Costume Design

The costume design emphasis combines a rigorous sewing program with industry-specific design courses, preparing students to work in theater and film. Students are given the opportunity to gain practical experience through collaboration with the School of Motion Pictures & Television and the School of Acting.

BFA
MA
MFA

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What We Teach

Construction/Draping

We’ll guide you as you learn to develop your design work into a pre-collection. You’ll be taught the principles of manual grading and working with a life fit model, and learn about work production patterns for industry. You’ll also gain new construction and finishing techniques.

Costume Design for Stage and Film

Learn how to break down a script and create character identity through costume by creating mood boards, color stories, and illustrations. You will also learn how to create a “look book” for actors—an essential skill in the costume design industry.

Costume Sewing Techniques

Learn the essential cutting and sewing techniques that will prepare you for the apparel industry. Hand finishing techniques and machine sewing techniques in wovens will be taught as well, together with their application.

Makeup: Street & Special Effects

Learn all aspects of creating realistic, contemporary street makeup, as well as how to handle special cases such as creating character, special effects, and medical makeup.

Costume Design Degrees

The Costume Design degree program at Academy of Art University combines a rigorous sewing program with industry-specific design courses to teach both the technical and conceptual sides of costume design.

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Student Work

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Connie Su

Fashion

Huizi Li

Fashion

Jasmin Santiago

Fashion

Miya Chuang

Fashion

COMPANIES THAT HAVE HIRED OUR GRADUATES

Liberal Arts

The Liberal Arts Program provides students with a holistic education covering the arts, humanities, and sciences. Courses highlight connections between the subject of study and the major fields of art and design, providing context to the larger world of art and design.

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Foundations

The Foundations curriculum heightens perception and understanding of visual structure through the study of drawing, modeling of form, value structure, perspective principles, color, and design theory.

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Liberal Arts<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"sub-section\"> <\/div>"},"learning_outcomes":{"label":"Program Learning Outcomes","slug":"learning_outcomes","content":"Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:<\/p>Research and Concept Development<\/strong><\/p><ul>\t<li>Produce creative and original designs<\/li>\t<li>Select design concepts appropriate for the customer or audience<\/li>\t<li>Generate ideas that are coherently related to the chosen concept<\/li>\t<li>Conduct thorough design research<\/li>\t<li>Demonstrate evidence of trialing and self-editing designs<\/li>\t<li>Propose designs that are possible to translate from 2D to 3D<\/li><\/ul>Visual Presentation Skills<\/strong><\/p><ul>\t<li>Create professional and organized presentations that reflect an individual\/personal style<\/li>\t<li>Effectively communicate design concepts and philosophy two-dimensionally<\/li><\/ul>Technical Skills<\/strong><\/p><ul>\t<li>Work effectively with industry standard software<\/li>\t<li>Demonstrate technical proficiency in design communication<\/li><\/ul>Verbal and Written Presentation Skills<\/strong><\/p><ul>\t<li>Clearly express ideas utilizing industry vocabulary<\/li><\/ul>Professional Readiness<\/strong><\/p><ul>\t<li>Create a relevant and original portfolio and collateral materials which can be used to market themselves to the industry<\/li><\/ul>Costume Design Skills<\/strong><\/p><ul>\t<li>Demonstrate advanced skills in alterations, distressing, and quick rigging of costume pieces for theatrical productions<\/li>\t<li>Effectively document and apply director\/cast\/crew feedback to costume designs<\/li>\t<li>Prepare a legible, organized production bible including all relevant charts, documents, and photographs<\/li>\t<li>Maintain consistency in the costume looks and actors’ hair and makeup for the entire production<\/li><\/ul>"}}" data-employment="{"url":"","text":"VIEW GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION"}">

Graduate Liberal Arts<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>"},"learning_outcomes":{"label":"Program Learning Outcomes","slug":"learning_outcomes","content":"Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:<\/p>Costume Design Skills<\/p><ul>\t<li>Conduct research to develop creative concepts and build a visual story<\/li>\t<li>Demonstrate a consistent level of design quality from pre-production through the shooting of the film or rehearsal process in live performance art<\/li>\t<li>Conduct specific research based on a given script that shows a clear understanding of the costume needs for the story<\/li>\t<li>Design costumes that support the needs of the story and characters<\/li>\t<li>Communicate design ideas 2-dimensionally using traditional and digital media<\/li>\t<li>Develop a 2D design concept into fully realized 3D costumes for a production<\/li>\t<li>Apply advanced 3D design techniques to create clothing to a professional standard<\/li><\/ul>Professional Readiness<\/p><ul>\t<li>Produce a cohesive portfolio tailored to reflect career goals<\/li><\/ul>"}}" data-employment="{"url":"","text":"VIEW GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION"}">

Graduate Liberal Arts<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>"},"learning_outcomes":{"label":"Program Learning Outcomes","slug":"learning_outcomes","content":"Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:<\/p>Costume Design Thesis<\/p><ul>\t<li>Create a body of work that will be built into a portfolio, representing an advanced level of achievement, targeted towards the film industry or other performance arts productions<\/li>\t<li>Conduct research to develop creative concepts and build a visual story<\/li>\t<li>Demonstrate a consistent level of design quality from pre-production through the shooting of the film or rehearsal process of a live production<\/li>\t<li>Conduct specific research based on a given script that shows a clear understanding of the costume needs for the story<\/li>\t<li>Design costumes that support the needs of the story and characters<\/li>\t<li>Communicate design ideas 2-dimensionally using traditional and digital media<\/li>\t<li>Develop a 2D design concept into fully realized 3D costumes for a production<\/li>\t<li>Apply advanced 3D design techniques to create clothing to a professional standard<\/li><\/ul>Collaboration<\/p><ul>\t<li>Collaborate effectively to produce creative projects<\/li><\/ul>Professional Readiness<\/p><ul>\t<li>Create a relevant and original portfolio and collateral materials which can be used to market themselves to the industry<\/li><\/ul>"}}" data-employment="{"url":"","text":"VIEW GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION"}">