Students
Learn by creating and build skills that last.
At the da Vinci Center, learning goes beyond the classroom. You’ll explore how creativity and problem-solving connect to your field, from health and business to art, engineering, and beyond.
Here, you can prototype ideas, work on real-world projects, and build the skills employers value most: collaboration, innovation, and the confidence to take on complex challenges. Whether you’re testing an idea, joining a design jam, or earning a digital badge, you’ll grow as both a thinker and a doer.
Step into creativity with hands-on experiences that turn imagination into action. Whether you’re sketching, building, or testing, every moment of play helps you learn by doing. Here’s how to start exploring:
Time: Under 2 hours
Get hands-on with creativity in beginner-friendly workshops on Design Thinking, LEGO® Serious Play®, or Prototyping. Build confidence, meet collaborators, and earn a digital badge to show your new skills.
Time: 4 Weeks
The Shelfie Program is your creative playground at Shift Retail Lab. Bring ideas to life, test them with real customers, and refine your designs in a hands-on, supportive space. Gain career-ready skills in storytelling, iteration, and customer discovery, earning four digital badges along the way.
Time: Flexible, short modules
Explore free, self-paced online courses in Design Thinking, Prototyping, Pitching and Storytelling or Business Model Canvas. Learn creative tools on your schedule and earn badges to showcase your progress.
Turn creativity into action through projects, credit, and professional experience. Whether you’re earning academic credit, designing your own project, or gaining real-world experience, these opportunities help you build skills that make an impact. Here are some pathways:
Time: 8-15 weeks
Enroll in innovation-focused classes that blend creativity, systems thinking, and collaboration across disciplines. Apply design thinking to real-world challenges while earning academic credit.
Time: Flexible
Work with a mentor to shape your own innovation project. Whether it’s a product, service, or community idea, we’ll help you refine your goals and connect to a faculty advisor who can support your journey. Email us at davincicenter@vcu.edu with a brief description of what you have in mind.
Time: Flexible
Take your creative skills further through:
- VCU Continuing and Professional Education for short workshops and certificates to grow career-ready skills
- VCU Career Services to refine your resume, find internships, and connect with employers
- Handshake to browse hundreds of creative jobs and internships
- Parker Dewey Micro-Internships to partner with real organizations on short, paid projects coordinated by the da Vinci Center
Turn curiosity into community. Join events, share ideas, and connect with others who are building, designing, and dreaming alongside you. Here’s how to get involved:
Time: Flexible, short modules
From Feedback Fridays and Demo Days to design jams, da Vinci events are where ideas come alive. Meet innovators, share your work, and find new collaborators.
Monday–Wednesday, 12–3 p.m.
Shift Retail Lab, 1235 W Broad Street
Drop in for quick design challenges and creative activities. Meet new friends, chat with da Vinci staff, and explore how creativity connects across campus. No RSVP needed.
Host a showcase, pop-up, or event at the Shift Retail Lab (1235 W Broad Street) - a dynamic space designed for creativity and collaboration.
Get the latest workshops, design challenges, and stories of creativity from the da Vinci Community delivered straight to your inbox.
Not sure where to start?
We’d love to help you find your next step and explore ways to get involved. Email us at davincicenter@vcu.edu.