The Snap Academies are nine week, paid summer training program hosted by Snap Inc., the makers of Snapchat. As a Snap Lens Academy Scholar, you will immerse yourself in a professional creative environment designed to make you internship-ready. If accepted, you’ll get the opportunity to:
- Learn from Snap team members shaping products used around the world
- Build meaningful connections with dedicated Snap mentors
- Create standout portfolio pieces and expand your professional network
- Elevate your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Immerse yourself in a dynamic, nine-week Snap-designed curriculum built for your future in the tech industry
Our Snap Lens Academy is looking to build a cohort of 15 aspirational Scholars with solid professional experience in 2D design software and creative design development (including but not limited to illustrations, 2D and 3D assets, Snap Lenses, graphics, mock-ups, videos, etc.). Experience with or exposure to 3D design software and Javascript or any other programming language is a huge plus. This academy will provide Scholars with the opportunity to participate in custom, technical workshops, fireside chats, and receive mentorship from Snap Inc. team members.
Quick Facts:
- Receive an academy payment for participation and completion of the nine-week program and academy-related expenses
- Designed for community college (or recent transfer) students
- Spend Monday - Friday learning from June 15, 2026 to August 14, 2026
- Snap Lens Academy is held virtually via Zoom
- 15 Scholars for each of the four Snap Academies
If you’re passionate about learning, then we’re talking to you!
What you'll do:
- Use core Lens Studio capabilities to make your Lens concepts into reality
- Prepare assets (2D, 3D, audio, multimedia) for import into Lens Studio in the appropriate format and accompanying software (Illustrator, Blender, etc.)
- Incorporate the design thinking process to plan and iterate the Lens experience from the user’s perspective
- Articulate your own creative artistic expression, its relationship to technical execution, and the inherent tension between expression and execution
- Serve as a Snap Academy ambassador for future cohorts!
Eligibility and Pathways:
- The Snap Academies are designed to provide professional pathways for Scholars who have traditionally faced systemic barriers to entry in the tech industry. We welcome applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
- Community College Pathway: You are a current community college student or have recently transferred to a four-year institution.
- Expansion Pathway: You are a current four-year university student and identify as Opportunity Youth (this includes individuals with lived experience in the foster care system, the juvenile justice system, or those who have experienced housing insecurity).
- Important Note: Due to the specific mission and funding of this program, we are unable to consider applications from four-year university students who do not fall under the "Expansion/Opportunity" designation.
- Beyond the educational pathways above, all Scholars must meet the following participation requirements:
- Age: Must be 18 years or older.
- Enrollment: Must be a currently enrolled student with a graduation date no sooner than Fall 2026.
- Attendance: Must be available for the full nine-week duration (June 15 – August 14, 2026) and able to participate virtually, Monday through Friday, 9:30 am - 4:40 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST).
- Connectivity: Must have access to reliable and consistent wifi to participate in daily programming.
Our ideal Academy Scholar cohort member is:
- Aligned with Snap Inc.’s mission, values and voice. Learn more at www.snap.com
- Demonstrates expertise with at least one 2D design software (Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, Procreate, Inkscape, etc.)
- Has examples of their creative designs (including but not limited to illustrations, 2D and 3D assets, Snap Lenses, graphics, mock-ups, videos, etc.)
- A creative with a passion for design and augmented reality
- Familiar with digital and social media platforms and emerging trends
- Comfortable presenting ideas and receiving feedback in group environments
It's a bonus if you have:
- Experience with 3D design software (Maya, Blender, Qlone, SolidWorks, Unity, etc.)
- Experience with or exposure to interactive elements in design through coursework, job settings, personal projects, or online courses
- Dabbled in Javascript or any other programming language where you have a basic understanding of code (don’t need to be an expert)
