Profession make-up and hair designer

Make-up and hair designers develop a design concept for make-up and hair of performers and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. Make-up and hair designers develop sketches, design drawings or other documentation to support the workshop and performance crew. Make-up designers sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating make-up art outside a performance context.  

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Artistic / Enterprising
• Artistic / Realistic
• Realistic / Enterprising
• Enterprising / Realistic

Skills

• Verify feasibility

  Interpret an artistic plan and verify whether the described design can be executed.

• Develop design ideas cooperatively

  Share and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design fits with the work of other designers.

• Communicate during show

  Efficient communication during live performance, anticipate any possible malfunctioning.

• Design make-up effects

  Develop and apply special make-up including effects.

• Decide on wig making process

  Decide on what materials and techniques to use for performance wigs, and document the decision.

• Draw make-up sketches

  Sketch make-up designs to develop the concept and share with others.

• Translate artistic concepts to technical designs

  Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.

• Adapt existing designs to changed circumstances

  Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.

• Monitor developments in technology used for design

  Identify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Propose improvements to artistic production

  Assess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.

• Research new ideas

  Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.

• Monitor sociological trends

  Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.

• Update design results during rehearsals

  Updating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.

• Safeguard artistic quality of performance

  Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.

• Decide on make-up process

  Define the make-up materials and methods you willl use.

• Work safely with chemicals

  Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.

• Analyse a script

  Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.

• Understand artistic concepts

  Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.

• Analyse score

  Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.

• Perform quality control of design during a run

  Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.

• Develop design concept

  Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.

• Analyse the scenography

  Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.

• Analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions

  Analyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production.

• Coach staff for running the performance

  Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.

• Adapt to artists' creative demands

  Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.

• Use communication equipment

  Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.

• Present detailed design proposals

  Prepare and present detailed design suggestions for a specific production to a mixed group of people, including technical, artistic and management staff.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB