PUPPET DESIGN

Puppetry is an ancient art form. It encompasses the fields of Visual Arts and Theatre.

It is thought that the first puppets were created around 3000 BC. They are present in all cultures. They serve to tell the human story.

puppet designers do...

• Research
• Design
• Draw
• Computer Artwork
• Construct

Untitled Slide

• Sew
• Sculpt
• Collaborate

skills needed in puppet design

• Woodworking
• Sculpting
• Painting
• Sewing
• Design

Skills, continued...

• Knowledge of history of theatre
• Knowledge of period costume
• Scenic Design
• Mold casting

WHERE TO LEARN PUPPET DESIGN
There are a number of schools that teach puppet design. There are graduate programs and independent schools that only teach puppetry. Following are a list of websites that describe specific programs.

PROGRAMS OFFERING PUPPETRY SKILLS

• drama.uconn.edu/programs/puppet-arts/ 
• http://www.sagecraft.com/puppetry/schools/
• http://www.hensonfoundation.org/
• http://theater.calarts.edu/
• http://www.humber.ca/scapa/programs/

Hansurrgen Fettig is a well known German puppet designer

Where do puppet designers work?

• They may travel, working in children's theatre.
• Some work for companies, such as Folkmanis.
• They may work for a professional theater company.
• They may work in film/animation.

Salaries of Puppet Designers/Puppeteers

Professional organizations

• The Puppet Network
• Center for Puppetry Arts
• Screen Actors Guild
• American Federation of TV & Radio Artists