Design

Video produced by students Amanda Verhagen and Alina Cerminara.
Music thanks to Myles Black and the Pearly Whites.

The design specialization offers students comprehensive instruction ranging from fundamental design theory to present-day applications in Canadian theatre.

Classes are taught in our dedicated design classroom.  Class sizes are limited and students receive individual attention from nationally and internationally recognized teachers and professionals.

Undergraduate
Introductory courses in set, costume and lighting design initiate students in the history, theory and practice of theatrical design.  Students develop a graphic vocabulary, learn to conceptualize and think visually as well as study design techniques and principles.

Manual drafting and drawing are first steps for students of scenic and costume design. Computer-assisted design is also supported, especially lighting design.  Scenic design courses also involve three-dimensional communication and model-making.  Costume design classes examine materials and construction in relation to the realization of designs.  Class projects examine all elements of design and focus on the actor in space.

Undergraduate students have the opportunity to assist professional designers on main-stage productions and, occasionally, design their own productions in our theatres.

We believe students need to learn about design in a practical professional as well as theoretical context.  We cover the topics of budget, working procedures and standards, and professional membership organizations.

• Undergraduate Studies
• list of required courses for the Design specialization in the UVic Course Calendar.

Graduate Studies
The Master of Fine Arts design program is a professional program that focuses on learning by doing. Graduate students design many of the Phoenix Theatre main-stage productions and share their professional skills with undergraduate students (for example, scenic painting).

Members of the design faculty supervise all projects and productions. This is a non-thesis program and the final project involves designing one or more elements of a realized production as well as a written report about the production.

• Graduate Studies