[Basics] How YOU can easily design a costume.

Have you ever thought, “I want to draw an original costume, but I don’t know where to start…”?

In this article, I’ll show you how to design a costume easily!

[Tips for designing costumes]

There are two main points.
1) Divide into parts
2) Combine various designs.

Let’s start with a step-by-step explanation.

[1] Divide into parts

A costume is a collection of various parts that come together to form a single form.
When thinking about the design, let us first break it down into smaller parts.

For example, if you are designing a dress, you can divide it into the following categories.

・Silhouette
・Tops
・Neck
・Sleeves
・Skirt
・Shoes

The more parts you have, the more informative the costume will be; the fewer parts, the simpler the costume will be.
Divide the parts according to the outfit you want to design and your own design.

[2] Combine from various designs

Once the parts are separated, decide on the shape of each one in turn.
The most important thing to do is to gather materials.
If you have at least three patterns for each part, you can decide on the design while changing the combinations as if you were changing clothes.

Let’s try to design the actual costume based on the parts we have just divided.

・Silhouette.
First, decide on the silhouette of the costume.
Choose a silhouette that is close to the image you want to express, such as a light shape for an energetic character or a stable shape for a quiet character.

・Tops.
Next, choose the shape of the top.
Various impressions can be expressed depending on the shape and degree of exposure.

・The neck.
There may not be a neck part, depending on the shape of the top.
The design you choose will make a big difference of the clothing’s impression, so try a few and choose the one that you feel is best.
It is also possible to add arrangements such as doubling up, changing the size, or adding ruffles.

・Sleeves.
Sleeve designs can range from simple to artistic ones.
You can also change the length and size to create an impact.

・Skirt.
This is the part of the dress that occupies the largest area.
There are a variety of designs to choose from, so have fun with your choice.
Arrange the length and shape according to the silhouette you have chosen at first, so that the appeal when completed will not be lost.

・Shoes.
They say that fashion starts from the feet up, right?
These are the parts that tend to be hidden, but you can choose a design that will make your outfit stand out even more.

Here is the outfit I designed using this method.
The dress was designed with cuteness in mind.

[Summary]

1) Divide into parts
2) Combine from several designs.

This method can be used for costumes other than dresses and for male characters as well.

If you have any doubts about your costume design, please refer to this article.

(Text and pictures by Kana Umezawa)
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