Designers for Theatre, Fashion & Exhibits

Description

Fashion designers keep us riveted with their inventiveness and trend-setting creations. What's the latest skirt length? Pant shape? Shirt collar? Shoe heel? And what's the "in" colour this season? Armed with this information, people flock to stores to acquire the latest look.

Set designers captivate us by creating the backdrop to everything from sci-fi action adventures to Shakespearean dramas, and everything in-between. These and other designers use their creative talents for function and fantasy, making life a little more entertaining in the process.

Prada. Versace. Dolce and Gabbana. The jet-setting world of celebrity fashion designers paints a very misleading picture. Most fashion designers work for a clothing manufacturer or struggle to keep their company afloat in this extremely competitive industry. Fashion designers need good business skills and must know all the practical design skills: cutting, patternmaking, sewing, draping, textile design, and colour and fabric selection.

Set, costume and exhibit designers must also be multifaceted. They draw on imagination and individuality to create designs and practical and organizational abilities to plan and implement them. Working with clients and other creative people may have its frustrations, but it can be fun and stimulating as well.

Specific duties

Fashion designers

• sketch their ideas and may make patterns as guides to cut product samples
  
• select fabric and trimmings and may visit textile manufacturing and sales establishments to keep current on the latest fabrics
  
• combine basic principles of dressmaking and tailoring, using flat pattern work and draping to obtain the desired result and fit the finished garment
  
• oversee business affairs, including finances, marketing and promotional activities, such as shows and displays, and
  
• keep current on fashion trends and competitors' merchandise and marketing.
  

Theatre, set and costume designers

• design sets, costumes and/or lighting for theatre, film, video, ballet and opera productions
  
• meet with producers, directors and art directors to develop a visual concept
  
• prepare sketches or more elaborate drawings or models
  
• gather materials, manage the budget and oversee and coordinate the work of construction and other contractors, and
  
• troubleshoot during production.
  

Exhibit designers

• plan and develop exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, other events and stores
  
• meet with curators, directors, operations managers or other staff to develop ideas
  
• sketch the exhibit or display layout and address issues such as budget, audience, security and timelines
  
• oversee and coordinate construction and other contractors, and
  
• troubleshoot during the exhibit or display period.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Fabric, Fur & Leather Cutters
• Graphic Designers & Illustrators
• Industrial Designers
• Interior Designers
• Museums & Art Galleries, Technical Occupations
• Patternmakers - Textile, Leather & Fur Products
• Technical Workers in the Arts

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	EMS3O Media Studies, Grade 11, Open or ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation or ENG3U English, Grade 11, University Preparation	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation or ENG4U English, Grade 12, University Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MCF3M Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
Optional
AVI1O Visual Arts, Grade 9, Open or BTT1O, BTT2O Information and Communication Technology in Business, Grade 9 or 10, Open or TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	AVI2O Visual Arts, Grade 10, Open	ASM3O Media Arts, Grade 11, Open or AVI3M Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or AVI3O Visual Arts, Grade 11, Open or HLS3O Living Spaces and Shelter, Grade 11, Open or HNC3O Fashion and Creative Expression, Grade 11, Open	ASM4O Media Arts, Grade 12, Open or AVI4M Visual Arts, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or HNB4O The Fashion Industry, Grade 12, Open

* students should consider options from Social Sciences, The Arts, History etc.

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

* students should consult their counsellor for appropriate Technology options in Grades 11 and 12

Post-secondary options

• You can become a designer in one of these fields without any formal education. However, some employers may have minimum requirements.
  
  
• Most designers opt for some post-secondary education. You can complete a bachelor's degree in visual or fine arts, with a specialization, or pursue a degree in the specific career path you've selected, such as architecture or industrial design (for exhibit designers).
  
  
• College or art school programs are also available in theatre, clothing, and industrial or exhibit design.
  
  
• It's important to showcase your creative ability by compiling a portfolio (samples of your work). You can begin in high school and update it as you produce more work.
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
University
Algoma University	Fine Arts Studies (B.F.A.)
Lakehead University	Visual Arts
Laurentian University	Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
Nipissing University	Fine Arts (B.A., Honours B.A.)
Queen's University	Stage and Screen Studies (Honours B.A.)
Ryerson University	Fashion (B.Des.) Fashion Communications (B.Des.) Theatre: Technical Production (B.F.A.)
University of Guelph	Studio Art (M.F.A.)
University of Ottawa	Theatre (B.A., Honours B.A.)
University of Toronto at Mississauga	Theatre, Drama amd Performance Studies (Honours B.A.)
University of Waterloo	Fine Arts (B.A., Honours B.A.) (Co-op)

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Most designers begin by assisting professional experienced designers with their work and graduate to increasing levels of project responsibility and challenge as they gain experience. Designers may work for a company where they may eventually take on the most senior design or project management role. Other designers are self-employed and may either run their own business or contract their services to other companies.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

performing arts and broadcasting companies
clothing and textiles companies
museums and retail establishments

Work environment

Designers may have very hectic schedules; there's often a lot of work to be accomplished in a limited timeframe. They divide their time between their own office and on the go to clients' offices, sites, and suppliers' locations.

Designers usually work regular hours, but sure enough, those hours escalate when deadlines are approaching or during preproduction and openings, in the case of set, exhibit, and costume designers.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Clothing designer
Costume designer
Couturier
Fabric designer
Fashion designer
Fur designer
Jewellery designer
Lighting designer
Museum exhibit designer
Set designer
Shoe designer
Toy designer
Trophy designer
Window display designer

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
  The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is a national non-profit professional association designed to promote, recognize and celebrate exceptional achievements in the Canadian film and television industries. 

• Advertising and Design Club of Canada

• Arts Links--Design
  These Theatre Design and Technology links provide a wealth of information to those interested in set design, costume design, lighting design, sound design, set construction projection design, theatre engineering, stage management, makeup design and much more. A wonderful resource.

• Canadian Apparel Federation

• Canadian Film Centre
  This institution offers practical training and education for aspiring Canadian directors, producers, technical crew, writers and others in film, television and new media.

• Canadian Screen Training Centre
  Provides training for aspiring film, television and new media professionals.

• Cultural Human Resources Council

• Fashion courses at Ryerson
  If you're interested in studying fashion at a post-secondary level, this is a good place to start.

• Textiles Human Resources Council

• Work in Culture (Cultural Careers Council Ontario)
  A wonderful site all about culture in Canada and especially Ontario. A great Learn section with info on mentoring, online learning, training institutions, etc. Be sure to check out the Library, which has more than 200 links of interest.