Associate Certificate In Costume Design

Course details

This practical course will give students an excellent grounding in the key skills required by Costume Designers. The Associate Diploma in Fashion Design has been specifically developed by experienced professional costume designers to teach participants the process of costume design as well as working as part of a Film, TV or Theatre production. Students will work with real production scripts to develop costume designs as part of the course. This course is suitable for those with or without experience in Costume / Fashion Design and is also suitable for hobbyist clothing / dress makers.

Course Description

The course combines fashion design theory and practical design classes to allow students apply the theory as they progress through the course.

Course Content

Stage 1: First four weeks of programme

Introduction to Media and Costume Theory:

• The starting point - The parameters set by script and theme
• Script, Concept and Theme Analysis and Development
• The function of Costume Styling
• The role of the designer as facilitator to characterisation and storytelling
• History and appreciation of Costume design and Styling
• Costume and fashion and uneasy alliance - Fashion as a costume tool
• Body shape, analysis, colouring in terms of casting and building a character
• Researching on all fronts
• Research Methods – using primary and secondary sources
• Analytical and observational rendering and note taking.

Stage 2: Remaining 6 weeks of programme

Practical Costume Design and Realisation:

• Presenting and selling costume concepts and ideas coherently
• Illustration techniques and rendering cut and Fabric detail
• Clear diagrammatical instruction to makers and costume staff

Wardrobe Management:

• Wardrobe organization, setup and maintenance
• Understanding production paperwork
• Script Breakdown
• Costume Plotting
• Costume Continuity

Collaboration with Production:

• Communicating and negotiating productively
• Planning, Budget, Accounting
• Facilities organization
• Sourcing, Staffing
• Collaboration with Crew

In Production:

• Running the show! Planning day to day in production
• Wardrobe staff roles and pecking order

Course Outcomes

Upon completion students will:

• Understand the role of the Costume Designer in Film, TV and Theatre production
• Have learned the core skills required by a Costume Designer
• Have gained experience of developing Costumes for a production script
• Have started their portfolio of high quality costume designs

Assessment

This course is assessed through continuous assessment and project work.

Certification

On successful completion of this programme participants will receive a Dublin Institute of Design Associate Certificate in Costume Design.

Entry Requirements

• Applications from Ireland
• International Students (EU)
• International Students (NON-EU)