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.

The following job titles also refer to make-up and hair designer:

make up & hair artist
hair and make-up designer
hair designer & make up artist
make-up and hair artist
hair designer and make-up artist
hair and make-up artist
wig designer
hair and make up designer
hair designer and make up artist
hair & make-up designer
hair and make up artist
make-up & hair designer
hair and makeup artist
make up and hair designer
make-up, hair and wig designer
hair & make-up artist
makeup & hair artist
make-up artist & hair designer
make up and hair artist
make up artist & hair designer
makeup and hair artist
hair designer & make-up artist
hair & make up artist
hair & make up designer
make-up artist and hair designer
make-up & hair artist
make up artist and hair designer
make-up, hair and wig artist
hair & makeup artist
make up & hair designer

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a make-up and hair designer.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Make-up and hair designer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to make-up and hair designer.

performance hairdresser
wig and hairpiece maker
instrument technician
make-up artist
tent installer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of make-up and hair designer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of make-up and hair designer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

pyrotechnic designer
lighting designer
set designer
sound designer
flying director

These skills are necessary for the role of make-up and hair designer.

• 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.
• 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.
• Decide on make-up process: Define the make-up materials and methods you willl use.
• Understand artistic concepts: Interpret an artist’s explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
• Safeguard artistic quality of performance: Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
• Analyse score: Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.
• Monitor sociological trends: Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
• Analyse the scenography: Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.
• Perform quality control of design during a run: Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.
• Communicate during show: Efficient communication during live performance, anticipate any possible malfunctioning.
• 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.
• Research new ideas: Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.
• 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.
• Verify feasibility: Interpret an artistic plan and verify whether the described design can be executed.
• Use communication equipment: Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.
• 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.
• Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
• Coach staff for running the performance: Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.
• Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
• Analyse a script: Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
• Draw make-up sketches: Sketch make-up designs to develop the concept and share with others.
• Propose improvements to artistic production: Assess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.
• Decide on wig making process: Decide on what materials and techniques to use for performance wigs, and document the decision.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Design make-up effects: Develop and apply special make-up including effects.
• 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.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of make-up and hair designer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Labour legislation: Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.
• Copyright legislation: Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of make-up and hair designer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Draw up artistic production: File and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.
• Lead a team: Lead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.
• Provide documentation: Prepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.
• Test make-up: Perform routine tests to determine if make-up products are adequate.
• Dye wigs: Apply dyes to wigs to obtain the desired colour.
• Update budget: Make sure that a given budget remains up to date using most recent and most accurate information. Anticipate possible variations and ensure that the set budgetary goals can be reached within the given context.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Prevent fire in a performance environment: Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.
• Analyse the need for technical resources: Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
• Create wigs: Design and maintain wigs and hairpieces.
• Organise resources for artistic production: Coordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Create lifecasts: Use specialised products such as silicones to create moulds of a person’s hand, face, or other body parts in a process called lifecasting. Use moulds or other materials to create medical devices in the prosthetic and orthotic field.
• Work with respect for own safety: Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
• Document your own practice: Documenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.

5142 – Beauticians and related workers

References

1. Make-up and hair designer – ESCO