Set and Costume Design Course

Lesson 1 • Research Methods and Visual Sources

Covers primary and secondary research strategies for historical, cultural, and artistic reference. Builds habits of rigorous visual research that inform authentic design choices.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to Design Concept

Explains how a unifying design concept guides all visual decisions across a production. Students practice articulating a concept statement from script analysis and research.

Lesson 3 • Visual Elements and Principles

Introduces line, shape, colour, texture, and space as core design tools. Connects formal visual principles to expressive choices in theatrical environments.

Lesson 4 • The Role of the Designer

Defines the set and costume designer's function within a production team. Establishes collaborative responsibilities and creative boundaries shared with directors and other designers.

Lesson 1 • Costume Rendering Fundamentals

Covers the croquis figure, garment silhouette, and fabric rendering in pencil and marker. Connects rendering accuracy to clear communication with costume shop staff.

Lesson 2 • Basic Drafting and Sketching Skills

Introduces freehand sketching, proportion, and perspective as communication tools. Provides the manual foundation needed before advancing to technical drafting or digital tools.

Lesson 3 • Digital Sketching and Rendering Tools

Introduces tablet-based drawing and digital painting as supplements to hand rendering. Prepares students to work efficiently in contemporary professional workflows.

Lesson 4 • Set Design Sketching and Elevation

Teaches perspective sketches and orthographic elevations for scenic environments. Builds the ability to translate three-dimensional spatial ideas into two-dimensional drawings.

Lesson 1 • Scenic Elements and Construction Logic

Introduces flats, platforms, stairs, and soft goods as the vocabulary of scenic construction. Grounds design choices in structural feasibility and shop capabilities.

Lesson 2 • Stage Types and Spatial Configurations

Surveys proscenium, thrust, arena, and black box stages and their design implications. Establishes how audience-performer geometry shapes every scenic decision.

Lesson 3 • Ground Plan Design and Traffic Flow

Teaches scaled ground plan drafting and actor traffic flow analysis. Connects spatial layout to directorial blocking needs and dramatic action.

Lesson 4 • Scenic Transitions and Multi-Scene Design

Addresses design strategies for productions requiring multiple locations or scene changes. Develops solutions that balance visual variety with technical and budgetary constraints.

Lesson 1 • Fabric Selection and Material Properties

Covers fabric weight, drape, texture, and behaviour under stage lighting. Equips students to make informed material choices that serve both design and performance.

Lesson 2 • The Costume Plot and Design Package

Teaches the creation of a complete costume plot, scene-by-scene breakdown, and design package. Prepares students to communicate all costume needs clearly to shop and production staff.

Lesson 3 • Silhouette, Proportion, and Period Style

Examines how historical and contemporary silhouettes communicate period, class, and character. Builds accuracy in period research and its translation into wearable design.

Lesson 4 • Character Analysis for Costume Design

Translates script analysis into specific costume requirements for each character. Connects psychology, status, and arc to visual choices in silhouette, colour, and detail.

Lesson 1 • How Stage Lighting Affects Design

Examines how gel colour, intensity, and angle transform scenic and costume colours onstage. Enables designers to anticipate and design for lighting conditions rather than react to them.

Lesson 2 • Unified Visual World Across Design Elements

Synthesises colour, texture, and light decisions across set and costume into a coherent visual world. Develops the designer's ability to evaluate and adjust the full stage picture.

Lesson 3 • Texture and Pattern in Visual Design

Analyses how surface texture and pattern contribute to visual depth and storytelling. Addresses scale, repetition, and contrast as tools for directing audience attention.

Lesson 4 • Advanced Colour Theory for Stage

Extends basic colour theory to the specific demands of theatrical environments and stage lighting. Addresses simultaneous contrast, colour temperature, and palette building for performance.

Lesson 1 • CAD Software for Scenic Design

Introduces vector-based CAD tools for producing ground plans, elevations, and sections. Builds proficiency in the digital drafting workflow standard in professional scenic design.

Lesson 2 • 3D Modelling for Set Design

Covers 3D modelling software for visualising scenic environments before construction. Digital models supplement physical models and enable rapid spatial iteration.

Lesson 3 • Technical Drafting Standards and Conventions

Establishes industry drafting conventions for scale, line weight, notation, and title blocks. Accurate technical drawings are the primary communication tool between designers and builders.

Lesson 4 • Presentation and Portfolio Documentation

Teaches the assembly of professional design presentations and digital portfolio materials. Prepares students to present work clearly to directors, producers, and hiring committees.

Lesson 1 • Budgeting and Resource Management

Introduces budget tracking, cost estimation, and resource allocation for set and costume design. Responsible budget management is a core professional expectation in all production contexts.

Lesson 2 • Working with Scenic and Costume Shops

Explains the designer's relationship with scenic carpenters, painters, and costume shop staff. Builds skills for communicating intent, reviewing work in progress, and approving builds.

Lesson 3 • Tech Rehearsal and Design Adjustments

Prepares students for the tech rehearsal process, including cueing, adjustments, and problem-solving. Develops the ability to make rapid, informed decisions under production pressure.

Lesson 4 • Design Meetings and Communication

Covers the structure and etiquette of design meetings, production meetings, and one-on-ones. Effective communication prevents costly errors and builds productive creative relationships.

Lesson 1 • Capstone Set Design Project

Students complete a full set design package for a selected script, from concept through technical drawings. Integrates all scenic design skills into a single cohesive professional submission.

Lesson 2 • Portfolio Assembly and Professional Presentation

Guides the curation, sequencing, and presentation of a professional design portfolio. Prepares students to represent their work effectively to directors, producers, and employers.

Lesson 3 • Concept-Driven and Devised Productions

Addresses design for non-text-based, devised, and experimental productions without fixed scripts. Builds skills for collaborative creation and design in open-ended creative processes.

Lesson 4 • Designing for Diverse Theatrical Genres

Applies design skills to drama, comedy, musical theatre, opera, and dance with genre-specific demands. Develops flexibility and range as a designer across performance forms.