COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Costume Design program at DePaul University provides students with a structured curriculum that develops both artistic creativity and technical production skills needed for professional costume design in theatre and entertainment.Students begin with foundational courses such as Drawing for Designers, Elements of Design, and Principles of Design, which help build strong visual communication skills and an understanding of how design elements work together to support storytelling. These courses train students to translate ideas from script analysis into visual concepts.The program also emphasizes technical craft development. In Costume Crafts: Dyeing and Painting and Textiles for Costume Production, students learn how to manipulate fabrics, apply color techniques, and understand materials used in costume construction. Rendering for Designers further strengthens their ability to visually present costume ideas in a professional format.Historical and cultural understanding is developed through Global History of Costume, Hair, and Makeup, where students study how fashion and costume have evolved across different eras and cultures. This knowledge helps inform authentic and meaningful design choices in performance settings.Design Production Practice allows students to apply their skills in real production environments, working on costume execution for performances. The Internship component provides professional experience in the industry, helping students transition from academic training to real-world costume design work in theatre, film, or related entertainment fields.Overall, the curriculum prepares students to combine creativity, technical skill, and historical knowledge to design costumes that enhance character storytelling and theatrical production quality.