We surveyed 617 costume designers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical costume designer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a costume designer?
Low
High
Working as a costume designer typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.
Can I learn to become a costume designer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a costume designer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a costume designer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically quite difficult to find a job as a costume designer.
Do costume designers work full-time or part-time?
37% of costume designers work in full-time roles while 63% work part-time.
Is being a costume designer stressful?
Low
High
Costume designers tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a costume designer?
Low
High
Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being a costume designer.
How competitive is the workplace for costume designers?
Low
High
Costume designers see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being a costume designer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for costume designers.
Are costume designers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Creativity is intrinsic to being a costume designer, and a highly valuable part of the career.
Do costume designers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Costume designers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a costume designer physically demanding?
Low
High
Being a costume designer may occasionally require demanding physical activity, which may make it not a suitable career choice for everyone.
Are costume designers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, costume designers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being a costume designer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a costume designer.
Does being a good costume designer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a costume designer.