Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Geist. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Samantha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I always wanted to be an artist. I was a creative kid and was always drawing and coloring, and loved art class in school. Somewhere along the way I got it in my head that you couldn’t really “be an artist.” Meaning you “can’t earn money as an artist,” which feels like a shame to have somehow received that message. With that in mind, I wound up going to college to study Graphic Design, as I felt it was the closest I could get and might actually lead to a more creative lifestyle—which it did!
My classes in college were honestly fifty percent traditional art courses, which I adored. Oil painting and screen printing were my favorites. It didn’t hurt to finally pick up the digital art skills of design, which would later pay off immensely in starting my own business.
A few years out of college, in 2014, I was working at my first Graphic Design job in Orlando. A coworker encouraged me to try cosplay as a creative outlet, and so I began researching on my own and learned how to use cosplay materials like Worbla, expanding foam, and Paperclay. I was really big in to playing the video game Skyrim at the time, and was determined to make a specific armor set (the “Ancient Nord Armor”), because it had this really cool helmet with elk antlers sticking out of the sides. I admit I am a sucker for antlers and bones.
Cosplay materials and tutorials were not as readily available in 2014. Looking back, it was really interesting to start at that moment in time—right on the cusp of when cosplay blew up and became a nationally recognized form of art. Everything I learned as a maker was through free online tutorials and just plain old trial and error. But I was so motivated. I was going to be this Nord Warrior one way or another.
I wound up winning “Best Novice” at the 2014 DragonCon Friday Night Costume Contest with my Ancient Nord Armor. To not only compete and win with a hobby I just started, but that I absolutely loved wearing, there was absolutely no feeling in the world like it. There is a next-level amount of pride that comes from saying “I made this” as you’re standing in front of someone in full warrior garb. From there, I kept making cosplays, kept competing, and kept winning—all as a hobby while I worked full time.
I think the biggest obstacles at the time were a combination of money and time. I wanted to branch into things like leather working—which is expensive to invest in, and honestly just didn’t have enough time between an hour and a half commute to work every day, a forty hour work week, and just normal adult life. I filled up as much time as possible with learning more skills, and by slowly building up an arsenal tools and materials with space income. Over time my workshop has expanded, along with my knowledge of different techniques and materials. I don’t think there is any way to really speed up that level of experience.
Samantha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My “maker” career really started with the “Best Novice” win at DragonCon 2014. I think the easiest way to really sum the motivation I constantly feel is my being an ENFJ, leo, & a Slytherin. I thrive on achieving and being the absolute best I can possibly be. It doesn’t hurt to have some fun showing off my work, either.
Being a Graphic Designer by trade and an artist at heart has made me a literal creative problem solver. Cosplaying was the perfect fit to fill both halves of this creative need for me, and has truly motivated my entire career as a prop maker and artist.
I started Dovah Design LLC in April of 2019, still working part time with a great design agency in Orlando who always encouraged my creativity outside of the office. It was a slow start, setting up a web presence and portfolio, trying to be active on social media, collecting inquiries for commission work, selling on an Etsy shop—on top of still learning new materials and techniques like mold making and casting, and making competition cosplays. It took a few years, but I was finally took a chance and went solo in September of 2021.
Now I work full time for myself under Dovah Design. I make custom props under commission, as well as replica and unique collectibles and costume pieces. I sell at conventions across Florida, such as MegaCon here in Orlando, as well as Renaissance Faires and the like. I do still make and compete with cosplay, but have had to tone tit back in order to ensure I’m earning income for myself as well. My most recent win was Best in Show at SuperCon 2022, so I’ll actually be taking my latest cosplay to the National Competition at C2E2 in Spring of 2023.
I think there are a handful of things that set me apart from others. For one, I currently do not incorporate any 3D printing in to my work. Everything I put out into the world is completely handmade by me, whether that is an original clay-sculpted mask design, or fully hand-tooled leather. To be honest, I have not been able to invest the time in learning 3D software or the money into a worthwhile printer. But I also recognize I am reluctant to remove my favorite part of the process from my work—making art with my hands.
Having had experience in design agencies, I also find my client communication is something I take a lot of pride in. I know the value of presenting all information to my clients upfront and in a timely manner, as well as communicating progress with them along the way. Feeling at ease about their commission makes a huge difference to a client investing a large chunk of money with a complete stranger.
My biggest inspirations started from video games—my OG hobby! I specifically enjoy fantasy-centric action RPGs like Skyrim, Assassin’s Creed, and Diablo. Falling in love with a fantasy world is something I imagine almost everyone can relate to. Being able to bring a small sliver of that fantasy to life is on a whole different level of exciting. I strive to make that fantasy a reality with everything I make.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I know there are a lot of society-wide improvements that could be made to better support creatives. A small action we can take would be to educate more consumers about the difference between a small business creating handmade goods, versus one who is mass producing. It’s always interesting to see children walk into my booth at a show and exclaim, “WOW! That’s a lot of money!” I always appreciate a parent willing to explain the difference between what I make, and where their [insert brand name] toy comes from. Understanding the actual value behind a price, as well as what and who you are supporting with a purchase will hopefully begin to make a difference for consumers deciding who to buy from.
I also think there should be more education on time as a commodity. I’m lucky to have learned this lesson during my time working as a Graphic Designer, but many consumers can’t understand at first why a custom prop will cost so much when they can check online and find a mass-produced replica for a tenth of the price. I do my best to educate anyone who reaches out to me for a quote on the exact amount of hours, as well as my hourly rate, to really illustrate the concept of what a work week (or more) of my time is worth. I also think more creatives need to stand up for themselves in this regard—stop under estimating and be honest with your clients about the amount of time you’re really working.
How did you build your audience on social media?
To be honest, social media baffles me—as I think it does a lot of us! I have gone from about 400 followers in 2019 up to just over 3K now. No one can make any sense of the algorithm, but I do my best to use a wide variety of relevant (especially timely) hashtags, and just post things that are fun to look at. It’s always my posts of finished cosplays that do the best, there is no way around the fact that users want to see finished and incredible work. But I’ve been surprised to see a lot of my process videos do well recently also. My best post of 2022 thusfar has been one about how long it actually takes me to create a single dragon mask. The audio is what really makes the post, to be honest. https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgLjg8Lg7v/
I think another thing is to really just be yourself. I’ve found it’s invaluable to gaining truly relevant followers. And engage back! Check out your new followers’ page and see what they do. I’ve honestly made dozens of “social media” friends this way who’s work is mind blowing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dovahdesign.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dovahdesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovahdesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-geist-4b199539/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dovahdesign
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw8nwLLgdlyf3G28x8PRAhQ
- Other: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dovahdesign https://www.tiktok.com/@dovahdesign twitch.tv/dovahdesign
Image Credits
Waterfall, Blue Smoke, Ancient Nord Helmet photos — Dim Horizon Studio — https://www.instagram.com/dimhorizonstudio/ Closeup Eivor (viking/teal) helmet — Nate Takes — https://www.instagram.com/nate_takes/ Closeup Greatsword Photo — imagemariastudio (Manda Kar) — https://www.instagram.com/imagemariastudio/ Gimli Helmet, Doom sword, Dragon Mask — Product photos taken by myself