Design

Design projects are always thematically flanked by theoretical and technical foundation subjects. The goal is to offer design projects throughout the respective degree programs (BA/MA) that build upon each other in level.

Fundamentals

In the fundamental subjects, students are supported in their designs. There are exercises in colour and form, materials and forms of presentation, research techniques and sources of inspiration, basic knowledge of important designers, artists and works.

The subject is linked to the ‘design project’ and builds on the growing theoretical and technical foundation.

Design projects

A practical design project (50%) is central to each semester. During the lecture-free period, an additional project can be completed and credited. Different design methodologies are taught. In the basic course, practical skills that are important for the realisation of costume designs are introduced and tried out. In the fifth semester, the focus is expanded to include film costumes. It is possible to plan a stay abroad within the Erasmus programme. In the sixth semester, students work on their BA thesis, which represents their first university degree.

Film costume

In the last third of the BA programme and in the Master’s programme, students can pursue at least two strands: theatre costume or film costume. Basically, the entire programme assumes that character creation requires similar conceptual strategies up to a certain point. Then, practical and theoretical differences come into play, which are taught in special courses. The basis for both variants is a high level of artistic understanding, broad technical knowledge and theoretical knowledge.

Still from: Blutsauger by Julian Radlmaier Costume design: Sara Wendt

Artistic conception/colloquium

The colloquium serves to prepare the Master’s theses. From brainstorming to execution, the colloquium also focuses on principles for the creation of the accompanying theoretical work (25%). Students learn to take turns moderating the presentation of their respective work statuses. The presentation itself is also practised.

Application

BA (Bachelor of Arts)

Application period:
October 15 – November 15 for the summer semester

Admission requirements:
❶ Proof of artistic aptitude
❷ For international applicants: sufficient German language skills (For application German language certificate at level B1 and for enrollment German language certificate at level B2)

Duration of studies and degree awarded:
Standard period of study: 6 semesters, 180 credit points
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

MA (Master of Arts)

Application period:
October 15 – November 15 for the summer semester

Admission requirements:
❶ A university degree in the Bachelor’s program in Costume Design at the Berlin University of the Arts or in an equivalent program at another university
❷ Proof of artistic aptitude
❸ German language skills at level B2 (CEFR)

Duration of studies and degree awarded:
Standard period of study: 4 semesters, 120 credit points
Degree: Master of Arts (MA)

Your application – Step by step

https://www.udk-berlin.de/bewerbung/bewerbungsguide/kostuembild-bachelor/
https://www.udk-berlin.de/bewerbung/bewerbungsguide/kostuembild-master/

Faculty

Prof. Beatrix von Pilgrim (Interim)
Costume Design Theater/Film/Program Director

Stage designer, costume designer, visual artist, creates theatrical spaces and costumes for theater productions and performances. Works in the field of visual arts in exhibitions with film, video and light installations. Studio in Berlin/Braunschweig/Genoa.

bvpilgrim(at)udk- berlin.de
www.bvpilgrim.com

Prof. Anette Guther (Interim)
Film Costume Design

Anette Guther works as a film costume designer collaborating with directors such as Angela Schanelec, Christian Paetzold, Thomas Arslan, and Maria Schrader, and creates costumes for theater productions including collaborations with Thorsten Lensing.

anguther(at)web.de

Dr. Stefan Tigges
Dramaturgy/Artistic Conception

Stefan Tigges (Private Lecturer Dr. phil.) teaches and researches at the intersections of theoretical and artistic educational practice (UDK Berlin, Theater Academy Baden-Württemberg, University of Graz, Institute for Theater, Film and Media Studies Vienna). Following a collaboration with Johan Simons (Thalia Theater Hamburg 02/2025), he is currently working on a joint book with Jens Harzer. Stefan Tigges has been working as head dramaturge at the Zimmertheater Tübingen since September 2025.

stefantigges(at)web.de

Dr. Julia Burde
Cultural History of Clothing

Parallel to her work as a costume and stage designer (opera and theater), Julia Burde began teaching Cultural History of Clothing in 1995. She currently teaches at UdK Berlin, ABK Stuttgart, and HS Hannover. In 2019, Julia Burde’s dissertation on the straightening of the waist contour in 19th-century men’s fashion was published. She has also published contributions on film costume, dandy caricatures, historical fashion dolls, and the history of theater costume.

Julia.burde(at)t-online.de

Prof. Renata Helker
Film and Media Theory

Renata Helker. Film scholar, author, curator. Studied Theater and Film Studies, German Literature, and Philosophy at FU Berlin. Teaches at Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, University of the Arts Berlin, University of Television and Film Munich. Research areas and focus: Film and acting aesthetics, Queer Cinema, film history.

Renata-helker(at)t-online.de

Hanna Lenz
Fundamentals

Hanna Lenz works as a scenographer and costume designer primarily in independent theater and film (dance productions, among others). She also creates theatrical spaces in the fashion sector.

mail@hanna-lenz.de

Christian Schiebe
Presentation Techniques

Christian Schiebe works as a freelance artist and curator for various exhibition formats.

Christian.schiebe(at)googlemail.com
www.christian-schiebe.de

Birte Meier
Makeup

Birte Meier works as a freelance makeup artist for theater and film productions.

birtemeier(at)hotmail.de

Vivien Waneck
Experimental Design

Vivien Waneck co-founded the Werkstattkollektiv in Berlin and creates costumes and special objects for theater, film, or exhibitions of all kinds.

v.waneck(at)gmail.com

Eva Rach
Sewing Workshop

Works as a freelance seamstress for various productions including the Salzburg Festival.

eva.rach(at)gmx.de

Karolina Serafin
Video Projection

Works as a video artist and scenographer for independent theater projects in the areas of drama, dance, and opera.

mail(at)karoserafin.de

Lottie Sebes/Haesoo Jung

The young sound artists Sebes and Jung work as composers (Sound Studies UDK Berlin) in the field of experimental sound.

Eshu1023(at)gmail.com
c.sebes@udk-berlin.de
www.lottiesebes.com
www.junghaesoo.com

Sara Migliorati

Sara Migliorati is a recognized specialist in historical corset patterns and manufacturing.

imsaraz(at)yahoo.it

Ben Tyrell/Jan Dieckmann
Patina

Ben Tyrell and Jan Dieckmann are patina specialists in the film industry with diverse experience.

kostuemmaler(at)gmail.com 
benjamintyrrell(at)gmx.net

Student Employees

Momo Reß
j.ress_(at)udk-berlin.de

Ella Tümpel
e.tuempel_(at)udk-berlin.de

Links