The Costume Designer Job Description

Costume designers are responsible for creating outfits for theatre, film, and television productions. They work with a team of people including the director, set designer, and hair and makeup artists to design costumes for the actors that reflect the production’s overall style and period. They may use sketches, fabric swatches, or digital renderings to develop their designs and present them to the director for approval. Costume designers also plan a timeline of the project and work within budgets to ensure that the right pieces are available when needed on set.

The first step of the job is analyzing the script to determine the requirements for each character. This is especially important if the production is set in a particular time period, as the costume designer must be familiar with clothing styles from that era to accurately create the appropriate looks for the characters. The costume designer then researches fashion history, current trends, and historical locations if necessary for the project.

After researching and planning their designs, costume designers sketch or create digital renderings of each scene’s costume changes. These are then presented to the director and other members of the design team for approval. They also coordinate with the director of photography and lighting designer to ensure that the costume design is complementary to the sets and lighting of each scene.

Once the initial costume designs have been approved, the costume designer orders and schedules all necessary purchases and rentals. They are responsible for overseeing the costume department on set during shooting days and are on standby to make sure that all of the costume pieces are ready when needed.