Costume Designer

• No formal education strictly required (but it is considerably more difficult to find employment without a certificate or degree)
• Bachelor’s in Fashion Design or Costume Design is preferable

*Note: Ensure the legitimacy of the design course and university you are attending by speaking with previous graduates to gauge their experience and success following graduation

• Apprenticeship and/or experience
• The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits several relevant college programs
  • Sample course topics include drawing, color science, fashion history, construction and draping, designing for dance, stage, and film, patterns, sewing, knitting makeup, jewelry, styling, special effects, textiles, fabrics, millinery (hat-making), computer-aided design, digital photography, lighting, and writing
• Internships and projects completed during studies should give rise to a portfolio of works that will be used to apply for jobs
• Costume Designers should be familiar with a wide range of production types, from motion pictures and television shows to documentaries, music videos, commercials, and even print ads
• Many designers rely on digital tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Browzwear, C-Design Fashion, CLO 3D, Corel Draw, Digital Fashion Pro, EFI OPTITEX, and Fusion 360

• Specialized training courses or certifications while not necessary, may improve likelihood of promotions or securing more high-profile projects, especially if they are received from reputable fashion institutions like FIDM or Parsons.
• Experience, portfolio, connections and reputation are key for career advancement in the Costume Design industry

• ​​​​​​​Get involved with theatre. Costume departments in productions will always want help with costumes, so there may be plenty opportunities to gain experience as an intern or assistant
• It also helps, in this line of work, to be a decent artist, so you may want to engage in some art or sketching classes
• It is not strictly necessary to know how to sew, but this skill is very desirable in the costume design trade and it is not very difficult to pick up. For example, classes may be taken at little to no cost at Jo-ann Fabric and Craft Stores.
• Experimenting with design and sewing will also help you get acquainted with important basic fabric rules, i.e. which fabrics support each other and can be used together.
• Other valuable experiences involve any kind of set experience, for example as a Personal Assistant, since it will expose you to the pace and expectations of working on a movie or TV set.
• Stock up on courses in art, design, photography, sewing, film, math, finance, and marketing 
• Look for college programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• Work with local school or community productions in their costume departments
• Watch films, TV shows, music videos, commercials, etc., and pay attention to what the performers wear
• Study historical fashion designs from around the world. Popular eras in Western Civilization include the Renaissance, 18th Century, Victorian Era, 1920s Art Deco, the 1940s, and 1960s
• Read scripts to get a feel for characters and how their personalities might be expressed through their attire
• Become familiar with key players such as directors, set designers, lighting and sound crew, performers, and members of the design and costume teams (and dramaturgs, in some cases)
• Get practical experience by designing and making costumes 
• Learn how to use popular clothing design software 
• Publish your costume design/fashion portfolio online. Include mood boards, sketches, photos, notes on your process, and reviews or interviews
• Share your work as much as possible on social media
• Advertise your freelance Costume Design services in the local area or online 
• Keep honing your skills and reviewing trends 
• Network as much as you can with industry insiders and don’t lose their contact info
• Apply for Costume Design intern jobs, fashion internships, or assistant positions until you land one!
• Study trade magazines and video tutorials (see our list of Resources > Websites)
• Watch (or read) interviews with Costume Designers
• Consider having your color vision tested to ensure you’re able to see the full spectrum of colors
• Work with independent filmmakers on smaller projects. Volunteer if they don’t have a budget to cover your salary!
• Join professional organizations to expand your network as you learn and build your reputation