Lorna
Black

BA (Hons) Costume Design and Making now known as BA (Hons) Design for Stage and Screen (Costume Design and Construction).

What made you choose to study at NTU?
“NTU is one of the few universities in the UK that offer a course in costume, and I recognised that the course specification catered perfectly towards my career aspirations of being a costume designer and maker. The day I came for the interview, I just knew it was the right place for me.”

What do you enjoy most about your course?
“There are so many different elements to costume creation, and the course at NTU covers pretty much everything from historically accurate sewing to creative prop making. I feel like I have acquired a wide range of new skills that will prepare me for the industry.”

Has the course included any live projects?
“During Year Two, I was given the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Lincoln’s drama department to design and source costumes for Alan Ayckbourn’s A Bedroom Farce. This allowed me to gain some practical experience collaborating with a director to make a production come to life. It was exciting working with my fellow students on a live project and we were all so proud of the final outcome. It was a real reminder of why I love studying costume and made me excited for my future in the industry.”

Can you tell us a little bit about your time on the Chinese Costume Summer School Programme?
“During the summer I was offered a placement to study at Donghua University in Shanghai on the Chinese Costume Summer School Programme for a month. Whilst there, I gained a deep understanding of Chinese culture alongside its art and costume history. This was an amazing experience and it has inspired me to use elements of Chinese culture within my designs for my major final year project.”

Has the course included any guest speakers?
“Whilst on the course, I’ve been privileged to listen to industry veterans speak in person about their experiences within the world of costume. This has been really beneficial as it makes you aware of areas of costume that might not have been explained in depth on the course.

"I particularly enjoyed hearing from TV and film designers such as Deborah O’Brien, who had previously worked on the TV series Benidorm. It was also highly inspirational listening to Sarah Greenwood, a production designer who had worked on Academy Award winning films such as Anna Karenina and Atonement.”

How do you find the course staff?
“The staff on the course are extremely friendly and supportive, and they really encourage you to push creative boundaries. It is incredible to have staff who specialise in different areas of costume to learn the skills they have to offer, which ultimately helps your work progress. Furthermore, I feel like all staff members really care about the wellbeing of all students inside and outside the classroom.”

Have you completed any work placements?
“I have been fortunate enough to gain a work placement at the reputable Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon. There I worked in the menswear department where I assisted the costume team who offered me a wealth of extremely beneficial knowledge and expertise. This experience gave me a clearer idea of what career path I’d like to take once I graduate.”