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Home > Drama > HSC Course > Individual Project > Set Design > A student's guide to HSC Design individual projects

Creating a design project

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Set design	Promotion and program design	Costume Design

You need to have a clear understanding of the designer's role in their chosen area. The designer perceives a play as a whole production and develops a design that is a visual representation of this production. The areas of design in the HSC course are:

1. Costume
2. Lighting
3. Promotion and Program
4. Set.

Understanding project requirements

Review the specific design area requirements from the course prescriptions document. You will get a clear understanding of the requirements of each of the design projects from these documents.

To begin, explore finished products and work samples in your design area which may include renderings, 3D models, lighting plans, patching charts and running cue sheets, posters, programs and media releases as appropriate. These can be viewed at performing arts institutions, community and regional theatres such as Sydney Theatre Company , Belvoir Street Theatre , Sydney Opera House or NIDA . You should collect samples or photos of design products and put them in your logbook for future reference.

Choosing the best text

You should read all the texts on the current Design and Critical Analysis Text List . The best play for you is the one that:

1. interests you
2. offers enough range for you to demonstrate your design skill

After the first reading of the script, you could brainstorm your initial response to the play.

You should consider such elements as:

1. main ideas
2. style
3. setting
4. atmosphere
5. characters
6. colours
7. images
8. words
9. symbols
10. objects
11. shapes and mood.

In one sentence you should sum up the central ideas of the play. At this point start collecting visual material that relates to your response.

Second reading

This time make a close study of the play, writing detailed notes relevant to the specific design area.

Research

While research should have begun, this will be an intensive period of trial and error. What are the possibilities within the directorial limitations imposed?

Experimentation needs to be integrated with research on textures, colours, symbols, styles, lights, arrangements, print styles and images. This research should be carried outwhile constantly referring to the text. Previous design approaches to the text should also be investigated.

Design concept

By this stage you should have decided on your design concept. The design concept is the visual metaphor for the play and should be an integrated whole, rather than based on a piecemeal approach. It will evoke a clear, immediate interpretation of the play. A rationale should be written describing the concept and the approach that has been taken in the development and execution of the design project. The rationale will be an explanation of the directorial concept, which provides a coherent vision of the play that you are designing.

Execution of the project

You need to ensure that they have the appropriate materials and resources to create the project. You may need to seek technical advice from other sources. This advice must be recorded in the logbook.You should refer to examination reports, specifications and assessment criteria to ensure that projects are heading in the right direction.

Presentation

This is an essential component of the design process and should be given careful consideration. The presentation of the project should be clear, neat, artistic and methodical. The project should comply with the examination specifications for weight and size outlined in the syllabus.