Costume Design

Inspiration & Exploration

Costume design is about using clothing to tell a character's story. Start by watching behind-the-scenes costume featurettes on YouTube — search "costume design documentary" or look for segments on films you love. Notice how colors, silhouettes, and textures reveal personality: a villain often wears dark, sharp shapes; a free spirit might wear flowy, warm colors. Visit the Utah Film Center or check their free screenings where you can study film costumes up close. Browse Pinterest and Instagram with terms like "costume design" and "theatrical costume." Start a visual inspiration folder — save images of costumes that excite you and note what specifically you like about each one. You're ready for the next step when you can look at three costumes and explain what each one says about the character wearing it.

Tools & Techniques

Learn the practical tools and vocabulary of costume design. Watch YouTube tutorials on "fashion sketching for beginners" and "costume design basics." Learn key terms: silhouette (the overall shape), drape (how fabric falls), and palette (the color story). Practice drawing simple figure sketches called "croquis" — these are elongated body outlines designers use to sketch costume ideas quickly. Search YouTube for "croquis template costume design" for free downloadable templates. Learn the difference between woven fabrics (structured, like denim) and knit fabrics (stretchy, like jersey). Visit a fabric store like JOANN in SLC to feel different materials. Free tools like Canva help you build mood boards. You're ready for the next step when you can sketch a basic costume idea on a croquis and name three fabric types you might use.

First Creations

Design your first complete costume concept — on paper, not sewn yet. Choose a character: a fairy tale figure, a superhero, a historical person, or a character you invent. Write a one-paragraph character description first, then ask: what would this person wear? Sketch at least three different costume options for your character on croquis templates. Choose the strongest one and create a full costume design sheet: a front and back sketch, a color swatch panel, and fabric notes. Visit a thrift store like Deseret Industries in SLC to look for existing pieces that match your concept — thrifting is how most designers start. You're ready for the next step when you have a completed costume design sheet for one character that someone else could understand without your explanation.

Style Development

Now develop your design voice by working on a connected set of costumes. Choose three characters who exist in the same world — a play, a film, a story you invent — and design a costume for each. Your designs should feel visually related (shared color palette or silhouette language) while making each character distinct. Research how professional designers create "costume bibles" — a document that tracks all costumes in a production. Watch the YouTube series "Costume Design with [any working designer]" for real-world process. Try sourcing actual garments from thrift stores for one character to build a physical version of your design. You're ready for the next step when you can explain how your three designs relate to each other visually and what story each one tells.

Refine Your Craft

Refine your designs through research and feedback. Study historical fashion to understand how silhouettes have changed across eras — this is essential knowledge for period-accurate costume work. YouTube channels like "Bernadette Banner" and "Karolina Zebrowska" make fashion history entertaining and educational. Choose one of your designs and research it deeply: what era, culture, or aesthetic does it draw from? Revise your sketches based on that research. Share your design portfolio with a local theatre company or school drama department — Utah has many community theatres that welcome aspiring designers. Ask for specific feedback on whether your designs read clearly from a stage distance. You're ready for the next step when you've revised a design based on research and can explain your historical or cultural references.

Portfolio Piece

Create a polished costume design portfolio piece: a complete three-character costume design package for one production. This could be a scene from a play, a short film concept, or an original story. Include for each character: front and back croquis sketches in color, fabric swatches or descriptions, notes on sourcing or construction, and a brief character-costume rationale. Organize everything into a clean PDF or physical portfolio. Share it with a local SLC theatre — Pioneer Theatre Company and Plan-B Theatre both work with emerging designers. Submit to a high school or community production as a volunteer costume designer for real experience. You're ready for the next step when you have a complete, organized three-character portfolio you'd feel confident showing a professional director.