Maarit Kalmakurki

 Research Summary: My doctoral research investigates the different notions of costume design in computer-animated feature films. Prior to 2001 and the production of the computer-animated feature film Shrek (costume designer Isis Mussenden), costume design in animation has been an integral part of the character development and not executed by a specialist designer. My research brings to the fore the important role and collaborative effort of the costume designer in those rare computer-animated films which have engaged a costume designer in the production. I show the different ways costumes are part of digital character’s personal identification and how they support computer-animated feature films creative narratives.

Biography: Maarit Kalmakurki, MA, is a costume and set designer with design credits in multicultural collaborative projects that span across theatre, opera, and film. Maarit is currently finalising her doctoral thesis at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland. Her pioneering doctoral research investigates the notions of digital character costume design in computer animated films. Maarit’s publications range between academic journals, professional communities and online sources for the general public. Maarit has been involved in creative, digital, and historical research projects and she has taught topics related to her design practice and research findings in higher education institutions internationally.

Supervising Professor: Sofia Pantouvaki

Thesis Advisors: Sofia Pantouvaki, Christopher Holliday (external)

Costume Design, Process and Digitalization in 3D-animated Feature Films