Costume Design

Overview
BFA
MA
MFA

The costume design emphasis combines a rigorous sewing program with industry-specific design courses, preparing students to work in theater and film. Students are given the opportunity to gain practical experience through collaboration with the School of Motion Pictures & Television and the School of Acting.

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What We Teach

Construction/Draping

We’ll guide you as you learn to develop your design work into a pre-collection. You’ll be taught the principles of manual grading and working with a life fit model, and learn about work production patterns for industry. You’ll also gain new construction and finishing techniques.

Costume Design for Stage and Film

Learn how to break down a script and create character identity through costume by creating mood boards, color stories, and illustrations. You will also learn how to create a “look book” for actors—an essential skill in the costume design industry.

Costume Sewing Techniques

Learn the essential cutting and sewing techniques that will prepare you for the apparel industry. Hand finishing techniques and machine sewing techniques in wovens will be taught as well, together with their application.

Makeup: Street & Special Effects

Learn all aspects of creating realistic, contemporary street makeup, as well as how to handle special cases such as creating character, special effects, and medical makeup.

Costume Design Degrees

The Costume Design degree program at Academy of Art University combines a rigorous sewing program with industry-specific design courses to teach both the technical and conceptual sides of costume design.

BFA MA MFA

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Student Work

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Connie Su

Fashion

Huizi Li

Fashion

Jasmin Santiago

Fashion

Miya Chuang

Fashion

COMPANIES THAT HAVE HIRED OUR GRADUATES

Liberal Arts

The Liberal Arts Program provides students with a holistic education covering the arts, humanities, and sciences. Courses highlight connections between the subject of study and the major fields of art and design, providing context to the larger world of art and design.

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Foundations

The Foundations curriculum heightens perception and understanding of visual structure through the study of drawing, modeling of form, value structure, perspective principles, color, and design theory.

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