Meet Sunday Slays Cosplay | Designer and Cosplayer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sunday Slays Cosplay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sunday Slays Cosplay, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As a young designer, I was constantly freelancing and always looking for more work. I would be the first to raise my hand to stay overtime on a project–in order to both prove my worth as a designer and create some cushion in my bank account. This has changed as my income has become more stable and my hobbies have grown. Design used to be my hobby, but now I don’t want to spend my free time “working” but rather creating and celebrating other things I love.

We need a good balance between work, education, family, friends, and hobbies. I feel that hobbies should be an everyday cathartic practice, and that’s what cosplay is to me. I try to work every day on something I enjoy. I try to learn a new technique or better techniques I already know. Sometimes this balance gets out of whack. My priorities on why I make a costume changes, I lose perspective, and I begin to view it as “work”. It’s times like these that I need to take a step back and focus on friends, family, and other creative outlets for a while. After I’ve gained a more healthy view again, I then go back to it with a new mindset.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a motion graphic designer by trade, but I spend the majority of my free time creating costumes for cosplay. Since 2017, I have made many large armor builds and various large and intricate props including 14foot mechanical wings. I cosplay a wide range of characters and have made multiple screen-accurate builds. My most recent builds are costumes from the universe of Warhammer 40k, which have plethora of amazingly detailed designs to start from with which I feel like I can spin towards my personal tastes. This allows the freedom to create something recognizable to that faction of character, but unique. I document the build processes of my largest costumes and post “how I made” tutorials on youtube.

All of the techniques involved in crafting these costumes have been learned by watching hours of youtube cosplay tutorials, listening to tips from fellow cosplay friends, and good-old trial and error. Much like in graphic design, the act of doing strengthens skills and nothing replaces the practice involved in just making things over and over again.

Drafting patterns was the hardest skill to master, and I began by buying patterns off of etsy, but with constant practice I no longer need pre-drafted patterns and make all of my original patterns which are fitted to myself.

The lesson that I share most frequently when asked about my work is that a person can learn SO MUCH from the internet. Youtube is such an incredible wealth of information for any craft or skill. That yes, talent comes into play with design but that talent shows after mastering the technical skills necessary to become an artisan in the first place.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When friends come to visit for the first time, I usually drive them through Hollywood to see the typical tourist sights. If they really want to get out and view the stars… sure, I’ll let them do that for a while. But I’d rather take them downtown to the arts district. If they’re scifi fans, I might also take them around to see the Bradbury building, and if they’re anime fans I might take them to little Tokyo. If the weather is nice (when isn’t it?) I’ll drive them down to Venice beach and sit at a cafe for some good conversation and people watching.

The fantastic array of food we have in LA is easily the main event. General favorites are Korean BBQ or korean buns in k-town, hot pot at Shabuya, or some middle eastern at Carousel. The hands-down absolute must on the list is Yai’s Thai food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my mom, for always being there, for being my best friend, for listening to my complaints and all of my crazy ideas for hours and hours on the phone.

My boyfriend, for believing my potential, and his unwavering support in all the things I do. For introducing me to conventions, and in turn introducing me to some fandoms that have become integral to my most profound passions.

Shoutout to my dad, the good-with-numbers guy, the one who “can’t even draw a stick figure”, the guy who could never understand why his daughter couldn’t do math in her head. The guy who, as a non-artist, fully supported his kid with a passion for the arts.

My siblings, for instilling the love of costuming in my heart and reminding me that nothing is ever that serious.

And my nerd friends, for always cheering me up when I get overwhelmed and lost in creative endeavors, and for loving conventions and celebrations of our interests as much as I do.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunday_slays_cosplay/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundayslays

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sundayslayscosplay

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SundaySlaysCosplay

Image Credits
@martinwongcosplay @geekson_podcast @vivehbokeh.photo @thegeekstrong