Media & Design at HSA
Develop ideas through drawing, painting, illustration, animation, filmmaking, comics, game design, and digital media.
Ideas become images, stories, and worlds.
HSA’s Media & Design program brings traditional visual-art foundations together with contemporary creative technology. Students build skills in drawing, painting, illustration, animation, film, comics, coding, and game design.
Through hands-on projects and guidance from industry professionals, young artists learn to communicate visually, collaborate with others, and develop the confidence to carry an idea from first sketch to finished work.
Grow from fundamentals to a finished portfolio.
Students begin with core visual language, branch into specialized media, and progress toward ambitious pre-professional projects.
Young Artists
Build foundations in color, shape, line, observation, storytelling, and introductory digital creation through drawing, painting, picture books, mixed media, and coding.
Specialized Programs
Explore animation, comic-book art, digital painting, filmmaking, and other focused disciplines while continuing to strengthen drawing and composition.
Advanced Programs
Create fully developed projects in animation, comics, commercial art, film, murals, and game design while preparing portfolios for specialized schools, college, and creative careers.
Tuition fees and policies for private lessons
Private lessons give students focused time to strengthen technique, develop a portfolio, or pursue an individual project. Tuition is determined by lesson length and the number of sessions selected. Confirm final pricing and availability with HSA before registering.
Swipe horizontally to view the complete tuition table.
| Duration | 8 weeks of private lessons | 16 weeks of private lessons | 32 weeks of private lessons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | $520 | $1,040 | $2,080 |
| 45 minutes | $675 | $1,310 | $2,537 |
| 60 minutes | $780 | $1,518 | $2,912 |
Media & Design class catalog
Open a level to compare visual art, animation, comics, filmmaking, coding, and game-design classes. Select a course name to continue to registration.
Swipe horizontally to view all course details.
Beginner
| Course | Days | Time | Dates | Location | Instructor | Grades | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Drawing & Painting for BeginnersClass Full – Waitlist Available
Entry-level drawing and color basics. |
Sat | 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM | 9/19 – 1/23 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 B | Kobeszko, Magdalena | 1–3 | $500 |
|
Sculpture, clay, paper mache for young students. |
Thu | 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM | 9/24 – 1/28 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 B | Schaul, Lynn | K–2 | $500 |
|
Students write/illustrate/print their own picture book. |
Sat | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | 9/19 – 1/23 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 B | TBD | 1–3 | $575 |
Intermediate
| Course | Days | Time | Dates | Location | Instructor | Grades | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Animation: An Introduction To Moving ArtPrep Track
Foundational animation across traditional, digital, stop-motion. |
Sat | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | 9/19 – 5/29 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 A | Gardel, Tatiana | 5–12 | $1,150 |
|
Comic/strip creation from character design to panels. |
Sat | 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM | 9/19 – 5/29 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 B | Madera, Justin | 2–6 | $1,150 |
|
Digital illustration basics in Photoshop/Procreate. |
Sat | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | 9/19 – 5/29 | Harlem School of the Arts, 233 | Madera, Justin | 2–6 | $1,000 |
|
Composition, observational drawing, basic anatomy. |
Sat | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | 9/19 – 1/23 | Harlem School of the Arts, 111 | Akhmetova, Aika | 4–9 | $500 |
|
Coding/design fundamentals via Minecraft. |
Sat | 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM | 9/19 – 1/23 | Harlem School of the Arts, 232 | Fouron, Christine | 4–6 | $575 |
Advanced
| Course | Days | Time | Dates | Location | Instructor | Grades | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Studio-style animated short film production. |
Sat | 12:30 PM – 02:00 PM | 9/19 – 5/29 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 A | Gardel, Tatiana | 8–12 | $1,150 |
|
Same as above, Tuesday section. |
Tue | 04:30 PM – 06:30 PM | 9/22 – 5/25 | Harlem School of the Arts, 233 | Kim, Daniel | 8–12 | $1,150 |
|
Advanced Comic Book CreationPrep Track
Full comic book production. |
Fri | 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM | 9/25 – 6/11 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 B | Madera, Justin | 7–12 | $1,275 |
|
Advanced Commercial Arts ProductionPrep Track
Commercial art/printmaking into sellable products. |
Thu | 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM | 9/24 – 6/10 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 B | Kobeszko, Magdalena | 9–12 | $1,275 |
|
Advanced Techniques in the Visual ArtsPrep Track
Portfolio-focused advanced techniques. |
Sat | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | 9/19 – 1/23 | Harlem School of the Arts, 111 | Akhmetova, Aika | 7–12 | $575 |
|
Film Making and EditingPrep Track
Cameras, lighting, sound, Adobe Premiere editing. |
Wed | 04:30 PM – 06:30 PM | 9/23 – 5/19 | Harlem School of the Arts, 233 | Johnson, Lindsay | 9–12 | $1,225 |
|
Video game design fundamentals and Unity. |
Sat | 11:30 AM – 01:30 PM | 9/19 – 1/23 | Harlem School of the Arts, 232 | Fouron, Christine | 9–12 | $638 |
|
Mural Painting and CreationPrep Track
Researching, designing, and painting murals off-site. |
Sat | 02:30 PM – 04:30 PM | 9/19 – 5/29 | Harlem School of the Arts, 208 B | Providence, Azekiwe | 8–12 | $1,275 |
HSA’s Media & Design team can help identify the right class level and creative pathway for your child.
Build work that belongs in the world.
Industry partnerships, collaborative studios, and project-based programs connect developing artists to contemporary creative practice.
Video Game Creators
Beginners and experienced students use Unity to design an original world, develop game mechanics, and build a playable project they can showcase.
Comic Creators Partnership
Advanced Comics students receive workshops, mentorship, and industry insight from WEBTOON artists and editors while developing character design, panel composition, and original digital-comics storytelling.
Group Visual Art
Animation, cinematography, and mural programs create studio environments where students work together on ambitious projects at HSA and in the wider community.
Private Media & Design Lessons
Focused private study helps students address specific technical goals, develop a portfolio, or move an independent creative project forward without classroom distractions.
Every medium begins with a strong visual idea.
Students connect drawing, composition, storytelling, and design thinking across painting, comics, animation, filmmaking, murals, coding, and interactive media.
Learn from working artists and designers.
HSA teaching artists bring professional experience in illustration, animation, filmmaking, comics, painting, design, and digital production into every studio and media lab.
Create at HSA.
Browse the Media & Design catalogue or contact our team for help choosing the right visual-art, digital-media, or design pathway.
Frequently asked questions
What opportunities do you offer for young artists?
For students ages 8–17 who dream of pursuing the arts as a career, HSA offers HSA Prep and HSA Pre-Prep. These programs provide advanced artistic training in a supportive environment and help young artists build skills, confidence, and portfolio-ready experience.
How do you determine the right class level for my child?
Our department directors evaluate each student’s current skills, interests, and experience so they can recommend a class that feels both challenging and supportive.
Does my child need prior art or technology experience?
No. Beginner offerings introduce foundational skills, and the Video Game Creators program welcomes both beginners and experienced students. Intermediate and advanced catalogue listings indicate when prior experience or a stronger technical foundation is expected.
What does the academic calendar look like?
HSA’s academic program generally runs in two 16-week terms. Some Media & Design classes meet for one term, while full-year and Prep Track classes continue across both terms; review each catalogue listing for exact dates.
Do you offer classes for younger artists?
Yes. Beginner classes include Mixed Media Intro to 3D for grades K–2, Drawing & Painting for Beginners and Picture Books Reimagined for grades 1–3, and additional introductory options for elementary-age artists.