- If a precise replica is a design goal, work only from primary sources—photos of the original costume or hero prop, or in-game screen shots. Relying on just any ol’ Google image results will mix in a ton of concept and fan art, stunt props, plausible but inaccurate AI fakes and so forth. But…
- Accuracy isn’t everything. Sweating the details is a fun way to connect with other super fans…but to the layperson, even halfway is perfect. The 80/20 rule in action! Both approaches are valid, do it however you enjoy.
LEFT: random Halloween masks on-hand, little resemblance to these characters…but paired with the right clothes, glasses, props…all of Monsterpalooza instantly recognized Teen Wolf and his dad! Photo: @braxus
- Designing with CAD, or sculpting in miniature first? Metric units are easier to scale up versus feet, inches and fractions.
- Add hidden pockets or make a themed bag matching your costume to hold essentials. Or…
- Smartphones are indispensable, but can throw off a look. This Sheikah Slate, a faithful prop for Charlyn’s Zelda cosplay, conceals an iPhone inside! Here’s a build log.
There’s a saying in art and design, “If you can’t hide it, make it obvious.”
- If you’re not a cosplayer yourself but got roped into helping — perhaps sewing, 3D modeling or fabrication skills — a thing to understand is we really do love sweating the details, and often it’s the journey more than the finished thing that sparks joy. Don’t hesitate to show off the methodology or detective work you put in to get accurate dimensions, colors or shapes. We love that stuff!
- If incorporating electronics in a costume or prop — please, for the love of everything — do not use a solderless breadboard in the finished item! Lovely for prototyping but it will fall apart at the worst opportunity. Reliable connections are soldered. A breadboard project can be moved directly 1:1 to a Perma-Proto board for a more robust build.
Adafruit projects on this page: Overwatch Prop Gun: Lucio's Blaster.
Text editor powered by tinymce.