Each week in Spotlight we promote a student group you can think of joining to if it matches your interest. We hope you find this section informative and encourages you to joining a society. We have more than hundreds of student groups you can join with a nominal membership fee, and some are completely free to join. You can see all of them here in the Clubs and Societies.
Spotlight of the week – Cosplay and Craft Society
Each week in Spotlight we promote a student group you can think of joining to if it matches your interest. We hope you find this section informative and encourages you to joining a society. We have more than hundreds of student groups you can join with a nominal membership fee, and some are completely free to join. You can see all of them here in the Clubs and Societies.
This week we are introducing you another cool society that is Cosplay and Craft Society. For those who don’t know what Cosplay is – according to a Merriam Webster dictionary it’s “the activity or practice of dressing up as a character from a work of fiction (such as a comic book, video game, or television show)”.
As the name and definition suggests, it is for anyone who is interested in costumes, conventions and general crafting. The society is led by Jaz Hoyle as a manager, Evin Oxley as a communications officer and Emily Coakley as a finance officer. CCS is an inclusive and diverse group of cosplayers and cosplay enjoyers that is focused on not only providing a safe space for people to dress up, but also on helping those who are both experienced and new to cosplay with resources, advice and tutorials.
The group welcomes anyone from any background and skill level to give cosplay a try and have many plans for the future!
Cosplay and Craft Society Activities and Events
This year, CCS has hosted various sessions such as cardboard cosplay where they run small scale crafting competitions for people to create costumes quickly. They also organised DIY sessions where people can make headbands and other crafts. During most of these events, CCS provides space for individuals who prefer to work on their own cosplays instead of participating in the main craft of the event.
The CCS society is determined to make the most of this year by planning various activities. These include bead making, wig styling, costume design, creating fake jewellery, photoshoots, cosplay performances, and more, all scheduled for their weekly Wednesday socials. In addition, they are planning to organise events such as 3D printing sessions with external speakers and collaborations with other crafting and costume groups. If you have any suggestions for sessions you would like to see in the society, you are welcome to share them!
CCS also holds unofficial meetups for its members and students at conventions. Going forward, they plan to implement a buddy system for larger events to support those who may feel uncomfortable. The group has previously arranged trips to conventions such as MCM Birmingham.
They organise regular social cosplay meetups, where they dress up as their favourite characters and hang out over ice cream, picnics, or fun outings.
Additionally, they aim to run frequent photoshoots to showcase their cosplay and props progress and provide guidance on effective self-promotion online. This year, they have decided to host online events such as gaming and movie nights to ensure everyone's safety and well-being.
Benefits of joining the Cosplay and Craft Society
One major benefit of taking part in CCS society activities is the openness that it offers to its members. This welcoming space provides a fun social environment to anyone interested in cosplay, which can help people develop their self-confidence, especially for those who are new to the community and unfamiliar with how cosplay events run.
Joining CCS comes with many benefits that can help you acquire various crafting skills. The society offers a variety of sessions aimed at teaching members how to create costumes, props, and other useful items. By participating in these sessions, you not only learn new skills but also enhance your creativity and resourcefulness.
One of the major benefits of being a part of CCS is that members are encouraged to help each other with their projects. This means that you can benefit from a network of fellow students who are willing to share their crafting knowledge and provide valuable insights and support.
Whether you need guidance on sewing, styling wigs, or using foam to create props or armour, someone is always available to help. By joining CCS, you can gain access to a community of friendly and helpful individuals who are passionate about crafting and eager to help you develop your skills.
How to join the Cosplay and Craft Society?
Joining the Cosplay and Crafts Society is simple and can be done online for just £3 a year. Follow these easy steps:
For more information, you can reach out to them on their Instagram at - @cosplaycraftstaffsuni and join their discord server at - https://discord.gg/MSPEtat
You can also email them at - cosplay@groups.staffs.ac.uk