key, players will run and jump through a level filled with your characters, collectibles, and animated sprites!

Tools: Piskel, Scratch by MIT Media Lab

Topics Covered

  • Design character sprites and pixel art
  • Create frame-by-frame animation
  • Implement custom assets and collectible items in a game

Course Format

This course is part of a weeklong virtual summer camp running Monday through Friday. Your child will learn online with a small group of other students, in sessions led by expert instructors. Each day includes two hours of live instruction and peer collaboration plus two hours of self-paced project development. Learn more below. 


Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in this course could look like. Keep in mind students will progress at varying paces, and this is meant to serve as an outline of key materials and the overall experience. 

Begin with the fundamentals of pixel art design in Piskel. Students will utilize the program’s tools to create vivid, colorful characters on a 2D canvas.

Next, they’ll begin brainstorming ideas for a game that they’ll design with pixel art assets they create in Piskel. Students will design a unique collectible item that fits into the world they’ve envisioned.

Building off their initial concepts, students will create the final character design for their game and animate a walking sprite that’ll move when the player presses the left or right arrow keys.

Welcome to Scratch! In a visual coding editor designed by MIT, students will import their pixel sprites and customize a 2D game with code blocks and sounds.

To wrap up, students will playtest and polish their final projects and present all the work they accomplished throughout the week!

Portfolio-Boosting Transcript

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an official iD Tech transcript outlining the skills they learned over the course of the week.

Elite Staff & Experienced Instructors

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your child. 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 child 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

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FAQ

Pixels are tiny dots that make up an image, and so good pixel art relies on clarity and simplicity. With fewer options and limited color palettes, kids can keep focus with the art, and carefully-crafting their animations. 

Learning to code can seem intimidating at first, but Scratch removes that barrier for kids. With adorable characters and straightforward block-based coding, Scratch is the ultimate introduction to the wide world of programming!

While we are proud to offer world-class experiences on many of the world’s most prestigious university campuses, we also recognize that many families need the flexibility of quality virtual learning! It’s with these families in mind that we’ve adapted the core elements of our flagship camps to an online format with our Virtual Tech Camps. 

Like our on-campus programs, Virtual Tech Camps feature structured small-group sessions led by expert instructors. Each week includes live teaching of our signature, cutting-edge curriculum, plus peer collaboration, social time, and independent project work. To complete the experience, our Virtual Tech Camps incorporate all the magic of summer camp including games, challenges, and legendary iD traditions!

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.

To run this online course with iD Tech, students will need a Mac or Windows computer (no Chromebooks, unless otherwise specified), a webcam, and a stable internet connection with access to Zoom video conferencing. Additional info on course-specific installation requirements will be communicated after registration.

As courses frequently sell out, we recommend registering early to secure your child’s spot. You can make unlimited changes - with no fees - up to 14 days before the start of your session. If you need to cancel, you will receive a refund of the amount paid, less the payment plan fee (if applicable) and the deposit of $250 per week. No refunds are provided for cancellations made within 14 days of the start of your session.

Our Online Private Lessons offer 1-on-1 learning with our inspiring instructors, curriculum customized to your child’s needs, and a full range of STEM and other academic topics. It's as simple as selecting a lesson package and topic, and then choosing an instructor to schedule a 60-minute lesson at the date and time that works best for you. 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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