Costume Designer
OFO No:
What is a Costume Designer?
Costume Designers create the look and fashion for characters in film or stage productions.
Every item an actor wears has been thoroughly planned by the Costume Designer and may have even been sewn/created by the designer’s own hands.
The art of Costume Design is to create a wardrobe for the actors that realistically represents each character’s personality and role.
Additionally, if the production is set in a certain time period, the Costume Designer must create garments that are historically correct to that time period.
As key members of the production team, Costume Designers must creatively collaborate with directors, technicians, and hair and make-up artists.
What does a Costume Designer do?
- reads scripts
- collaborates with the production team for design concepts
- researches historical periods, if necessary
- creates a ‘ costume plot’ – the breakdown of every item of article worn by each character, including the extras (non-speaking characters) in each scene
- gets approval from design and production team
- draws full colour sketches of the costumes
- prepares a budget
- chooses and purchases fabrics and materials for sewing garments
- purchasing already manufactured garments to be worn
- attends fittings and dress rehearsals
Are you … ?
- an excellent sewer?
- interested in plays or film?
- artistic, creative, imaginative?
- patient?
- highly organized?
- able to work well with others?
- confident?
- someone with good research skills?
How do I become a Costume Designer?
Most Costume Designers have a background in fashion design. See job description below for training.
- THE DESIGN SCHOOL SOUTHERN AFRICA
Offers a 3 year Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design
- INSCAPE DESIGN SCHOOL
Offers a 3 year Bachelor of Design
- UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
National Diploma: Clothing Management
National Diploma: Fashion Design
BTech Degree: Clothing Management
BTech Degree: Fashion Design
MTech Degree: Clothing Management
MTech Degree: Fashion Design
TRAINING:
- CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
- Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
- To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education.
- CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
Youtube example of costume designing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FfvX8LP5MY
OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Fashion Designer … or … Textile Designer
Is becoming a Costume Designer the right career choice for me?
