Cosplay is all about creativity and we’ve loved meeting cosplayers from all over the globe during our convention journeys!
Being creative means something different for all people so we’ve reached out to four cosplayers and asked them what creativity really means to them.
We’ve spoken to lots of lovely cosplayers across our years and have four more to showcase to you who all share their thoughts about creativity and their journeys into making their cosplays come to life.
Ashe
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a graphic designer by day and cosplayer by night? Haha, throughout the week I design marketing material for businesses and serve at a restaurant. On weekends, when I have time I like come up with cosplay ideas and either go to the thrift shop to look for pieces for a cosplay or make it myself. My favorite characters to cosplay as are Neytiri from Avatar, Cammy from Street Fighter, and Lara Croft.
What does creativity mean to you?
Creativity is expressing oneself through any medium that one chooses. It could be through art, music, cosplay, etc. Creativity is a way to let one’s mind roam freely with no limitations. The weirder the idea, usually the better when it pertains to creativity.
Describe your creative process?
Honestly, I don’t have much of a process. I cosplay characters off of impulse. If I watch an anime and see a character’s design and personality that I like I immediately say, “I’m going to cosplay them! ” *runs to fabric store* or *runs to computer to get on Amazon*.
As for making an outfit, I used to make my outfits but that was getting too expensive for me. Instead I started looking for pieces in thrift stores to make it cheaper for myself. If it’s something I know I can’t find or a build I truly want to dedicate time and money to then I’ll make it. Hopefully one day I can get in the position where I can make all of my cosplays and it won’t cost as much.
When are you at your most creative?
Hmm, I’m my most creative at night oddly enough. Most people are tired and are getting prepared for the next day at night. I’m a bit of an owl, so I tend to stay up pretty late, doing design work or watching tv or Youtube. Of course, while watching tv/Youtube is when I get ideas.
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
Interesting question. I never thought that of anyone being the most creative person per say. I think everyone has a creative spirit in them. Off the top of my head I could name Alyson Tabbitha and Promise Tamang as my got to inspirations. I get inspired by any cosplayer that puts their own twist on a character really.
Instagram: @mynamesashe_
Lex
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Alexis, but most know me as Lexxi or Kuppo! im a queer black artist and cosplayer in washington State. I’ve been drawing since I was 3 and its always been a hobby of mine. I create anything from realistic animal art to anime fanart and original creations. I have only been cosplaying for about 3-4 years now. I do make and buy some of my cosplays and build props for them. I don’t have a particular favorite to cosplay but I’m always trying to create a new cosplay every year.
What does creativity mean to you?
What creativity means to me is basically anything you can come up with with your imagination. Taking one thing and making it into something bigger, making into “yours”. Bringing your mind and thoughts to life essentially.
Describe your creative process?
My creative process is very messy at times with cosplay. It really depends on how much detail goes into it. I usually get together with my friends and write and jot down all the materials i’ll need into a notebook and write down ideas on how i’m going to do each individual piece. Making the actual pieces can get messy because you have to try and make sure you have all the required material to get it done. I usually get my inspiration from other cosplayers of course and fanart. I watch a lot of cosplay videos on youtube and see how and what people do for their cosplays.
When are you at your most creative?
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
My best friend, Kei is the most creative person to me. They are always coming up with amazing ideas on the spot and they can create a cosplay within a week and they do amazing makeup. They have inspired me for years, I always look up to them especially when I need help.
Twitter: @Kuppotea
Instagram: @Lexcosplay
Kawaiiju
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Bethan, a 25 year old cosplayer from the Uk. I mainly focus from anime, gaming and western cartoons.
My favourite cosplays are one’s where I can add some creative flare, like Taako from the adventure zone or cosplays where I get to experiment with interesting make up, like characters from Jojo’s bizarre adventure.
What does creativity mean to you?
Creativity to me is an expression of someone’s passions, getting to bring their imagination to life and create something from nothing! Forming the idea’s from your head into a physical, tangible thing for others to see and experience be it a costume, art or music!
Describe your creative process?
I like to try and be organised when creating an outfit. I tend to write a list of supplies I’ll need and spend a while looking up tutorials or reference materials on how I want to go about creating the outfit.
Next I’ll look at supplies for fabric and material choices, and once I have all the supplies I’ll need I like to do fabric drafts for costumes or small tests using new materials I’ve not used before to get a hang of it before I start on the costume.
For original idea’s, I like to draw out my concepts. I tend to take inspiration from games I enjoy, or fashion trends. Or sometimes I’ll base the idea of a costume around something I want to create, like if I’m feeling a lot of armour work, I’ll make the costume be full Armor, or, if I want to make a big prop? I’ll design the costume with that in mind.
When are you at your most creative?
Usually at the weekends in the afternoon. I find it hard to focus during the week due to my day job, but at the weekend it’s time for me to focus on hobbies and cosplay.
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
So many people! I am inspired the most by artists on Instagram I think, people who spend a lot of time making up their own characters or fashion designs. There are so many people it’s hard to name them all!
Facebook: Kawaiiju Cosplay
Instagram: Kawaiiju_Cosplay
YouTube: Kawaiiju Cosplay
Amino: KawaiijuCosplay
Photographers: Cosplay By Pedro and Dr Whero Photography
Labinnak
Who are you and what do you do?
I am a master level cosplayer who has been part of the cosplay community for over 6 years now. In the community I’ve become known for my RWBY Ruby Rose cosplay which I have over 14 verisons. Additionally, many people know me for my high level of attention to detail and gijinka monster swimsuit builds. My overall goal as a cosplayer is to not only have fun bringing my favorite characters to life but to also inspire others creatively.
What does creativity mean to you?
Creativity is using your skills to bring something to life. Whether it be building a prop or costume, drawing art, writing a story, etc.
It’s putting a bit of who you are into something new – that wouldn’t exist or ever be the same without you.
For me – I express myself creatively through cosplay.
Describe your creative process?
I become inspired to cosplay a character when that character truly “speaks to who I am”. These characters I tend to feel I can empathize with due to similar personality traits (Ruby from RWBY is a good example in terms of her very cheery personality being similar to my own) or in other cases have very different traits to myself that I just find would be fun to roleplay.
I am also drawn to the design of the character and tend to be more prone to want to create more challenging builds. I love a good challenge! When I find a character to cosplay instead of jumping right into creating the cosplay I do the most important step of the entire process: research. Grabbing reference photos of every part of the character or props w/the character, watching online tutorials to help me build the cosplay, figuring out what I can make vs buy are a few major parts of this research process.
I spend a lot of time throughout my creation process researching because it helps me to understand the breakdown of the cosplay. Once I feel like I have enough research I go into building the cosplay which is a unique process with every cosplay. Where some cosplays require a lot of sewing work others may require more foam smithing. Every build is different.
When are you at your most creative?
Either super late at night or super early in the morning. Just give me some photos of the character I am working on, some EDM to listen to and some coffee and you would be surprised
how focused I get on what I am working on.
Who is the most creative person to you and why?
Super hard to say because everyone is creative in their own way. Now I do have a lot of people I look up to because I love what they creative.. although I can’t necessarily say one person is more creative than another.
Something I personally love about the cosplay community is there is no defined “right or wrong way” to cosplay. You can create a cosplay any way you like – whether it be handmaking every little detail to bringing the pieces together of a bought cosplay. Every cosplay is unique because every person puts their own unique self into the creation of that cosplay.
Instagram: @Labinnak
Facebook: LM Cosplays
Twitter: LM Cosplays
