Student Organized Seminar (396-0-20)
Topic
The Art of Makeup Design
Meeting Info
Wirtz 220 Wet Design Studio: Thurs 12:00PM - 2:50PM
Overview of class
This course explores the art and process of makeup design, focusing on creating visual storytelling
through research, design development, and rendering. Students will learn how to conceptualize and design
makeup looks for various mediums, including theatre, film, and photoshoots, while gaining insights into
the collaborative nature of the design process. The class is structured to be accessible for all levels, with
no requirement for makeup application or product purchases, emphasizing design as a creative
storytelling process that can be expressed through diverse media. Through guided assignments, guest
collaborations, and practical design tasks, students will develop skills in research, visual communication,
and design analysis, culminating in a final project that showcases their artistic vision. This course
encourages students to experiment, develop their design voice, and connect makeup artistry with narrative
storytelling.
Learning Objectives
To explore different styles of makeup and art in theatre, film/tv, and photoshoots.
To learn how to respectfully critique designs, including your own.
To conduct research to generate and support ideas using visual references (images, textures, palettes).
To organize and present cohesive design packets that clearly communicate the artistic vision.
To learn and understand which tools to use to present your makeup designs effectively.
Evaluation Method
Please note that this is a pass/fail course. Grading is not based on the quality of your work, but rather your
ability to take notes, create an active and supportive learning environment for yourself and your peers,
and be punctual with assignments and class attendance. You will be graded on a point scale, and any point
total over 70 points earns a pass! That being said, I encourage you to not focus on grades, but rather try
your best to connect with the course material and treat this as a creative endeavour. The final project is
flexible and can be suited to what would be most exciting and beneficial to you whether that be design
work, doing multiple design packets, refining previous work, or executing makeup designs.
Class Materials (Required)
Access to Keynote, Powerpoint, Google slides, or any presentation software of your choosing.
Piece of media (short story, poem, play, musical, or film script) of your choosing.
Medium of rendering (iPad, laptop, pen and paper, pencil and paper, etc.) of your choosing.
Class Materials (Suggested)
Makeup supplies such as foundation, eyeshadow, cream paints, water activated paints, alcohol
activated paints, etc.
Special effects makeup supplies such as liquid latex, silicone, scar wax, fake blood, etc.
Unconventional materials that you may use in your makeup designs.
A portfolio to accommodate your paper and projects.
Art supplies such as pencils, erasers, pens, colored pencils, crayons, paints, brushes, etc.
Mixed media, Bristol or watercolor paper.
Other visual medium that you are interested in exploring.
Class Notes
No experience in makeup is required for The Art of Makeup. The course is open to students of all levels
and everybody is encouraged to explore new techniques and creative approaches. Acknowledging that
everyone has different levels of makeup experience and also different financial statuses, this class will
focus mainly on designing makeup and understanding different styles of makeup designs. There are no
prerequisites required for this course nor are there any materials that are required to be purchased for the
class. It is entirely optional for students to purchase any products or use any of their own materials for the
class. However, please note that you will be asked to create renderings which may require you to use
certain materials based on how you choose to go about your renderings (such as an iPad, paper and pencil,
paint, and other art materials).
The entire class can be done without any makeup products whatsoever and students do not need to apply
makeup on themselves or others to get full credit for the class. You will be taught and graded on design
work. If students desire, they are absolutely more than welcome to execute makeup looks for the class.
The curriculum is structured so that you can design and execute up to a maximum of 20 looks.