This presentation discusses cosplay, including its definition as dressing up as a character, its origins in Japan in the 1990s, and how it spans various genres of media. It provides an overview of basic supplies and tools needed for cosplay like craft foam, paint, thermoplastic materials, sewing machines, and hot glue guns. It also discusses planning a cosplay project, convention etiquette regarding weapons and attire, tips for photoshoots, and encouragement for new cosplayers.

1. presented by Jessica Overby of JWo Designs
presented by Jessica Overby of JWo Designs
SoYouWanttoCosplay…
SoYouWanttoCosplay…

2.  DefinitionDefinition
- Term 'cosplay' is short for "costume- Term 'cosplay' is short for "costume
play" where you dress up in costumeplay" where you dress up in costume
as a specific characteras a specific character
 OriginOrigin
-Popularity originated in Japan in the-Popularity originated in Japan in the
early 1990s and has become moreearly 1990s and has become more
mainstream in the past decade in themainstream in the past decade in the
U.S.U.S.
 Different genresDifferent genres
-Spans from TV shows, videogames,-Spans from TV shows, videogames,
movies, books, even originalmovies, books, even original
characterscharacters

3. BasicSupplies&Tools
BasicSupplies&Tools
MaterialsMaterials
oCraft foam/EVA (Ethylene vinylCraft foam/EVA (Ethylene vinyl
acetate) foamacetate) foam
oPaint (acrylic/spray paint)Paint (acrylic/spray paint)
oThermoplastics (Worbla,Thermoplastics (Worbla,
Wonderflex, Fosshape,Terraflex,Wonderflex, Fosshape,Terraflex,
Friendly Plastic, Instamorph, Sintra,Friendly Plastic, Instamorph, Sintra,
Styrene, ABS plastic, PETG, etc.)Styrene, ABS plastic, PETG, etc.)

4. BasicSupplies&Tools
BasicSupplies&Tools
ToolsTools
oSewing MachineSewing Machine
oHot Glue GunHot Glue Gun
oScissorsScissors
oRetractable craft/razor bladeRetractable craft/razor blade
oDremel/rotary toolDremel/rotary tool
oPower DrillPower Drill

5. ToolsandSuppliesSources
ToolsandSuppliesSources
 Craft stores (HobbyCraft stores (Hobby
Lobby, Joann, Michael's,Lobby, Joann, Michael's,
etc.)etc.)
-Don't forget coupons!-Don't forget coupons!
-Great place for paint-Great place for paint
and craft foam sheetsand craft foam sheets
 Hardware stores (HomeHardware stores (Home
Depot, Lowe's, AceDepot, Lowe's, Ace
Hardware, etc.)Hardware, etc.)
- Great for tools- Great for tools
- Also good for EVA- Also good for EVA
foamfoam

6. ToolsandSuppliesSources
ToolsandSuppliesSources
 Worbla sourceWorbla source
(cosplaysupplies.com)(cosplaysupplies.com)
-Free shipping in the-Free shipping in the
U.S!U.S!
 EVA foam online in bulkEVA foam online in bulk
rollsrolls
(www.foambymail.com)(www.foambymail.com)

7. TutorialResources
TutorialResources
Downloadable ebooks &Downloadable ebooks &
tutorialstutorials
-Kamui cosplay-Kamui cosplay
(www.kamuicosplay.com)(www.kamuicosplay.com)
-Punished Props-Punished Props
(http://punishedprops.com(http://punishedprops.com
/)/)

8. TutorialResources
TutorialResources
 PinterestPinterest
 YouTubeYouTube
- Evil Ted (armor &- Evil Ted (armor &
pattern makingpattern making
tutorials)tutorials)
 Cosplaytutorial.comCosplaytutorial.com
- Huge directory of- Huge directory of
tutorialstutorials
 Cosplay Amino appCosplay Amino app

9. PlanningandPrepping
PlanningandPrepping
When to start planningWhen to start planning
-Depends on skill-Depends on skill
levellevel and complexity ofand complexity of
cosplaycosplay
-At least 3 months-At least 3 months
before a conventionbefore a convention
- If ordering supplies- If ordering supplies
from outside of thefrom outside of the
U.S., account for thatU.S., account for that
extra shipping timeextra shipping time

10. PlanningandPrepping
PlanningandPrepping
How to planHow to plan
-Keep a checklist on-Keep a checklist on
what is needed & whatwhat is needed & what
to do for each cosplayto do for each cosplay
-Art journal to sketch-Art journal to sketch
original ideas ororiginal ideas or
patternspatterns
-Give enough time-Give enough time
before con and room forbefore con and room for
mistakesmistakes
-DON'T BE ME-DON'T BE ME

11. PlanningandPrepping
PlanningandPrepping
Cosplanner AppCosplanner App

12. ConventionEtiquette
ConventionEtiquette
 Overview on prop weaponsOverview on prop weapons
-No sharp metal weapons-No sharp metal weapons
-ALWAYS an orange safety tip-ALWAYS an orange safety tip onon
prop gunsprop guns
-No props that actually shoot-No props that actually shoot (no(no
BB's, airsoft guns, bow &BB's, airsoft guns, bow & arrows,arrows,
etc.)etc.)
-Always review each-Always review each convention'sconvention's
weapon rulesweapon rules
 How much should one beHow much should one be
covered?covered?
-Always cover private areas-Always cover private areas
-Always review convention-Always review convention cosplaycosplay
rulesrules
-Some more strict than others-Some more strict than others

13. Photoshoots
Photoshoots
 Professional or memorableProfessional or memorable
photos of your cosplay tophotos of your cosplay to
show off your hard workshow off your hard work
 Many conventions have aMany conventions have a
free photoshoot area sofree photoshoot area so
you can have photos takenyou can have photos taken
 Private photoshoots (in orPrivate photoshoots (in or
out of conventions)out of conventions)
-Book with a-Book with a
photographer at least aphotographer at least a
week prior to aweek prior to a
conventionconvention
-Bring a friend along to-Bring a friend along to
help (and help you feelhelp (and help you feel
more comfortable)more comfortable)

14. OtherInfo
OtherInfo
 Encouragement for newEncouragement for new
cosplayerscosplayers
 Not limited to doingNot limited to doing
certain cosplayscertain cosplays
 Age, race, gender, bodyAge, race, gender, body
shape, etc. are NOTshape, etc. are NOT
limiting factorslimiting factors
 Does not have to be 100%Does not have to be 100%
accurateaccurate
 Ultimately about havingUltimately about having
FUN!FUN!

15. Questions, comments, orQuestions, comments, or
suggestions from you!suggestions from you!

16. Thanks for attending!Thanks for attending!
If you would like to check outIf you would like to check out
my cosplays, please visit:my cosplays, please visit:
FacebookFacebook::
facebook.com/jwodesignsfacebook.com/jwodesigns
InstagramInstagram::
instagram.com/jwodesignsinstagram.com/jwodesigns
TwitterTwitter::
twitter.com/jwodesignstwitter.com/jwodesigns
YoutubeYoutube::
youtube.com/c/JWoDesignsyoutube.com/c/JWoDesigns

17. Check out tomorrow’sCheck out tomorrow’s
Armor Building 101Armor Building 101 panelpanel
in thein the
Computer Training CenterComputer Training Center
At 12:30pmAt 12:30pm