A brief look at what the role of a costume designer for film and theatre entails.
Costume Designer
Costume design for a production of the Nutcracker
To become a costume designer, the most conventional route is studying Fashion and Design at university, or Fine Art. Marketing can also help, along with Performing Arts, Theatre Studies and Media. Costume designers must show a strong work ethic, be able to work to a brief and deadlines, be competent with tailoring and sewing, and the ability to express their thoughts in drawings helps immensely. A broad knowledge of history is also desired for theatrical and period productions.
Freelance designers are usually hired for one specific project, maybe because they have a strong individual style the director would like appearing in his production. They are paid upon hire, upon delivery of the final costumes, and, in the case of theatre, on opening night. This is where most costume designers begin their career, at least, because being freelance allows them to work on more than one project at once, and the flexibility allows them to gain more experience in a wider field.
A residential designer is hired by a film or theatre company for an extended period of time. They can work with the company for years, or one season or film, but the main difference between these and freelancers is that residentials are always on hand for consultation and collaboration.
Academic designers are ones who have become teachers, either to supplement their income or because there is such demand for them in this medium. Due to the extra responsibilities, they are unable to freelance as much as their counterparts. They may be able to fit in a residency at a company or studio, however. As with every job, demand for professional qualifications within the medium is growing and unqualified professionals are finding it harder to break into academic institutions as teaching staff.