Digital Costume Design and Collaboration

CHAPTER ONE

THE DESIGN PROCESS: A DIGITAL APPROACH

For me, the costume design process starts when I read the script for the first time. I like to pay close attention to the response that it elicits in me, keeping track of the ideas or themes that may come to mind. I usually start by defining the character’s “spine,” meaning the core emotions, qualities, and actions. This is the cardinal point of the process, and it helps when talking to a director. After a second reading, I put these emotions, qualities, and actions into one or two words, and then I translate them into visual language. The idea is to get into the storyline, finding the things that are compelling to me. For example, I may use a character’s journey from “repressed” to “liberated” ...