Design (Production, Sets, Costumes)

Part 1 of an in-depth Q&A with Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, the Tony Award-winning team behind the extraordinary puppets of "War Horse."

Part 2 of an in-depth Q&A with Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, the Tony Award-winning team behind the extraordinary puppets of "War Horse."

Does your heart beat a little faster at the thought of a fabulous array of artful GOBOs? Could you spend hours arguing the pros and cons of the latest super-digitized light boards? Are you still searching for the perfect flashlight?If so, here are some must-hit sites for stage techs and those who love them.

The London Olympics Opening Ceremony: Theatre on the Grandest Scale
The London 2012 Ceremonies Team met several prodigious staging and production challenges to transform the Olympic Stadium into a series of historic, contemporary and modern settings that reflected the cultural changes and revolutions of British society, and which welcomed the world to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Celebrating 'The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design'
The FIDM and The Academy of TV Arts & Sciences take visitors inside the costume designer's world and shining the spotlight on this year's Emmy-Nominated costume designers in The Sixth Annual Exhibition through October 20, 2012.

An overview of several terrific apps to assist, inspire and support designers in the performing arts.

A look at the new Syfy show "Hot Set," a competitive reality show in which set designers create exciting new sets from scratch in a three-day competition for a $10,000 prize.

A look at some helpful apps to assist costume designers in their tasks.

Updated Renderworks Tutorial Now Available from Daniel Jansenson
Nemetschek Vectorworks has just published a newly updated training guide for users of Vectorworks software with 'Remarkable Renderworks: An Introduction to the Basics, Second Edition.'

To assist artists and performing artists in case of natural disasters or other catastrophes, here's a list of resources that may prove invaluable to you in protecting your precious arts, crafts and other creations.

The free new enhanced eBook, 'Grimm: The Essential Guide,' is now available on Apple's iBookstore in iTunes for iPad, and the non-enhanced edition will soon be available on Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet.

15th Annual Costume Designers Guild Award Nominations Announced
Celebrating costume design excellence for film, television and commercial work, the complete list of nominees for the 15th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards were announced on January 17, 2013, with the awards to take place on February 19, 2013.

Chatting with 'Face Off' Finalist Laura Tyler
An in-depth interview with Season 3 "Face Off" finalist Laura Tyler, on her experiences during the competition, along with a peek at what she's up to next.

The results of a world-class rendering competition from Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. and MAXON Computer are in, as the companies recently announced the winners of the second annual Inspired Visions Global Rendering Competition.

Here's a helpful look at a basic Costume Plot, with a sample form costume designers can either use for printing and filling in, or as a blank template for their own costume design planning.

Winners Announced at 15th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards
The winners of the 15th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards were announced on February 19, 2013, when the Guild handed out competitive awards for costume design excellence in seven categories in film, television and commercials.

From Scythes to Jagerclaws: Behind the Props of NBC’s 'Grimm'
Get the inside scoop on the show’s design process, from fairytale weapons, to ancient monster sketches and the mysteries of Aunt Marie’s trailer, with a glimpse inside the show’s production and design from Prop Master Drew Pinniger.

An interview with Rayce Bird, the winner of Season Two of the Syfy TV show "Face Off," which pits makeup effects professionals against one another in a series of grueling challenges until a winner emerges.

A Q&A interview with acclaimed set designer David Rockwell, on his work for the Broadway show "Catch Me If You Can."

Nemetschek Vectorworks Announces Vectorworks Nomad 2.0
Nemetschek Vectorworks announces the Vectorworks Nomad 2.0 app, which is now available in the Apple App Store, as well as via Google Play.

Part one of a three-part interview with Props Master and Artisan Eric Hart, creator of Prop Agenda, on his career in props -- and his advice to other aspiring props professionals.

Get the inside secrets of NBC's "Grimm" and its design process in part two of...
Get the inside secrets of NBC's "Grimm" and its design process in part two of an in-depth interview with the show's prop master, Drew Pinniger -- from the fairytale weapons, to ancient monster sketches and the mysteries of Aunt Marie’s trailer.

Part two of a three-part interview with Props Master and Artisan Eric Hart, creator of Prop Agenda, and on staff at The Public Theater in New York.

Part three of a three-part interview with Props Master and Artisan Eric Hart, creator of Prop Agenda, and on staff at The Public Theater in New York.

An overview of graphics tablets and their uses for performing arts designers, along with a comparison chart of leading models and their features and prices.

Image Gallery: 'The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design'
Get an inside look at The 6th Annual Exhibition of "The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design," presented by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the FIDM Museum & Galleries at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. The exhibit takes place from July 31, 2012 through October 20, 2012.

5 Essential Stagecraft and Stage Tech Websites
From TCG and USITT, to some links that may surprise you, here's a review of five essential web resources on stage tech and stagecraft for those in the performing arts -- as well as an overview of how to maximize, utilize, and contact them.

The Puppets of 'War Horse'
A photo gallery spotlighting the puppet horses created by the Handspring Puppet Company for the National Theatre productions of WAR HORSE, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford with the Handspring Puppet Company, directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris.

The Designs of Guy Hendrix Dyas - Guy Dyas Production Designs - Movie Concept...
A gallery of concept art and sketches by movie production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas, from such films as 'The Brothers Grimm,' 'X2: X-Men United,' 'Superman Returns,' and 'Inception.'

Guy Hendrix Dyas on Designing Inception - Guy Hendrix Dyas Interview -...
Production Designer and 2011 Oscar nominee Guy Hendrix Dyas talks about his design challenges and inspirations for 'Inception,' as well as several other films from his career thus far.

Staging the World of 'Cavalia'
A sumptuous visual treat that is neither a 'horse show' or a 'circus' but something indefinably in between, 'Cavalia' paints a world in which human and horse coexist harmoniously side by side. The show's staging challenges are prodigious, yet each performance flawlessly enables an audience to experience a blend of man and horse, and thrilling...

What, exactly, is 'art direction?'
What is art direction? Who actually receives the Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction? And what do they do? From The Wizard of Oz to The Matrix to Inception, here's a detailed look that explains everything the art and science of art direction brings to a film. (Well, almost everything...)

2011 Oscar Nominees (Best Art Direction) Alice in Wonderland
'Alice in Wonderland' is a lush and beautiful visual journey sure to mesmerize any who are interested in design for film. From its spooky, slightly disturbing vision of Wonderland, to its muted, watery Victorian palettes, dank forests, gruesome moats, and opposing castles, it's a feast for those interested in the art of design for film.

Syfy has just announced the renewal of its hit show 'Face Off,' which pits special effects makeup specialists against one another in a reality competition airing Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

Flying Aces and Zorros, Lovers and Fools - an Interview with Holly Poe Durbin
Costume designer Holly Poe Durbin on her designs for the The Shakespeare Center’s 25th-Anniversary landmark -- an all-star production of 'Much Ado About Nothing.'

Essential Websites for Costume Designers - Costume Design Websites - Learning...
Essential Websites for Costume Designers - Costume Design Websites - Learning Costume Design - Designing Costumes

From Shakespeare to 'Tangled' -- a Conversation with Designer Douglas Rogers
An in-depth interview with theatrical set designer and 'Tangled' production designer Douglas Rogers, about his influences, his work as a set designer, his artistic process, and creative inspirations, from Shakespeare to world travel.

Drafting: The Unsung Skill
Want to design for lighting, sets, costumes, and more? Take my advice -- and learn to draft.

Production 101
Performing arts from the local and regional perspective, from little theatres to regional venues, and encompassing all aspects of staging, production, administration, promotion, and more.