Design and Motorsport Summer Camp for Young People in Italy: What to Expect?
Parents of young people with a genuine interest in cars reach a specific point in their research: they realize their child doesn't just want to admire automotive design, but wants to understand how it comes to life. When this question arises, Milan and Turin emerge as the most sensible combination for a summer program with real technical substance.
The vocational summer camp for youth that structures this learning is residential, lasts two weeks, and is open to students aged 15 to 18 with an English level of B1 or higher. The operational base is in Milan, the capital of industrial design, and the program includes structured excursions to Turin and Motor Valley, the two historical hubs of the Italian automotive industry.
Why is Turin an essential stop on the program?
Turin holds the title of the historical capital of the Italian automotive industry, and the program includes an immersion dedicated to the city for what it represents in the training of any automotive designer.
The visit includes Italdesign, a studio founded by Giorgetto Giugiaro, responsible for the design of icons like the VW Golf and the Maserati Bora, and the National Automobile Museum, which presents the timeline of the Italian automobile in a way no textbook can replicate.
Anyone developing a car concept for the first time absorbs much more about automotive identity by stepping into the place where it was built than by attending a theoretical class on the subject. For young people who are building a career in automotive design and motorsport, this immersion in Turin is when the program's technical vocabulary gains a living industry reference.
The visit to Motor Valley completes the circuit, with a visit to Pagani Automobili, where high-precision craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology coexist in the same production space.
What do students learn in the two weeks?
Those without prior design training won't be lost: the curriculum is organized into 3 progressive modules, with a total of 30 hours of classes and labs. Each module supports the next, and by the third, students will have the foundation they need to work with clay with technical precision.
The third module is where technique and industry meet. What young people learn about electric mobility at the summer camp integrates this final block, with concepts of autonomous and electric vehicles that become part of the student's practical repertoire as they model the project in clay.
The Creative Journey from Paper to Clay at the Summer Camp details how each curriculum phase connects to the next, including the pace of transition between manual sketching and three-dimensional work.
What is the daily routine like at the summer camp?
Parents who need to understand the daily structure before deciding often ask the same question: how does their child spend the 14 waking hours? The program is residential, with accommodation at Aparto Residence in the center of Milan. Each student has a private room with a bathroom, kitchenette, access to a gym, study rooms, game areas, and evening supervision by house parents.
The daily class schedule follows this sequence:
- 10 AM to 11 AM: First class of the day
- 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM: Second class
- 1:45 PM to 4:30 PM: Lab activities (with a break)
- 5 PM to 7 PM: Excursion or external cultural activity
- 8 PM to 10:30 PM: Dinner and organized evening activities
Three meals a day are included in the residential program, along with insurance and 24/7 supervision. Evening activities bring together participants from all concurrent programs, ensuring an international experience from day one.
What is the deliverable at the end of the two weeks?
Those who complete the two weeks do not submit an exam. Instead, they deliver a complete automotive concept developed by themselves, with technical guidance from industry professionals.
The final deliverable includes three items:
- Refined sketches of the automotive concept
- Digital render of the project using professional software
- 1:10 scale clay model of the vehicle
The final project of the automotive design summer camp results in three concrete deliverables presented at the program's conclusion, with technical guidance from industry professionals. For young people planning to apply for design courses later, this portfolio offers a unique advantage that online courses cannot replicate.
The automotive and automotive design exchange program in Italy covers, in addition to the studio weeks, full logistical support, from flight planning to assistance during the stay, so that families don't have to manage every operational detail.
Who is this program for?
Parents considering this program often share similar profiles: their child follows car launches, distinguishes the visual identity of different brands, and wants to understand how things are created, not just how they are admired.
The only technical prerequisite is B1 English. No prior design training is necessary: the first module is dedicated to building the foundation of technical sketching from scratch.
Automotive design and mechanical engineering have distinct career profiles, and the summer camp serves as a practical test before making a university decision: students experience the creative approach of design before committing years of education to a field they haven't yet explored from the inside.
For those planning for the medium term, a career in automotive design for young people begins with exactly this type of portfolio, built in an international context, with guidance from industry professionals.
Frequently asked questions about the industrial design summer camp
Does the program operate in Turin or Milan?
The program is based in Milan, where the sketching, rendering, and clay modeling labs are located. The excursion to Turin, including visits to Italdesign and the National Automobile Museum, is part of the third module of the curriculum. Motor Valley, with a visit to Pagani Automobili, is also included in the excursion schedule.
What level of English is required to participate?
The minimum requirement is B1 (intermediate). All classes and labs are conducted in English, and automotive design technical terminology is covered from day one as part of the curriculum.
What is included in the residential version?
Accommodation at Aparto Residence in central Milan (single room with private bathroom and kitchenette), three meals per day, all lab materials, access to professional software, excursions included in the curriculum, certificate of completion, insurance, and 24/7 supervision with house parents at night.
Is prior experience in drawing or design required?
No. The program starts with fundamental sketching techniques for beginners. Students without prior training can follow the curriculum and deliver the final project with three deliverables: a sketch, a digital render, and a 1:10 clay model.
What does the student gain for their resume at the end of the program?
The main asset is the portfolio featuring the automotive concept developed during the two weeks: refined sketches, a digital render, and the scaled clay model. For applications to automotive design courses, this material serves as a practical demonstration of creative and technical ability developed in a professional environment.
Be Easy: Boutique Exchange Consultancy
Be Easy supports families who want to give their child a real advantage before college. If your child is interested in automotive design or motorsports, we have the expertise to guide them in building this path in the right environment and city. To understand the available options and speak with a dedicated senior consultant, contact us.
