3/31/2025 6:52:39 AM	THAR 28 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 28	Title:  COSTUME DESIGN
Full Title:  Introduction to Costume Design
Last Reviewed:2/10/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Students will learn the fundamentals of costume design for the stage, focusing on character interpretation, script analysis, rendering, and materials.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Completion of THAR 1 and THAR 21A

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will learn the fundamentals of costume design for the stage, focusing on character interpretation, script analysis, rendering, and materials.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Completion of THAR 1 and THAR 21A
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2012	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2012	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: THTR 174	Introduction to Stage Costume or Fundamentals of Costume Design	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): THAR21A OR THAR28

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Communicate a visual approach to costume design through research analysis and costume renderings for a work of dramatic literature.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify and apply the general concepts, techniques, and terminology related to costume design.

2. Assess the function of the Costume Designer as a career in the creation and implementation of a design concept for production, and discuss this function in relation to the entire production staff.

3. Analyze a work of dramatic literature to assess its stylistic and practical costume requirements.

4. Conduct historical and stylistic research on a work of dramatic literature.

5. Render conceptual sketches of costumed characters for a work of dramatic literature.

6. Resource fabric and other materials for costume design and construction.

7. Demonstrate sufficient skills to draw and paint or digitally manipulate detailed costume renderings.

8. Define what a collaborative work flow with Costume Studio Staff entails related to: developing and organizing schedules, plots, fittings, budgets, and other communication tools necessary for the fabrication of costumes for a theatrical production.

Topics and Scope

I. Overview

    A. Basic functions of a costume

    B. Basic functions of a costume design

    C. Role of the Costume Designer

II. Script Analysis for Costume Design

    A. Understanding the play

         1. Forms of drama

         2. Elements of drama

    B. Script requirements relating to costume design

         1. Period, environment, and time passage

         2. Stage notes

         3. Character traits

         4. Practical costume requirements

         5. Costume changes, method, and flow

    C. Different approaches to reading the script

III. Research

    A. Setting goals for productive research

    B. Sources for costume design research

    C. Authenticating primary sources

IV. Conceptualization

    A. Developing a design concept

    B. Conceptualizing with others

V. Elements and Principles of Design

    A. How design elements relate to costume design

    B. How the principles of design relate to costume design

VI. Developing the Costume Design

    A. Developing character concepts

    B. Planning color

    C. Budget

    D. Special considerations

VII. Rendering the Costume Sketch

    A. Sketching the character

         1. Basic bone structure of the body

         2. Figure proportions

         3. Dynamic poses

         4. Historic silhouettes

         5. Garments, draping, and textures

    B. Creating the face

         1. Proportions of the head and face

         2. Facial expression

         3. Techniques for rendering faces and hair in color      

    C. Hands, feet, and accessories

    D. Preliminary sketches

    E. The costume rendering

         1. Composition standards

         2. Basics of watercolor for the costume rendering

         3. Pencil and ink techniques

         4. Digital rendering and enhancement

VIII. Choosing Fabrics

    A. Fiber versus fabric

    B. Fabric considerations

    C. Sources and swatches

    D. Illustrated or digital swatches

IX. Getting the Show Together

    A. Organizing the work - Developing spreadsheets

         1. Actor/scene breakdown or action plot

         2. Measurement sheets

         3. Budgets

         4. Costume lists

             a. Pull

             b. Buy

             c. Build

         5. Build sheets

         6. Costume plots

         7. Wardrobe documents

             a. Dressing lists

             b. Quick change chart

             c. Costume tracks

             d. Check out sheets

    B. Collaborating with the costume studio staff

        1. Scheduling

        2. Fittings and fitting notes

        3. Build calendar

        4. Communication

    C. Assembling the costumes

    D. Preparing for performance

        1. Dress rehearsals

        2. Strike

X. Careers in Costume Design and Technology

    A. Types of positions and responsibilities

         1. Costume Designer

         2. Assistant Costume Designer

         3. Costume Production positions

         4. Wardrobe and On-Set positions  

         5. Costume adjacent jobs

    B. Resumes for costume field

    C. Etiquette and work ethic

    D. Unions and job requirements

    E. Working with rental companies and suppliers

    F. Working as an Independent Contractor

Assignments:

1. Reading comprehension assignments (3-10)

2. Sketching and painting assignments (5-10)

3. Costume design assignment(s) (1 - 3)

    a. Read and analyze a different stage play or musical for each project

   b. Analyze the costume requirements for each assigned play or musical

   c. Generate a costume concept statement (up to 250 words)

   d. Conduct research appropriate to the historical period and style of each play or musical and document it in research morgues

   e. Render preliminary sketches and working drawings for each assigned play or musical (6 -12)

   f. Swatch fabric and plan trimmings for each costume rendering

   g. Create an action plot

   h. Complete 6-10 painted costume renderings

   i. Create an oral presentation for each assignment

4. Final costume design project, in addition to items a-i above, complete:

   a. Oral presentation of renderings and assembled materials

   b. One 500-word concept statement (essay format in lieu of item C above)

    c. Create a budget for one full costume

   d. Develop spreadsheets for budget, dressing lists, and pull/build sheets

5. Class participation and professionalism

6. Additional assignments as determined by instructor, which may include a design portfolio and presentation

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 5 - 10%
Concept statements, reading comprehension assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 25 - 40%
Script analysis, research, action plots and all spreadsheets, budget, fabric selection, design portfolio (if assigned)
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 30 - 50%
Participation and professionalism, oral presentations, design portfolio presentation, sketching and painting
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 20 - 40%
Class attendance and participation; oral presentations; design portfolio presentation (if assigned)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Art and Practice of Costume Design. Poe Durbin, Holly. Focal Press. 2016. (classic).

Character Costume Figure Drawing: Step-by-Step Drawing Methods for Theatre Costume Designers. 2nd ed. Huaixiang, Tan. Focal Press. 2010. (classic).

The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design. 2nd ed. Cunningham, Rebecca. Waveland Press. 2009. (classic).

The Costume Designer's Handbook. 2nd ed. Covey, Liz, and Ingham, Rosemary. Heinemann Drama. 1992. (classic).

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