COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The elements of design in relation to costume design through a series of historical and problem oriented projects. Emphasis will be placed on imagination, problem solving and growth in both the graphic interpretation and presentation of work.

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES:

Students will, upon completion of this course, have a working knowledge of basic costume design. The students will be able to understand the function of costume renderings and be able to draw and paint costume plates. Students will develop the skills to identify characters by costume through the use of color, line and texture. The students will be able to present costume plates in reference to suitability of problem and character analysis.

Costume Design assignments are eachworth an equal portion of the final grade.
Costume design projects will be graded upon the following criteria:

• A completed costume plot must be submitted for each project(where applicable)or the grade will drop one letter grade.
• Late work is discouraged and will not be accepted.
• Communication of costume concepts through costume renderings.
• Appropriate use of color, line and texture for each character rendered.
• Typed concept statement for each project.
• Effectiveness of oral presentations for each design project.
• Each costume plate will be colored, labeled with fabric swatches attached.

 
• Project #1: Non-realistic/Dance designs
Designs will graded with special attention given to suitability of concept and thorough application of this concept to the characters assigned.
Three costume renderings must be submitted.
• Project #2: Ibsen, Shaw, Chekhov designs
Particular play will be selected by the class. Special attention for this project will be given to the suitability of line, color and texture for each character within the framework of the period specified. Research, accurate fabric and color choices for the period will be of special concern with this project.  Four costume renderings must be submitted.
• Project #3: Tennessee Williams designs
Particular play will be selected by the class.  The application of concept developed by the students will also be of particular concern for this project.  Four renderings must be submitted.
• Project #4: Sheridan, Goldsmith designs
Particular play will be selected by the class. Special emphasis for this project will be the combination of accurate research and the imagination of the student for each character's costume.  Five renderings must be submitted.
• Project #5: Shakespeare designs
Particular play will be selected by the class. Emphasis for this project will be the organization of the design elements for a larger selection of characters. A full, completed color chart will also be required for this project. Conceptual development will also be of special concern for this project.  Eight renderings must be submitted.
• Project #6: Design Exercises
A grade will be determined by compiling grades from:
• Costume Color Chart for Project #5
-appropriate color choices for characters and period.
-color planning of the entire show.
-create a well defined focus using color.
• Research/Swatching Exercise
-select appropriate fabrics for two designs assigned.
-emphasis will be placed on period research with consideration being given to modern fabric choices.
• Texture/Swatching Exercise.
-emphasis will be on creativity used in combining fabric swatches given within the same costume.
-appropriateness of fabrics for garments designed.
• Project #7: Coordination of Costumes for One Act plays
Grade will be determined by:
-cooperation/coordination with student director. (This should mean a few meetings and attendance at a runthrough.)
-cooperation/coordination with costume stock manager and/or costume studio manager. (This will include a fitting for each actor.)
-appropriate use of color, texture and line for each character within parameters given.
-assistance will be given to student directors in returning costumes to stock, making sure costumes are cleaned and ready to be restocked (THR
      2220 Production Techniques: Costume student will be doing the laundry).

ATTENDANCE:

You are allowed three absences. For every absence over one the final letter grade will be deducted one-third. A student will be required to do each design assignment on the assigned day.  It is imperative everyone attend on presentation days .

• sketch pad 12 x 14
• #2 (HB) pencil and eraser at all drawing sessions
• set of cake or tube watercolors
• good quality watercolor brush size 10 or 12 (a smaller brush might be useful for detail
• tracing paper 12 x 14
• good quality watercolor paper
• pastels
• ruler (see through preferable)
• proportional scale

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Cunningham, Rebecca. The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design. New York: Longman, Inc., 1989.
O'Daniel Baker, Georgia. A Handbook of Costume Drawing . Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, Inc., 1992.

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS/READING:
            (Many additional sources are available)

Barton, Lucy. Historic Costumes for the Stage . Boston: Baker Co., 1963.
Boucher, Francois. 20,000 Years of Fashion: The History of Costume and Personal Adornment. New York: Abrams, Inc.,
Grun, Bernard. The Timetables of History: A Horizontal Linkage of People and Events. New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1982.
Payne, Blanche, Winakor, Geitel and Farrell-Beck, Jane. The History Of Costume . New York: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc., 1992.
Russell, Douglas A. Period Style for the Theatre . Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Inc., 1980.
Russell, Douglas A. Stage Costume Design: Theory, Technique, and Style, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1973.