I have a few cosplay-related panels I would like to do this year, and I'm gauging interest in them. This thread is what I call "An Engineer's Guide to Cosplay."
Conceptually, this is probably the most general (and definitely the most conceptual) of my 3 panel ideas, and is ultimately talking more about cosplay planning and approaching your costume as an engineer would, with the goal of creating sturdier and lighter pieces. This will apply mostly in props, but some in the fabric construction as well. I'm a structural engineer by profession, and you'd be surprised how much overlap there is. As I get more experience in my field, I get better at constructing my costumes.
I see this as being fairly workshop-based. I'd like to be able to pass out kits so people can see the concepts I'm talking about, particularly. I also plan on paralleling things in costumes and construction. *I will be minimizing math (other than some basic geometry equations)*
Initially, I would like to get into basic statics in order to illustrate that you need more than one support point to stabilize something. This will also be the introduction to connection types, which will probably be the focus of the panel.
Second will be basic material properties, and where those come into costumes. (i.e. wood, PVC, plastic sheathing, foam, fabric, etc)
I would also like to go into drawings. Understanding about plans, elevations, and sections, and sketching part pieces helps a lot with seeing how things go together. This is where math may actually come into play.
The big brunt of the discussion will be connections. What exactly do I mean by connections? What can you do to make sure your joints are sturdy enough? When do you want a flexible connection? When do you want a rigid connection, and how do you achieve one. How should you plan your glued connections?
Other potential topics
Does this sound interesting? What sounds most interesting? Thanks for the feedback!
Conceptually, this is probably the most general (and definitely the most conceptual) of my 3 panel ideas, and is ultimately talking more about cosplay planning and approaching your costume as an engineer would, with the goal of creating sturdier and lighter pieces. This will apply mostly in props, but some in the fabric construction as well. I'm a structural engineer by profession, and you'd be surprised how much overlap there is. As I get more experience in my field, I get better at constructing my costumes.
I see this as being fairly workshop-based. I'd like to be able to pass out kits so people can see the concepts I'm talking about, particularly. I also plan on paralleling things in costumes and construction. *I will be minimizing math (other than some basic geometry equations)*
Initially, I would like to get into basic statics in order to illustrate that you need more than one support point to stabilize something. This will also be the introduction to connection types, which will probably be the focus of the panel.
Second will be basic material properties, and where those come into costumes. (i.e. wood, PVC, plastic sheathing, foam, fabric, etc)
I would also like to go into drawings. Understanding about plans, elevations, and sections, and sketching part pieces helps a lot with seeing how things go together. This is where math may actually come into play.
The big brunt of the discussion will be connections. What exactly do I mean by connections? What can you do to make sure your joints are sturdy enough? When do you want a flexible connection? When do you want a rigid connection, and how do you achieve one. How should you plan your glued connections?
Other potential topics
- Weight distribution (aka easy-to-handle swords)
- Nuts and bolts, aka being able to take things apart
- Fabric structures and how that works with costuming
Does this sound interesting? What sounds most interesting? Thanks for the feedback!