Theatre production often start off with a germ of an idea, this Book explains the process that designers can go through to achieved the finished result that we all see on stage. This book looks at a variety of mediums such as costume, lighting, audio and/or projection. It shows how the nugget of an idea becomes a polished relativity. It looks at the inner workings of the design process.

It uses real life shows to demonstrate the process.It talks about collaboration, vulnerability as a designer in a team. So it covers the design holistically. It discusses such topics as the key elements of design, brainstorming ideas, idea generations just to name a few. This book is suitable for both the novice or the experienced designer. This text will stimulate your thought processes in regards to designing for theatre.

As you make your way through the text you come across different views on the design process, no matter what field you are designing in. It can guide you through the design thought processes. The explains the nature of theatre, how theatre can change us, and how the process of good theatre is collaboration. It explains the goal of the designer, and the key elements of design. 

It also covers things like”Thinking about thinking”, the generation of ideas and defining the creative process. You exposed to a variety of thoughts on how to design, how to cope with mental blanks and gathering inspiration. It gives you some ideas on script analysis and researching. It includes some good little exercises to go through. It breaks down the design process and examines it in detail. It then puts it all together for you to present a complete design that will complement the show and stimulate the mind.

As a lighting designer I found this book stimulated me into thinking about my design process, and to look at other methods into arriving at my lighting design. I am sure other designers will find this book very useful. Weather you are a beginner or a seasoned professional you will get a lot from this text.

You can get this book from Focal Press.
Unmasking Theatre Design – A designer’s guide to finding inspiration and cultivating creativity
by Lynne Porter

ISBN: 978-0-415-73841-5 (Paperback)