Master the art of costume design in our comprehensive Costume Design Program. Our curriculum is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in this dynamic field.
From foundational costume construction to advanced techniques, you’ll delve into the intricacies of fabric manipulation, pattern drafting, and garment assembly. Our experienced faculty will guide you through the historical context of costume design, inspiring your creative vision and enabling you to bring characters to life.
Beyond the creative aspects, we’ll also empower you with practical business skills. Learn how to build a sustainable career as a costume designer, from networking and marketing to understanding industry standards and copyright laws.
Enroll today and master the art of costume design at the AMUA!
Career Spotlight: Costume Designer
A Bright Future for Costume Designers
Are you passionate about fashion and film? If so, a career as a costume designer could be the perfect fit. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting an 8% growth in employment for costume designers between 2019 and 2029, the job outlook is promising.
What Does a Costume Designer Do?
Costume designers are the artistic visionaries behind the looks of characters in movies, television shows, and other productions. They are responsible for creating and maintaining the clothing, accessories, and overall aesthetic of a project. From period pieces to futuristic worlds, costume designers play a crucial role in bringing stories to life.
Salary and Career Path
Film costume designers can expect to earn a competitive salary, with a median annual wage of $60,000. As they gain experience and build their portfolios, they can increase their earning potential.
The career path for a costume designer can be diverse. They can specialize in a particular genre, such as period dramas or science fiction, or work on different types of productions, such as film, television, or theater. Additionally, costume designers may choose to move into related fields, such as set design or production management.
Program Overview
- Clock Hours: 644
- Duration: 10 months
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Course Requirements
- Drawing – 60 hours
- Intro to Costume – 80 hours
- Intro to Design – 60 hours
- Costume Design – 70 hours
- Advanced Costume Practice – 70 hours
- History of Makeup & Costume – 60 hours
- Costume Portfolio – 120 hours
- Minding your Business – 28 hours
- Makeup Artistry – 96 hours
About the Instructor
Lori Gann-Smith is a highly experienced costume designer and fiber artist. Since 2020, she has been the Resident Costume Designer at the Nashville Repertory Theatre, with over 25 years of hands-on experience in costume design. Lori holds an M.F.A. in Costume Design from the University of Georgia and a B.S. in Speech and Theatre from Middle Tennessee State University.
Her impressive career includes contributions to well-known productions like “9 to 5,” “Violet,” “Elf,” “Mary Poppins,” “Shakespeare in Love,” and more. Lori’s teaching benefits from her extensive knowledge and practical experience in costume design and fiber arts, making her a valuable asset to aspiring designers and theater enthusiasts.