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The Art of Costume and Set Design
Online course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
This course will explore designing for film, television and theatre. It will examine the different techniques for each medium and how set and costume designers work together to create new worlds. Set designers, art directors, set dressers and costume designers create everything that is seen on stage and screen. The environments imagined by the set designer is complemented by the characters defined by the costumes, and this collaboration creates a believable world.
Learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with 10 hours of study over 5 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 5 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
Course Leader
Keith Lodwick
Keith is a writer, curator and theatre and film historian. He is the former Curator of Theatre and Screen Arts at the V&A. Here, Keith was assistant curator for Hollywood Costume (2012) and curated the exhibition Vivien Leigh: Public Faces, Private Lives, which toured the UK. Keith has also contribute to a wide range of publications.
The course was amazing. Many thanks to Keith Lodwick, his guest lecturers and the V&A team for fabulous content and a great experience. Previous V&A Academy Online Course Attendee
Course overview
This course will explore designing for film, television and theatre. It will examine the different techniques for each medium and how set and costume designers work together to create new worlds.
Set designers, art directors, set dressers and costume designers create everything that is seen on stage and screen. The environments imagined by the set designer is complemented by the characters defined by the costumes, and this collaboration creates a believable world.
This course focuses on the best practitioners across theatre, film and television. From the Ballets Russes, the Golden Age of Hollywood and long running series like The Crown, set and costume are essential tools of story-telling.
V&A Academy regular Keith Lodwick will be joined by Cathy Whitlock (Designs on Film: A Century of Hollywood Art Direction) and Emily Harris, V&A Curator of Film (TBC) and Jane Pritchard, V&A Curator of Dance. The course will end with a special interview with a leading industry professional.
Set designers, art directors, set dressers and costume designers create everything that is seen on stage and screen. The environments imagined by the set designer is complemented by the characters defined by the costumes, and this collaboration creates a believable world.
This course focuses on the best practitioners across theatre, film and television. From the Ballets Russes, the Golden Age of Hollywood and long running series like The Crown, set and costume are essential tools of story-telling.
V&A Academy regular Keith Lodwick will be joined by Cathy Whitlock (Designs on Film: A Century of Hollywood Art Direction) and Emily Harris, V&A Curator of Film (TBC) and Jane Pritchard, V&A Curator of Dance. The course will end with a special interview with a leading industry professional.
V&A Academy Online. A learning environment you can trust.
Our courses are built using the latest Microsoft software. Tune in to expert lectures live or catch up on demand. Join discussions and continue your learning with downloadable handouts and presentations.
See FAQs to learn more about joining online.
See FAQs to learn more about joining online.
Enrol now
Online course: The Art of Costume and Set Design
30 October 2025 - 27 November 2025
£125.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
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Header image: The Wizard of Oz (1939) Cedric Gibbons