Costume design sounds interesting!
Are you picturing this....
But all you can do right now is this....
How do you know if costume design is right for you?
What Do They Do?
Create wearable art that tells a story
Translate scripts and clothing descriptions into characters we love
Innovate with new fashion and technology
Create clothing we cannot imagine yet
Influence trends with their creations
Lead teams to design and produce costumes on a budget
Collaborate with directors, set designers, and hair and makeup artists
Antonio Wingfield brings lavish Mardi Gras costumes to life!
What Might A Typical Day Look Like?
Meet with writers and directors to understand their vision for a character costumes
Many meetings (10+) before a final decision
Design and sew a 1890 men's shirt with 7 buttons, tails, and a hidden monogram
Sew 100 more shirts for a scene in a ballroom
Create a wedding dress set in the year 2500 on Mars
Make a fire-resistant and colour-changing dress
Ensure that a team of 5-20 people works seamlessly to meet tight deadlines
Just a few examples of the outfits you might craft!
Quiz
Does sewing 1000 beads on a dress seem like a project you would like to do?
But Will It Pay The Bills?
Canada: Average yearly salary for a Costume Designer is $53,625
USA: Average yearly salary for a Costume Designer is $58,887
You Will Love It if....
Your imagination is your greatest strength and you want to develop it even more.
You are willing to put in years of hard work in a competitive field.
You have a strong interest in sewing, fabrics, and earning a degree in this subject.
Ruth Carter, the first African American Oscar Winner for Best Costume Design, in 2019 for Black Panther:
Look For Another Career Path If...
You are not comfortable working any time of day to meet tight deadlines.
You are not willing to do hard, sometimes repetitive work for days or even weeks.
You do not like researching random historical periods, techniques, and cultures.
You do not like being behind the scenes.
Costume design is...
99% this...
Quiz
Is becoming famous important to you?
Take Action
Do you already have some of the skills needed?
Have you decided to be a costume designer?
Here is a guinea pig to look at while you think! How ridiculous would they look without a costume?
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