Create Your Own T-Shirt – A Hands-On Design Workshop

Ever wanted to create your own custom-designed t-shirt? Now’s your chance! The Center for Future Innovators (CFI) is hosting a hands-on T-Shirt Workshop on Sunday, March 16, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, where students will learn graphic design fundamentals and custom shirt-making techniques using Canva and Cricut.

This event is perfect for beginners—no prior experience needed! Students will digitally design their t-shirts, program a CNC machine to cut their designs from vinyl, and heat-press their finished creations onto fabric. This workshop is a great introduction to design software, hands-on crafting, and digital fabrication, all while making a one-of-a-kind t-shirt just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

At CFI, we believe in putting the "A" in STEAM education by integrating Art with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This workshop is a perfect example of how creativity and technology come together, giving students the skills to design, build, and express their unique ideas through wearable art.

What Will Students Learn?

During this interactive workshop, students will:✅ Learn the basics of digital design using Canva on a tablet or computer.✅ Create their own t-shirt design from scratch—no pre-made templates!✅ Cut their designs using a Cricut vinyl cutter, learning how to prepare their artwork for transfer.✅ Use a heat press to apply their designs onto fabric.✅ Take home a completely unique, self-made t-shirt!

This workshop provides students with valuable real-world design skills, including an introduction to vector graphics, digital composition, and hands-on production techniques.

Workshop Format

The session follows a structured learning approach to ensure each student fully experiences the entire design process:

1. Introduction to Graphic Design – Students will learn key design principles, including silhouette art, negative space, and typography. They will explore how to create eye-catching visuals that translate well to fabric printing.

2. Hands-on Canva Tutorial – With instructor guidance, students will use Canva to digitally design their own St. Patrick’s Day-themed t-shirt. They will experiment with shapes, fonts, and images to create something personal and fun.

3. Vinyl Cutting with Cricut – Students will send their digital designs to a Cricut cutting machine, which will precisely cut their artwork into vinyl sheets.

4. Heat Press Transfer – Using a professional-grade heat press, students will apply their cut vinyl onto a green t-shirt, ensuring a permanent and polished design.

5. Finishing Touches & Take Home Designs – At the end of the session, students will take home their custom t-shirts, along with a digital copy of their design for future use.

What’s Included?

👕 Two green t-shirts (size selected during registration).

🎨 High-quality white vinyl design created by the student.

🖥️ Use of tablets/computers and Cricut vinyl cutters during the workshop.

📁 A digital copy of the design to use or print again in the future.

🔥 Step-by-step instruction from expert CFI instructors.

💡 Want to make more than one design? Additional shirts are available for $15 each, so students can create extra t-shirts for family or friends!

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is designed for students of all skill levels, whether they are first-time designers or already have an interest in art and technology. It’s a great activity for kids interested in:

●      Graphic Design & Digital Art

●      Crafting & DIY Projects

●      Product Customization & Business Ideas

●      Technology & Digital Fabrication

Parents are also welcome to join the fun and learn alongside their child!

Why This Workshop?

Learning graphic design and digital fabrication at an early age develops critical 21st-century skills that are useful for future careers in art, engineering, and business. This workshop is an exciting way to introduce students to:

🎨 Creative Thinking – Learning how to visualize ideas and translate them into functional designs.

💻 Digital Literacy – Gaining hands-on experience with Canva and Cricut, industry-standard tools used for graphic design and custom production.

⚙️ Hands-On Making – Seeing the full process of product creation, from design to manufacturing.

👕 Personal Expression – Creating something unique and wearable, showcasing creativity and individuality.

Event Details & Registration

📅 Date: Sunday, March 16

⏰ Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM

📍 Location: CFI Bridgeport Center, 3500 S Morgan Street

🎟️ Cost: $40 per student (includes one student t-shirt and one parent t-shirt)

📌 Extra Shirts: $15 per additional t-shirt

Register Here

Limited seats available! This workshop is expected to fill up quickly, so don’t wait—register now and bring your creativity to life!