Costume Designer

Job overview
Costume designers design, sketch patterns for and sew clothing or costumes to be used onstage in theatrical shows - plays, revues, musicals etc or before the TV or film studio cameras.

Designers will be working to certain specifications but have to use their imagination and skills in creating special visual effects.

What do people do in this job?
Costume designers must first familiarise themselves with the particular show, play or musical and then make suitable designs.

They may also be required to draw patterns and make the costumes themselves.

The process of costume design requires research and frequent adaptation, until both designer and producer are satisfied with the results.

Next, the designers must transfer their ideas of what the costumes should look like, into practical working drawings and technical sketches, accompanied with small material samples.

This requires a fair knowledge of pattern drafting, an understanding of materials, knowledge of sizes of stock items and the cost factor.

Costume designers must liaise with the relevant departments in order to ensure that the style, colour combination and general visual effect of costumes, set, props and make-up is co-ordinated.

Then fittings have to be organised.

Throughout the whole process deadlines are all-important, until finally all the various activities culminate in the dress rehearsal - when everything is brought together for the first time.

Here the success or failure of the many weeks of planning and hard work can be seen.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Costume designers must be practical and creative, able to translate their ideas into practical wearable costumes.

They also need plenty of patience and to be able to work alongside other people in situations that can become stressful and frustrating at times.

What qualifications are needed?
There are no formal qualifications, although diplomas in costume design might be obtainable in the world's larger cities.

The abilities to sketch, cut out cloth and sew are obvious requirements.