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HSC reports: costume

Over the years various observations have been made about what constitutes a good Costume Design Project, as well as the kind of approach that leads to a poor mark. You should check the requirements of each project in the course prescriptions document

. A summary of those reports follows here:

The best candidates:

presented an original, innovative concept sustained throughout the project
were accompanied by clear and effective support material such as written notes and swatches
addressed all the set criteria effectively
elected to illustrate a range of characters that reflected the scope of the text an original, innovative concept sustained throughout the total design
renderings were executed with flair and outstanding presentation using appropriate colour, textures and material that is a visual image of the play and brings to life the personality, status and standing of each character
an immediate and successful visual image using appropriate colour and texture
clear and effective support material, for instance written notes and swatches
the selection of a range of characters that reflects the scope of the text
included a clear, concise, separate statement of the design concept
conceived an original, innovative but appropriate concept that was sustained throughout the total design
accounted for various aspects of the play (genre, lighting, set) as a total concept so that the costume design did not exist in isolation from the play as a whole
had a visual image of the play that brought to life the personality, status and standing of each character
selected a range of characters that reflected the scope of the play
executed renderings with flair and outstanding presentation, using appropriate textures and materials.

The weaker candidates:

presented a functional or literal interpretation of the text rather than showing creative originality
presented no design concept or one which was inappropriate
worked in stereotypes rather than characterisations
showed lack of understanding of the status of the characters
often lacked skills in execution
did not take enough care and detail in presentation
chose less appropriate characters who offered less scope for the design concept
imposed a time concept on the text, such as the 1960s or the future, rather than a design concept
failed to demonstrate a knowledge of the text through an effective interpretation of the play
submitted inadequate renderings without support material, for instance notes and swatches, which were poorly presented and explained
failed to address the basic criteria
failed to present the required components for instance number of renderings, number of characters
presented only a “partial” design
presented an inadequate response to the criteria addressed
provided no understanding of a ‘design concept’ or the selected script
had no detailed knowledge of character
had poor or unacceptable execution and presentation
demonstrated little or no knowledge of the play
presented poorly drawn figures without any sense of character
had little or no support material
produced renderings which lacked any sense of individuality and often gave the appearance of fashion models rather than dramatic characters
did not have a unified design concept for the play
did not present the costume design in the context of the play
had a confused image of the character and dealt in stereotypes rather than dramatic character
produced renderings for minor characters whose impact within the play is minimal
had unclear or ineffective written support
lacked a clear written design concept.