Costume design

Project requirements: Costume design

The NESA website lists the following requirements for the individual project: Design (Costume).

This project consists of:

  • a 300-word rationale in the form of a director’s concept/vision

  • renderings of costumes for at least 2 different characters

  • a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 6 costume renderings in total. These renderings can be in media such as watercolour, coloured pencils or markers, collage or a computer-aided design submitted as hard copy. The renderings must be separately mounted on cardboard at least A3 size (297 x 420 mm), but no larger than A1 (594 x 841 mm). The figures depicted should be at least 300 mm in height. All characters rendered and the scenes in which they appear must be identified.

  • support material attached to the renderings, which includes fabric swatches and/or colour samples and any special construction information

  • preliminary sketches and/or written descriptions of at least 4 other costumes required for the production.

Note: Students should NOT make costumes or include any dolls dressed in costumes in this Individual Project.

Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.

More NESA Advice

Digital renderings

The renderings for Costume Design may be done by hand or digitally produced. All digital images must be printed for submission to NESA.

Mounting requirements

There is no requirement to frame costume design renderings. Costumes should be submitted on a simple cardboard mount. Glass is not permitted, as it can become a WHS issue during marking.

Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.

Learning from other students

There are several reasons why learning from your peers is effective. You share a similar language and perspective. Seeing what other students have done to achieve success can support your understanding.

In this lesson students will respond to the ideas and experiences of a successful HSC drama costume design student.

'I got to experience the different types of individual projects...in year 11 and when I was doing that, I found that I really resonated with doing a costume design, because I already had some artistic history.'

Damian Shahfazli discusses his IP costume design for 'The Visit', Student Interviews about Stage 6 Drama.

Student activity 1 - Example of a successful approach

The interview above is part of a series in which Year 12 students discuss the development of their individual projects - including their use of the drama logbook. Each student reflects on their journey towards the successful completion of their individual project.

On a new page in your individual project logbook or in a new digital document create a concept map to summarise the successful student's approach to their chosen individual project, using the example below as a guide. You might use one of the concept mapping tools in the digital learning selector on the NSW Department of Education website to record your responses.

  • View the interview with Damian Shahfazli above.

  • Summarise the experience of the student in concept map format. Make notes on your concept map as you watch the video. Stop the video so that you can jot down ideas. Add more branches to your concept map where appropriate.

  • Share and discuss your summary in pairs or in a small group. Consider: What were some of the strongest messages that came out of the interview? What new information did you learn about the process of developing this individual project? What was already familiar and reinforced through the interview?

Criteria for examining the Individual project: Costume design

The NESA website lists the following criteria for examining the costume design project.

Criteria for examining the Individual Project: Design (Costume)

For the Individual Project: Design (Costume), a mark out of 10 is awarded for each of the 3 criteria, giving a total mark out of 30.

Criteria 1: Design concept/vision (10 marks)

  • effective interpretation of the play realised in a directorial concept/vision

  • integrity, originality and clarity in the design concept/vision

  • selection of appropriate characters and scenes to communicate the concept/vision.

Criteria 2: Appropriateness (10 marks)

  • understanding of the characters/roles – social standing, period, place

  • suitability to the dramatic and technical needs of the characters/roles

  • effectiveness of colours, textures and fabric types to each costume.

Criteria 3: Execution (10 marks)

  • realisation of the design concept/vision in the presentation

  • clarity and flair in renderings

  • clear and effective support material.

Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.

Student activity 2 - Strategies for success

Look back at the marking criteria for costume design. Looking carefully at the dot points under each criterion, highlight all the words relating to concept/vision in yellow. Then highlight all the words relating to the play/text in pink. Finally, highlight in blue all the words relating to the way the designs are constructed/presented.

Divide your logbook page into 4 columns, with the headings below.

  • Rationale

  • Renderings of costumes

  • Support material

  • Preliminary sketches and/or descriptions

Using your highlighted words, brainstorm a list of strategies/ideas in each column that you could include in each component of your costume design to ensure you meet the marking criteria and fulfill the project requirements.

You may also find it helpful to refer to the questions in the concept map below.

Costume design concept map.pptx

Student activity 3 - Apply new understanding

  • Select one of the plays from the current design text list to explore in more detail.

  • As you read, record key information in a concept map like the one above. You might extend this map by adding new branches and could do this using one of the concept mapping tools in the digital learning selector on the NSW Department of Education website.

  • Share and discuss your concept map with your teacher. You can use this concept map to guide the development of your costume design project.

Hands held up with the words 'yes' and 'no' written in white on palm of each hand.

Student activity 4 - What's in it for me?

Considering everything you now know about the project requirements, peer approaches, and marking criteria, how do you feel about this individual project option? Keep a record of your response in your logbook or in digital form and then let your teacher know what you are thinking by completing the individual project questionnaire at the end of this module.

References and images