NOTE: The Costume Design Program now recruits every other year. We are now recruiting for candidates to begin in Fall 2025.
Who Are We Looking for?
UCI Costume Design students come from many backgrounds. We believe that a wider experience informs our students’ growth as people and as artists. Some students come to us straight from their undergraduate programs, but many have worked professionally for a year or more, or added outside experience to their university performance programs through summer theater or internships. Successful applicants have designed several shows before seeking admission to our program, have worked as costume crew in a shop or back stage, and understand the general process of creating a show from rehearsals to performance. Most importantly, we look for students who have a real passion for collaborative storytelling using costumes as their artist canvas. Applying to our program is a multi-step process, below-
DIRECTLY APPLY TO DRAMA DEPT
Submit three items to Holly Poe Durbin at hdurbin@hdurbin
- Resume
- Cover letter stating goals for study
- Link to portfolio site, file sharing or pdfs
APPLY TO GRADUATE DIVISION↗
Complete the online application here The application fee is $105 for US residents and $125 for international students. You may qualify for an application fee waiver, more info here.
OR you may apply to use through the URTA Interviews
We will view your materials through the URTA portfolio site. More information here. Email us if you are specifically interested in our program so we may schedule an interview.
Personal Interviews
After the faculty review submitted portfolios and resumes, students qualifying for the next round of consideration will be invited for an interview in person, on campus or via Skype or Zoom. A campus visit is not required for admission, but we recommend it if at all possible.
Portfolios
Every portfolio is different and will reflect your journey. We assess each individually and do not ask for a specific template. As a general rule we would like to assess these things:
Story telling
Do you understand how to create characters in a story? We judge this through several means: a complete show or script that has been fully sketched or rendered as a theoretical project, a produced show (play ,tv/streaming or film) documented with production photos, or a fashion collection that expresses a narrative or theme.
creative process
Researching characters and emotions or themes. Mood boards, color boards, swatch boards, rough sketches and finished sketches. This is a very important aspect of the design process. We like to see how you got to the final design, not just finished work.
Art Work
Exercises from art classes,a sketchbook, figure drawing, formal or informal sketches, sculptures. Examples of several media: charcoal, pencil, paint, digital media.
Object Making
Do you sew or create cosplay items or custom commissions? We’d like to see your skill level and what drives your passions.
faqS ABOUT PORTFOLIOS
How many pieces of work should be included in a portfolio?
We’d like to see a minimum of three different designs that capture a range of work approaches. For instance, each show could represent one of these: modern dress, fantasy, Western European period work, world theater, traditional cultural costumes, dance, musical theater, drama. They can be a combination of paper projects and photos of realized productions or garments. For instance, if you have been designing primarily modern dress musicals, add a paper project that focuses on period dramatic work.
Should I choose a topic or theme for a portfolio?
No. The portfolio should reflect who you are and your journey. We are trying to assess two things- where you are now and what potential you may have.
Do I need to choose a full play to develop for my portfolio?
Yes. If you don’t have a full play or musical in your portfolio, choose one as a paper project. We like to assess if you can articulate design rules for the world of the play, develop characters and create an arc throughout the entire story line.
I wasn’t a theater major, but I’ve since discovered costume design is my passion. What should I include in a portfolio?
You are in very good company! The more you have experienced life, the better artist you will be. Show us what you have been doing, but do focus on the 4 things we look for, above. Tackle some paper projects to start translating your skills to performance story telling.
