Cosplay Costume Creation - Level 2
In this level, you will have the opportunity to dive deeper into the art of cosplay costume construction. The final challenge will be to construct a Cosplay costume and take a photo of it on the actor it was created for.
On your journey to tackle the Final Challenge and complete the Level, you will need to earn 2 Power Ups and gain 2 Experience Points along the way.
In this level, you will:
- Power Up by identifying the requirements for a functional costume design
- Gain Experience by taking and recording accurate body measurements
- Power Up by researching techniques for creating cosplay costume pieces
- Gain Experience by crafting your Cosplay costume pieces
- Take on the Final Challenge by taking a photo of the final garment on the actor
Materials Required:
- Flexible measuring tape for measuring your actor
- Materials to make patterns and construct your costume. Some possibilities include: Cellophane, Tape, Craft foam/Foam core, Cardboard, Paint, Glue
This Level Up Challenge is based on a Cosplay Costume Unit designed and developed by Texas theatre educator B.K. Goodman. See the Click to Teach lesson on Cosplay Costume Creation for more.
POWER UP: Identify Functional Design Requirements
Look at your final design from Cosplay Costume Creation - Level 1 and identify the requirements you will need for a functional costume design. For example, will certain pieces need a zipper or other closure so that the actor can put it on and take it off?
TO POWER UP: Make note of these functionality requirements on your rendering.
GAIN EXPERIENCE: Take and Record Measurements
When constructing a costume, it is important to make sure the costume you create will fit the actor that will be wearing it.
For this challenge, find a friend or family member who is willing to be the model for your cosplay costume. In this step, you will be measuring this person and writing down their measurements so that you can create a costume that is made to fit them. If you want to create your Cosplay costume for yourself, ask someone to help you take your own measurements.
Using online resources and/or the help of a mentor, research and learn how to take body measurements. This measuring sheet will help you to record all the measurements you may need.
TO EARN XP: Use the measurement sheet as a guide to take and record accurate body measurements for the person who will be wearing your cosplay creation.
POWER UP: Discover Cosplay Costume Construction Techniques
Now that you've powered up by identifying the requirements for a functional costume design and gained the needed experience by recording accurate body measurements, you are ready to learn how to construct Cosplay costume pieces. Using online resources and/or the help of a mentor, research techniques for creating cosplay costume pieces.
You might start by watching this cosplay tutorial created by Sveltlana from Kamui Cosplay to see how the techniques for making an arm piece for a cosplay costume.
These techniques using cellophane and tape will work with any kind of shaped wear or armor. Once the taping is done and the piece is cut off, you can either paint the tape and use the piece for the costume as is, or it can be used as a pattern to create a final product from craft foam sheets. CAUTION: Craft foam layers require the use of hand tools, so safety and knowledge of hand tools is important. Be sure to follow all safety precautions when using carving tools, heat guns and adhesives.
TO POWER UP: Research different techniques for creating cosplay costume pieces. Create a plan for constructing your own cosplay costume creation.
GAIN EXPERIENCE: Craft Your Cosplay Costume Pieces
It's almost time to tackle the final challenge! Now that you've watched cosplay tutorials and learned some techniques for creating Cosplay costume pieces, it's time to get started crafting and constructing your costume!
TO EARN XP: Craft your costume pieces using cellophane, tape, foam, cardboard, paint, or any other materials you have available. Check constructed garment for fit on the person you measured, and adjust as necessary. CAUTION: Be sure to follow all safety precautions when using carving tools, heat guns and adhesives. If you are using hand tools such as X-Acto knives, hot glue guns, heat guns, etc be sure to have a mentor assist you.
FINAL CHALLENGE: Photograph Your Final Costume
During this journey, you powered up by identifying the requirements for a functional costume design and researching techniques for creating cosplay costume pieces. You also gained experience by taking and recording accurate body measurements and crafting your Cosplay costume pieces. Now, using the power ups and experience points you gained along the way, you are ready take on the final challenge: photographing your final garment on the model.
Have fun creating a physical or digital backdrop. If you want to experiment with a digital backdrop, take a photo against a neutral background (see image for an example), then add special effects using a green screen app.
TO COMPLETE THE FINAL CHALLENGE: Take a photo of the final garment on the person it was designed for. Create a physical or digital backdrop that fits with the costume and the character.