Profession costume designer

Costume designers develop a costume design concept for a performance, a movie or a television program. They supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. Costume designers develop sketches, design drawings, patterns or other documentation to support the workshop and performance crew.  

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Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Skills

• Research new ideas

  Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.

• Adapt to artists' creative demands

  Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.

• Show sample garments

  Deliver sample garments to sales representatives. Schedule meetings at fashion shows to demonstrate sample garments.

• Sew textile-based articles

  Sew different products based on textiles and wearing apparel articles. Combine good hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and physical and mental stamina.

• Develop design concept

  Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.

• Safeguard artistic quality of performance

  Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.

• Keep up to date on costume design

  Visit textile showrooms, read fashion magazines, keep up-to-date with trends and changes in the world of fabrics and designs.

• Draw up costume sketches

  Draw sketches of costumes and clothing accessories; note specifications such as size, material type and colour scheme.

• Monitor sociological trends

  Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.

• Analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions

  Analyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production.

• Perform quality control of design during a run

  Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.

• Collaborate with designers

  Communicate and collaborate with fellow designers in order to coordinate new products and designs.

• Analyse a script

  Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.

• Analyse score

  Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.

• Examine sample garments

  Examine sample garments; alter designs of sample garments.

• Design wearing apparel

  Use analytical skills, creativity, and recognise future trends in order to design wearing apparel.

• Understand artistic concepts

  Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.

• Present detailed design proposals

  Prepare and present detailed design suggestions for a specific production to a mixed group of people, including technical, artistic and management staff.

• Verify feasibility

  Interpret an artistic plan and verify whether the described design can be executed.

• Draw up costume patterns

  Draw and cut out costume patterns using scissors and measuring instruments.

• Define costume materials

  Define and assign costume materials and fabrics.

• Communicate during show

  Efficient communication during live performance, anticipate any possible malfunctioning.

• Gather reference materials for artwork

  Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.

• Monitor developments in technology used for design

  Identify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.

• Develop design ideas cooperatively

  Share and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design fits with the work of other designers.

• Use communication equipment

  Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Work safely with chemicals

  Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.

• Analyse the scenography

  Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.

• Define costume fabrication methods

  Define costume manufacturing methods and techniques.

• Coach staff for running the performance

  Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.

• Conduct costume research

  Ensure that costumes and pieces of clothing in visual artistic productions are historically correct. Conduct research and study primary sources in literature, pictures, museums, newspapers, paintings, etc.

• Identify target markets for designs

  Identify different target markets for new designs, considering factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.

• Propose improvements to artistic production

  Assess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.

• Adapt existing designs to changed circumstances

  Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.

• Apply fashion trends to footwear and leather goods

  Be able to stay up to date on the latest styles, attending fashion shows and review fashion/clothing magazines and manuals, analysing the past and present fashion trends in areas such as footwear, leather goods and clothing market. Use analytical thinking and creative models to apply and to interpret in a systematic way the upcoming trends in terms of fashion and life styles.

• Supervise costume workers

  Coordinate and direct costume workers in the process of drawing, cutting and sewing costumes and samples.

• Select costumes

  Find the right costume for a certain role and actor.

• Synthesise clothing with accessories

  Purchase new or second-hand clothing and a variety of accessory items, as is needed to complete designs.

• Translate artistic concepts to technical designs

  Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.

• Update design results during rehearsals

  Updating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB