Today we’d like to introduce you to Nuoyan Guan
Hi Nuoyan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey in fashion design, where I developed a strong foundation in garment construction and aesthetics. However, during my studies, I received feedback that my designs often had a theatrical quality. That realization, combined with my lifelong passion for storytelling, film, and theater, led me to explore costume design as a career.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I focused on building a portfolio centered on costume design, which ultimately led me to CalArts, where I am now completing my MFA in Costume Design. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to design for theater productions, films, and dance performances, working with schools like USC, AFI, and ACCD.
My journey has been about bridging costumes and storytelling, learning how costumes enhance a character’s presence on stage or screen. It has been an exciting evolution, and I look forward to continuing to create designs that bring narratives to life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped me into a better designer. One of the biggest transitions was shifting from fashion design to costume design. Fashion tends to be more individualistic, where a designer expresses their own vision, while costume design requires collaboration and adaptability, ensuring that every piece serves the story and the character rather than personal aesthetics.
Another challenge was learning to effectively communicate my ideas. Early on, I struggled to articulate my design concepts to directors and production teams, often relying on excessive sketches to explain my vision. Over time, I improved my visual communication skills, using reference images, fabric swatches, and clear storytelling to convey my ideas more efficiently.
Time constraints have also been a major hurdle. I’ve had projects where I had to redesign costumes at the last minute due to unexpected changes in production. These experiences taught me to be resourceful, adaptable, and to problem-solve under pressure.
Despite these struggles, each challenge has reinforced my passion for costume design and helped me grow not just as a designer, but as a team player in a fast-paced creative industry.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a costume designer with a background in fashion design, specializing in creating costumes that not only complement a character’s identity but also enhance the overall storytelling. My work spans theater, film, and dance, and I have designed for productions at CalArts, USC, AFI, and ACCD.
What I take pride in most is my ability to merge strong garment construction with deep narrative understanding. Coming from a fashion design background, I bring a technical precision to my work, ensuring that costumes are both visually striking and functional for performance. At the same time, I focus on the psychology of clothing, using fabric, color, and silhouette to subtly reflect a character’s arc and emotional state.
What sets me apart is my story-driven approach. I don’t just design costumes—I build worlds through clothing, ensuring that every piece feels authentic to its setting and its character. Whether it’s historical accuracy, futuristic imagination, or abstract conceptualization, I strive to make costumes that feel like a natural extension of the story rather than just decorative elements.
Ultimately, my goal is to create designs that not only serve the production but also leave a lasting impact—making characters more real, narratives more immersive, and visual storytelling more powerful.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love how diverse and creatively vibrant this city is. It’s a place where artists, filmmakers, and performers from all backgrounds come together, constantly inspiring one another. The energy here is incredible—there’s always something happening, whether it’s a new theater production, a film screening, or an art exhibition. As a costume designer, being surrounded by so many different cultures, styles, and artistic influences fuels my creativity and pushes me to explore new ideas.
If I had to pick something I like least, it would probably be the transportation and traffic. Getting around can be challenging, especially when you’re hauling fabrics, costumes, or supplies across town. But at the same time, the city’s creative energy makes up for it—there’s nowhere else quite like it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nuoyanguan.cargo.site/#theater
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbinuo?igsh=MXUyMDB3NzQ5MTBhcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
