This lesson is designed to introduce students to costume design. It will give students an insight into the process of costume design, from the first reading of a script to the final realisation of the character. Students will have an opportuntity to learn about the design process, before attempting to design a costume for a character of their choice. Lesson PlanRequired Materials
NB: If students are in years 11 or 12 and have begun the scripted molologue or original solo performance process, students may wish to attempt to design costumes for their own characters. | 
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Lesson Process
- View and discuss the elements of design (page here) as per previous lesson, but in the context of costume design. That is, what does texture mean for costume design? Shape? Line? You might like to brainstorm this with students... try using wallwisher to create an interactive mindmap that you can control and moderate.
- Have students view some video footage about the work of the costume designer. You might like to find your own footage about a film or play students have worked on, or try these out for size.
- Next hand out script excerpts (or have students take out their own scripts) and have students research the context of the character online. For example, if they are doing a Shakespearian play, have students research Elizabethan era dress. Students should think about all of the design elements while they do this research. Students might like to start off here to get an idea of the era, and work from there.
- Finally, hand out photocopied costume design templates, and have students spend the lesson working on a costume for a character. You might like to have some students present their costume and justify it to the class if there is time at the end.
Design templates are available in various forms online, or you can use these ones. Copyright The Costumer's Manifesto, Created by Tara Maginnis 2001 |
