LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are able to:
- Express their own artistic vision and explore their creative potential as costume designers for a performing arts or film project based on or inspired by music.
- Develop work methods and design processes with a research-centred approach.
- Propose a costume design concept for complex and large scale projects for different performing arts or film forms.
- Present a costume design concept using visual, verbal and written means at a professional level, reflecting their own artistic research and giving clear information for its realisation.
Credits: 9
Schedule: 12.11.2024 - 13.12.2024
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sofia Pantouvaki
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Prof. Sofia Pantouvaki, email: sofia.pantouvaki@aalto.fi
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
The course focuses on the development of the students' personal artistic vision and research-centred creative enquiry for the design of costumes for live or mediated performance based on or inspired by music. The students conduct independent artistic research and design a complex and large-scale project for a form of performance based on a music-led narrative, looking at costume as a temporal, sociocultural and spatial practice. Aspects under consideration include the two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional character of costume and the viewers' position and frame. Experimentation and testing of ideas is strongly encouraged. The course also addresses practical and organizational aspects related to costume production. The students' creative ideas are communicated and presented frequently during the course for constructive feedback and development. The final presentation (verbal, visual and written) includes costume designs, documentation of the research undertaken, a written statement on the central concept, and information for the realisation of the proposed ideas.
applies in this implementation
Content
The Costume Design Lab course focuses on the development of the students’ personal artistic vision and research-centred creative enquiry for the design of costumes for live or mediated performance based on or inspired by music. The students conduct independent artistic research and design a large-scale project based on a music-led narrative, looking at costume as a temporal, sociocultural and spatial practice. During the course, students will study a musical piece and focus on working with/inspired by music.
This year the Costume Design Lab uses a well-known musical work from global operatic dramaturgy. The project has a triple focus: a) to create a new costume design concept; b) to investigate the relationship between individual/solo characters and chorus, looking at costume as part of the stage composition; and c) to demonstrate ability to proceed to the design and planning of a large-scale project. The course is conceptual and has an experimental nature.
After introductory lectures and study of the musical dramaturgy (music/score and text/libretto), the course focuses on the students’ personal artistic ideas, design research and concept development for the design of the characters. The course concludes with the presentation of a complete costume design concept. This will include costume designs for the characters (main roles and chorus), technical sketches, documentation of materials, details and accessories, and a short, written essay analysing the concept. The course might also include the realization of one selected costume, or part of it, as sample of the concept (upon agreement with the tutor).
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Students' development during the course, motivation, independent and group work outcomes, attendance (min. 80%) and active participation in discussions.
applies in this implementation
Assessment areas: Attendance to lectures and discussions, attendance to group meetings and feedback sessions; prompt preparation of requested tasks; finalization of a costume design project (final designs with samples of materials and technical drawings), portfolio and short written essay presenting the concept.
Evaluation criteria: active participation to discussions; expression of interest and curiosity, personal enquiry and personal development; support towards fellow students’ work; analytical and critical attitude; development of creative ideas; ability to conduct research from a personal perspective; ability to document the ideas and to express an argument using visual and verbal means; ability to conclude the design project with analysis of ideas and materials.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Contact teaching: Lectures, discussions, presentations 97 hours. Independent work 146 hours.
Attending the first day of the course is required.
At least 80% participation in contact teaching is mandatory to complete the course. If, due to absences, the student does not achieve the learning outcomes defined in the course description, the remaining 20% may have to be compensated as determined by the responsible teachers of the course. All absences must be reported to the teachers in charge. The responsible teachers of the course will specify the necessary compensating assignments.
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Texts used in the course will be informed in advance to registered students if related to pre-assignments, and/or will be handed out during the contact sessions
applies in this implementation
Study materials will be handed out during the course.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
4 Quality Education
5 Gender Equality
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
10 Reduced Inequality
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: English
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn II
2025-2026 No teachingRegistration:
Registration for courses Sisu. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https//www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts
applies in this implementation
The course will be held primarily on campus, room P104 Projekti M in Väre. Occasionally or where necessary, select contact sessions might be held online (via Zoom). We will discuss this on the first day.
Please take into consideration the extent of the independent work and reserve time for the course as indicated in the schedule. Attendance of sessions marked as ‘group sessions’ are compulsory as they will help you follow the course.
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
Schedule
Tuesday 12.11.
9:15-10:45 Introduction to the course. Opera frame & terms. (group session, 1,5h)
11-12 Background – Lecture: Opera History (group session, 1h)
13:15-16 Lecture: Opera History (continues) (group session, 3h)
Wednesday 13.11.
9:15-11:30 Lecture: Opera Characters & Voices (group session, 2h)
13-17 Independent work (listening task)
Thursday 14.11.
9:15-12 Music and Dramaturgy, analysis of musical score I (group session, 3h)
13:15-17 Music and Dramaturgy, analysis of musical score II (group session, 4h)
Friday 15.11.
9-17 Independent work (study of music & libretto, breakdown to acts & scenes)
Week 47
Tuesday 19.11.
9-15 Independent work (personal research, breakdown)
15-17 Presentations: Students share their personal research and breakdown of the opera (group session, 2,5h)
Wednesday 20.11.
9:30-11 Visit to Finnish National Opera. Host: Erika Turunen.
Opera visit: The meeting point is the lobby at the Opera House Staff entrance. The staff entrance is located on the Mannerheimintie side of the opera, 10-20 meters from the main entrance. The security guard will let you in, and Erika will come and pick you up from the Lobby at 9:30. Erika’s phone number is 0443604509, in case of need.
11-12 Transfer to campus
13-14:30 Discussion with professional opera performer (group session, 1,5h)
14:30-17 Independent work on Task 1
Thursday 21.11.
9-17 Independent work on Task 1
Friday 22.11.
9:15-11.45 Discussion, students’ preliminary ideas/responses to the opera (group session, 2,5h)
13-17 Independent work on Task 1 (personal research, concept maps)
Week 48
Tuesday 26.11.
9-17 Independent work: Task 1 (design ideas, mood boards, main character design)
14:30-17 Tutorials (campus or online). Tutor’s feedback to preliminary ideas (schedule to be agreed) (personal tutorials, 30’mins per student, incl. tutor break). Other students continue independent work.
Wednesday 27.11.
9-17 Independent work: Task 1 (ideas for costumes, visual references, preliminary sketches for main characters)
9:30-12 Tutorials (campus or online). Tutor’s feedback to preliminary ideas (schedule to be agreed) (personal tutorials, 30’mins per student, incl. tutor break). Other students continue independent work.
Thursday 28.11.
9:15-12 Student presentations: Task 1 (ideas for costumes, visual references, preliminary sketches for main characters), 15’ mins/student & tutor feedback (group session, 3h)
13-17 Independent work: Task 1 (ideas for costumes, visual references, preliminary sketches for main characters, continues)
Friday 29.11.
9:15-11.45 Group discussion: follow-up. Lecture: Costume and Chorus (group session, 2,5h)
13-17 Independent work: revisions based on feedback/discussion & finalization of all parts of Task 1
Submission of Task 1 on Friday 29.11 by 17:00.
Week 49
Tuesday 3.12.
9-17 Independent work: Task 2. Costume design for main characters & chorus.
Wednesday 4.12.
9-17 Independent work: Task 2. Costume design for main characters & chorus.
13:30-16 Tutorials (online). Tutor’s feedback to preliminary ideas (schedule to be agreed) (personal tutorials, 30’mins per student, incl. tutor break). Other students continue independent work.
Thursday 5.12.
9-17 Independent work: Task 2. Design development based on feedback (costume design for main characters & chorus).
13:30-16 Tutorials (online). Tutor’s feedback to preliminary ideas (schedule to be agreed) (personal tutorials, 30’mins per student, incl. tutor break). Other students continue independent work.
Friday 6.12.
Independence Day
Week 50
Tuesday 10.12.
9-17 Independent work: Task 2. Costume designs for main characters & chorus, materials, samples and tech details.
Wednesday 11.12.
9:15-10:45 Catch up with group. Questions, guidelines for Task 2 (Final Portfolio). (group session, 1,5h)
11-17 Independent work: Task 2. Costume designs, materials, written concept.
Thursday 12.12.
9:15-15 Final Presentations of project (group session, 5h)
15-17 Independent work (concept, design and materials for final portfolio)
Friday 13.12.
9:15-10:45 Final discussion and feedback (group session, 1,5h)
11-17 Independent work: finalization of all parts of Task 2.
Submission of Task 2: Final Portfolio on Friday 13.12. by 17:00.