JD Institute of Fashion Technology
Fashion Jediiians Master Character and Costume Design with UAL Expert, Prof. Amy Hare

In the world of creative arts, understanding how a character’s clothes tell their story is the difference between a simple outfit and a masterpiece of design. This crucial skill was the focus of an intensive Workshop on Character, Costume and 3D Illustration recently held at the JD Institute of Fashion Technology.

The exciting event, brought students face-to-face with global creative excellence through a collaboration with the internationally recognized University of the Arts London (UAL).

This partnership is a testament to JD Institute’s commitment to providing students with valuable exposure to global pedagogy and contemporary industry standards in creative design.

Understanding the Aim of the Workshop

The Workshop on Character, Costume and 3D Illustration was designed to help students understand how costumes are more than just clothing. They carry personality, identity, and stories. Prof. Amy Hare introduced students to the process of character development and how costumes play a central role in visual storytelling.

The workshop focused on three core areas:

Character Development: Learning how to build a story around a character and using costume to enhance that personality.

Costume as a Storytelling Tool: Understanding how materials, textures, colours, and silhouettes communicate emotions and traits.

3D Illustration: Exploring how costume forms evolve from sketches to three-dimensional structures.

Through step-by-step demonstrations, Prof. Hare helped students see how designers use research, observation, and experimentation to bring characters to life.

This global exposure aligned with JD Institute’s commitment to offering advanced and international learning opportunities to its students.

Hands-On Experience

One of the strongest parts of the workshop was the interactive learning environment it created. Students actively participated in:

Conceptualization: The session began with intensive visual research, sketching, and concept discussions, helping students solidify the theoretical foundations of their character designs.

Hands-On Construction: Students then transitioned to hands-on costume construction tasks. They worked collaboratively to build expressive headpieces and experiment with materials, learning how different fabrics and components interact to create desired effects.

Applying 3D Thinking: The most transformative part of the workshop involved applying 3D thinking on a live model. This exercise allowed students to study proportion and character expression in real-time, moving their ideas from flat sketches into dynamic, wearable forms.

With personalized guidance from Prof. Hare, students were able to effectively transform their abstract design ideas into compelling, effective costume forms.

About the Expert: Prof. Amy Hare

The presence of Prof. Amy Hare made the workshop truly impactful. She is a distinguished lecturer at University of the Arts London (UAL) and an expert in Costume History and Craft Practice.

Her experience spans across major creative industries, including:

• Film
• Theatre
• Television 

She has contributed as a tailor in several renowned institutions such as Sands Films, Angels, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and the BBC.

Prof. Hare holds a postgraduate degree in the History of Design from the University of Oxford. She has taught at prestigious places including the Royal School of Needlework, University of Oxford, and Shanghai Institute of Visual Art. She is also working on an AHRC-funded PhD focusing on period costume making.

A Step Toward Global Learning

The Workshop on Character, Costume and 3D Illustration demonstrated JD Institute’s dedication to offering students international exposure and industry-relevant learning.

By interacting with a globally renowned academic professional, students gained a practical understanding of costume construction, storytelling through design, and 3D creative thinking. Workshops like this not only build creative confidence but also prepare students for careers across fashion, costume design, film, theatre, and digital character design.

Wish to bring stories alive through costume and design? Begin your path at JD Institute.