The cultural history of clothing is taught from a cultural-historical perspective – from antiquity to the present day and classified in the respective political or social context. Students learn about different forms of clothing and that every detail in fashion can have a meaning. It is a subject that is essential for knowledgeable, imaginative and precise costume design. The subject is partly linked to the respective semester topic in the practical area.

The subject of dramaturgy is taught by dramaturgs who have practical experience in theatre or film. The basics of dramaturgical processes are taught and many examples of artistic works are discussed. The BA programme teaches how a costume can play a key conceptual role, as the subject is primarily linked to the respective semester topic, in which literary texts or screenplays are read and commented on, and costumes are designed and developed. This course is also linked to the course ‘Performance Analysis,’ in which students attend various theatre performances, films or other artistic events – a kind of ‘mini-excursion’ – in order to learn which criteria are suitable for evaluation.

In the MA programme, this theory course trains students in their knowledge, perception and understanding of outstanding examples of artistic film. To this end, further texts from philosophy and science are examined and discussed to underpin the knowledge and in the context of the respective film.

A ‘career workshop’ prepares future graduates for their career entry. Insurance options, contract terms, tax office issues, forms of business establishment, financing issues, presentation strategies and negotiation tricks are explained, practised and applied on a trial basis.

Our programme has often been visited by renowned artists from the fields of costume design, stage design, scenography, fine arts, film and theatre in the broadest sense. Through lecture series followed by discussions, students get to know inspiring and experienced guests and gain input from their shared experiences and works. These lectures are open to the university public and invite interdisciplinary discussion.

In addition, a week-long excursion allows students to explore individual subject areas in depth, gain experience abroad and establish contacts.

The course ‘Performance Analysis’ involves attending films and theatre performances. The aim is to identify criteria for analysis and to exchange ideas about art and themes.

Every two years, a historical overview of performative performance practices is offered, which is compulsory for all students of the Faculty of Performing Arts. The specialised course profile is also accompanied by a broad general studies programme in the theoretical and practical fields. In the general studies programme, additional seminars in theory and technique can be taken, which are widely attended at the UdK. Here, it is possible to meet fellow students from other degree programmes. Registration takes place on the UdK website.

https://www.udk-berlin.de/studium/studium-generale

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.

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.

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

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.

Whether through analogue or digital drawings, collages, mood boards, photographs, etc., each student is supported in finding their own visual language and in learning or refining classic presentation techniques in order to find a way to communicate and record their own ideas and designs visually, either in a team or on their own.

Designs are also realised in 1:1 mode as examples. For this, students need space and knowledge, materials and guidance. These skills are introduced, tested and trained by specialist lecturers in various courses.

The way we look at materials and the materials themselves is constantly changing. Sustainability is a growing issue. Forms of implementation are constantly being updated and new techniques are being incorporated. Tips, tricks and typical conventional realisation methods are presented, tested and applied by proven specialists.

Patina refers to the painterly treatment of textile materials to give costumes a certain temporality (aging processes) or a history that helps to understand the characters. There are also craft techniques that costume designers often use for this purpose.

Make-up workshops teach the basics of make-up. Part of the subject is linked to the respective semester topic. In the MA programme, the ‘Make-up’ course deals primarily with advanced issues of make-up that are thematically related to the respective semester. Specific techniques and tricks are taught in group lessons and individual consultations to support students in the realisation of their projects.

Photography is an important presentation technique. Cameras are available for photography in the programme. It is important to learn how to ‘see’ and understand the technical handling. In a one-week camera workshop, experienced cameramen and women introduce students to camera technology, teach and promote an understanding of staged images in which costumes play a decisive role.

Lighting and sound are essential elements of the performing arts and have a significant influence on costumes. Workshops teach the basics of lighting technology. In sound workshops, students also learn about the selection of specific materials in costumes with regard to sound.

The sewing workshop, a workshop for experimental design and a dyeing kitchen, a technical room, individual studio spaces for students and seminar rooms are located on Lietzenburgerstraße. Sewing machines and materials are available in the sewing workshop. Students learn the basics of cutting techniques, study materials, learn how to operate machines and prepare designs. In the workshop for experimental design, various processing techniques for costumes can be learned: dyeing and patination, moulding and design. Materials and tools are also available here.

The UdK costume library is located in the same building as our workshops, classrooms and studios. Here, every student can borrow costume pieces. This is an important resource for the design process and for realisation. The costume department associated with the costume collection realises costume designs that are produced for the university’s own theatre. Professional costume designers support the students during fittings and production.