Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 9:41 PM AWST
23/07/2026 9:41 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Design costumes
Design costumes
Unit of competency
National Code
CUFCOS504A
CUFCOS504A
State Code
D1104
D1104
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/09/2014
Field of Education
030107 - Garment Making
Original Release Date
30/09/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design costumes for the screen, media and entertainment industries.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Interpret creative briefs
- 1. Analyse performance outlines/scripts to determine overall production concepts
- 2. Participate in preliminary concept meetings with relevant personnel to clarify understanding of costume design requirements
- 3. Identify factors that may have an impact on the design process
- 4. With reference to production documentation, itemise elements that need to be addressed during the design phase
Conduct research
- 5. Identify and source references that may inform the design process
- 6. Critically analyse sources and references in the context of design projects
- 7. Consider the impact and potential of new and emerging technologies to inform the design process
- 8. Collect, collate and adapt materials to develop initial design concepts
- 9. Organise research material for ease of access by relevant personnel during the design development process
Generate and assess ideas
- 10. Generate a range of costume design ideas that respond sympathetically to the brief and provide creative solutions to design issues
- 11. Assess ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to maximise contribution of ideas to initial concepts
- 12. Continuously reflect on and appraise ideas for implications on cost, technical feasibility and creative requirements
Develop and document designs
- 13. Hold ongoing discussions with relevant personnel so that additional requirements and new ideas are considered and incorporated during the development of designs
- 14. Ensure that agreement is reached with relevant personnel in relation to consistent artistic interpretation
- 15. Evaluate initial concepts and select the most appropriate approach, giving consideration to budget, research findings and ongoing reflection/discussion
- 16. Develop costume designs from initial concepts ensuring that all production and design factors are taken into account
- 17. Organise or undertake testing and experimentation with selected costume designs
- 18. Develop accurate records of designs, including relevant information
Finalise designs
- 19. Present draft costume construction plans and specifications to relevant personnel in an appropriate format
- 20. Participate in initial and ongoing evaluation of presented designs
- 21. Negotiate and agree to modifications and amend designs as required
- 22. Produce accurate and comprehensive documentation to support implementation of designs
- 23. Present final designs, plans and specifications to relevant personnel and confirm that all production requirements have been met
- 24. Reflect on own role in design process and note areas for future improvement
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant personnel may include:
costume production staff
director
director of photography
floor manager
make-up and hair personnel
other specialist staff
performers
producer
production designer
production manager
stage manager
wardrobe department personnel
wardrobe supervisor/manager.
Costumes may include:
accessories
basic styles, e.g.:
pants
shorts
skirts
blouses
contemporary wear
corsetry
costume jewellery
dance wear
female, male, child and animal costumes
millinery
padding
pre-production toiles
tailored costumes
undergarments.
Factors may include:
availability of personnel
availability of resources
available budget
effective use of resources
expectations of producers and/or directors
needs of other production areas
production schedule
production values
research findings
role of designer in the costume construction phase
space/venue specifications or restrictions
style/period/nature of production
timelines.
Documentation may include:
call sheets
computer generated
costume break-down lists
costume patterns
costume plots
descriptive costume checklists
manually written
manufacture schedules
manufacturer specifications/instructions
measurement charts
memos of instruction
operational/project plan
production schedules
running sheets
scripts.
References may include:
collages
digital images
film, video
internet
models
musical scores
paintings and illustrations
photographs
reference books/journals/texts
scripts
sketches
technical production drawings
writings of the period.
Records may include:
mock-ups
plans, computer or manually generated
samples
specifications.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant personnel may include:
costume production staff
director
director of photography
floor manager
make-up and hair personnel
other specialist staff
performers
producer
production designer
production manager
stage manager
wardrobe department personnel
wardrobe supervisor/manager.
Costumes may include:
accessories
basic styles, e.g.:
pants
shorts
skirts
blouses
contemporary wear
corsetry
costume jewellery
dance wear
female, male, child and animal costumes
millinery
padding
pre-production toiles
tailored costumes
undergarments.
Factors may include:
availability of personnel
availability of resources
available budget
effective use of resources
expectations of producers and/or directors
needs of other production areas
production schedule
production values
research findings
role of designer in the costume construction phase
space/venue specifications or restrictions
style/period/nature of production
timelines.
Documentation may include:
call sheets
computer generated
costume break-down lists
costume patterns
costume plots
descriptive costume checklists
manually written
manufacture schedules
manufacturer specifications/instructions
measurement charts
memos of instruction
operational/project plan
production schedules
running sheets
scripts.
References may include:
collages
digital images
film, video
internet
models
musical scores
paintings and illustrations
photographs
reference books/journals/texts
scripts
sketches
technical production drawings
writings of the period.
Records may include:
mock-ups
plans, computer or manually generated
samples
specifications.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
documented costume designs that demonstrate an ability to:
take production environment and constraints into account
meet creative requirements of productions
undertake research to inform the design process
meet deadlines
effective communication and negotiation skills in the context of finalising costume designs
collaborative approach to work.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through a range of costume design assignments for at least two productions
access to productions that require the design of costumes
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
evaluation of costume design documentation prepared by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met
observation of the candidate presenting costume designs to colleagues for discussion to assess candidate's communication and negotiation skills
written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit and to evaluate the processes used in developing and realising creative concepts
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBDES402A Interpret and respond to a design brief
CUEIND02B Research and evaluate theatrical references to inform industry practice
CUFCOS505A Realise costumes.
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
documented costume designs that demonstrate an ability to:
take production environment and constraints into account
meet creative requirements of productions
undertake research to inform the design process
meet deadlines
effective communication and negotiation skills in the context of finalising costume designs
collaborative approach to work.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through a range of costume design assignments for at least two productions
access to productions that require the design of costumes
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
evaluation of costume design documentation prepared by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met
observation of the candidate presenting costume designs to colleagues for discussion to assess candidate's communication and negotiation skills
written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit and to evaluate the processes used in developing and realising creative concepts
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBDES402A Interpret and respond to a design brief
CUEIND02B Research and evaluate theatrical references to inform industry practice
CUFCOS505A Realise costumes.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWJ47 | CUACOS509 | Design costumes | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D205 | CUF50507 | Diploma of Costume for Performance | Qualification |
| J706 | CUA50513 | Diploma of Live Production Design | Qualification |