Contemporary Design
Contemporary Design in costume and fashion refers to creating modern, current-day clothing and costumes that reflect present-day styles and trends. Unlike period or historical costume design, contemporary design focuses on what people wear today. This approach is commonly used in movies, theater productions, or fashion collections set in the present time. It requires understanding current fashion trends, modern materials, and how today's people dress in different situations. Related terms include "modern design," "current fashion," or "present-day costume design."
Examples in Resumes
Designed Contemporary Design costumes for an off-Broadway production set in New York City
Created Contemporary costume plots for a TV series focusing on young professionals
Led the Contemporary Design department for a major theater company's modern productions
Typical job title: "Contemporary Costume Designers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Contemporary Costume Designers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach creating a contemporary design concept for a large-scale production?
Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss their process of research, mood boards, budget management, team coordination, and how they ensure consistency across all costumes while maintaining modern relevance.
Q: How do you handle last-minute design changes while staying within budget?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience with quick problem-solving, resource management, and maintaining design integrity while being flexible with changes.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you research current trends for contemporary costume design?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process of tracking fashion trends, using social media, fashion magazines, street style, and how they adapt these for specific production needs.
Q: Describe your experience with fitting and alterations for contemporary costumes.
Expected Answer: Should discuss working with performers, understanding modern fit preferences, and knowledge of current fashion construction techniques.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between contemporary and period costume design?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that contemporary design focuses on current styles and modern clothing, while period design requires historical accuracy from specific time periods.
Q: How do you organize your design ideas for a contemporary production?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic tools like mood boards, sketches, fabric swatches, and digital resources used to collect and present modern design ideas.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic sketching and design presentation
- Understanding of current fashion trends
- Knowledge of modern fabrics and materials
- Basic wardrobe organization
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced design development
- Budget management
- Trend forecasting
- Team coordination
Senior (5+ years)
- Full production management
- Department leadership
- Complex budget handling
- Strategic planning and execution
Red Flags to Watch For
- Limited knowledge of current fashion trends
- No experience with modern fabric types
- Poor understanding of contemporary sizing standards
- Lack of digital design tools experience
- No portfolio of contemporary work
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Redefining Team Collaboration in a Digital Workspace
Why Your Hiring Process is a Maze (And How Design Thinking Can Turn It into a Superhighway)
Culture Add vs Culture Fit in Hiring: Why It May Be Time to Rethink Your Approach
