Fresh off the Beaten Path: Costume Design

Published on 2008-04-22

Scouring job sites for an opportunity to apply your talents in art and design in the field of entertainment? Love fashion as much as you love Silver Screen, television and theatre productions? Costume design may be just what you're looking for in your career search.

Costume Design: What Exactly Is It?

A division of fashion design, costume design, according to the Costume Designers Guild, is dedicated to "[creating] the look of a character" in film, television or theatre. Costume designers are an integral part of the production team behind a filmed or live performance and are responsible for developing wardrobes which may, in addition to clothing and accessories, also include wigs, hair and in some cases, make-up.

Personality Profile: Is Costume Design Right for Me?

Those who are well-suited for art jobs like costume designing are, in general, highly creative and innovative, possessing an impeccable eye for detail, color, balance and beauty. In addition to requiring a strong sense of artistic vision, sketching, sewing and pattern-making abilities are also requisite for success in costume design. Costume designers are notoriously sharp, quick, resourceful and adaptive because like most entertainment industry jobs, costume design is best suited for those who work well under pressure and in the face of nearly constant change. Since they play such an important and highly visible role in the execution of the director's vision, costume designers must be strong communicators and meticulous researchers. And because productions involve large numbers of contributors, costume designers must have strong leadership and teamwork skills and the savvy to know how to balance those skills productively.

Education, Training and Experience: How Do I Become a Costume Designer?

Like most who work fashion jobs, costume designers typically hold a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and/or an associate's degree in fashion design which can be earned at one of the many private design institutes in the country. Programs of study in fashion design typically focus on topics like textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, fashion trends, drawing, computer-aided design, sewing and pattern-making.

Costume Design: Where Would I Work?

Aspiring costume designers often begin their careers as interns or assistants to costume designers or may start by working as costumers, wardrobe supervisors and assistant costume designers. As with the majority of professionals working jobs in entertainment, costume designers tend to work on a freelance basis, moving from production to production. Additionally, residential appointments with theatre companies or studios may also be options. Designers interested in teaching jobs might consider academic appointments teaching their craft at colleges or art and design schools. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2006, the highest concentrations of fashion designers held jobs in California and New York. Since the entertainment and theatre industries have the strongest footholds in these two states, many costume designers also hold California and New York jobs as well.

The Future for Costume Designers

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports slower than average job growth for fashion designers in general, as long as entertainment productions continue, talented and persevering costume designers can enjoy compensation for their artistic efforts. For costume designing and many other exciting job opportunities in your area, explore Jobs on Fresho.com.