Jimmy NeoPixels and Halloween kickoff

Arduino circuit(s)

Halloween Costume Ideas


Illuminated Crow Mask

This project is a wearable mask inspired by the traditional plague doctor’s mask, reimagined with crow-like aesthetics. The mask features two hollow eye cutouts, each surrounded by a circular NeoPixel ring for illumination. It is worn with a large black cape and secured to the head using an elastic band. A rechargeable battery, not included in the shopping list, is attached at the back of the head to power the lighting elements.

  • Black or matte EVA foam sheets
  • PLA
  • 2 x Circular NeoPixel rings
  • Elastic headband
  • Hook-and-loop tape or plastic clips (optional for extra securing)
  • Wires
  • Heat shrink tubing
  • White spray paint or acrylic paint
  • Large black cape


Transformable Light Blade

This project is a hand-held, transformable weapon that begins as a compact circular form and expands into a linear blade shape. The structure consists of interlinked segments, each embedded with a segment of NeoPixel strip. Wires are routed through the connecting joints to a central handle, which houses the on/off control and connects to a rechargeable battery located within or near the grip.

  • EVA foam
  • PLA
  • Hinges
  • NeoPixel strip
  • Wires
  • Small button or switch
  • Heat shrink tubing
  • Super glue or epoxy for joints


Reactive Light Claw

This project is a wearable glove-based accessory that features five claw-like extensions, each equipped with NeoPixel lighting. The claws extend outward in response to finger bending, creating a dynamic mechanical and visual effect. Each claw changes color upon activation, powered by a concealed rechargeable battery not included in the shopping list.

  • PLA
  • Elastic fabric glove base
  • NeoPixel strips
  • Wire
  • Heat shrink tubing
  • Hot glue or epoxy

Yiran’s NeoPixel Circuit & Halloween costume ideas

NeoPixel Circuit

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ILPN9ijpcL45Bm1Ue2ik7bHxKkOuIEjx/view?usp=sharing

Halloween costume ideas

  1. Karen, the sentient computer wife of Plankton in SpongeBob SquarePants
A cartoon character representing a computer with a heartbeat monitor display, sitting at a table and resting its chin on its hand.
An illustration of a character with a computer monitor for a head, seated with legs crossed, holding a smaller character in a pink sweater against a blue underwater background.
A digital representation of a robot with multiple screens displaying facial expressions, set against a backdrop of colorful auroras.
Computer character with a smiling face and robotic arms, standing on a wheeled platform, in a colorful animated scene.
A character resembling Karen, the computer wife of Plankton from SpongeBob SquarePants, depicted with a computer monitor head, a pink dress, and holding a wand, set in an underwater environment.
A costume design featuring a humanoid figure with a monitor for a head, displaying a heartbeat pattern and various expressions. The figure has metallic arms and a green skirt, alongside design sketches showing expression options.

I plan to use foam or cardboard as the main material for the computer head frame, since it is lightweight, easy to cut and shape, making it convenient to build and wear.

For the display screen, I designed a two-layer structure:

Outer layer: made of black translucent acrylic, creating a realistic screen texture and reflective surface.

Inner layer: made of clear acrylic, used to mount and secure the light bulbs, ensuring stable and even illumination.

2. Wearable biblically accurate angel wings

Illustration of wearable angel wings with blinking eye-shaped lights, worn on the back. The wings have a fluffy design and continuously changing colors.

I plan to purchase ready-made feather wings and combine several of them into a single larger structure to form the main wearable piece.

In the next step, I will 3D print several eye-shaped covers to serve as lampshades and attach them to the wings.

After that, I will install the light bulbs and wiring, allowing each “eye” to blink and emit light.

Finally, the piece will be worn on the back, with each eye-shaped light continuously blinking and shifting in color.

3. Sandy Cheeks from SpongeBob

A digital illustration showing creative costume design ideas for Sandy Cheeks from SpongeBob SquarePants, including detailed sketches of a helmet with LED strips, a fluffy tail, and a light-up boot.

Tristan’s NeoPixel Circuit & Halloween costume ideas

NeoPixel Arduino Assignment

https://videopress.com/v/dzmd9s6e?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

I added a sparkle animation to the Arduino code. Here is an explaination below:

uint32_t c
This animation starts the function by telling the Arduino to output color across a range of RGBW. As this represents 4 different colors with their respective intensities, this information has to be stored within a large enough range. As color intensity varies from 0-255, the color parameter requires a 32-bit parameter in order to account for the 0-255 range for each color (RGBW). This is because 32-bits represents 256 different combinations of 1s and 0s, for all 4 colors RGBW

uint8_t wait
This animation then defines the ‘wait’ time as an 8-bit function — meaning it has the capacity to count to 256 milliseconds (2^8th power). Using an 8-bit variable here saves a few bits of storage and is particulary useful in this case as the pauses between the loop running are very short within the 0 -256 millisecond range.
*I found this part particularly interesting as I’ve learned about quartz watches in the past and I wanted to know how this relates.

strip.clear();
This clears the strip of any colors/brightness before the wipe begins

strip.setPixelColor(random(NUM_LEDS), c);
This defines the random value that will be assigned to any of the 4 LEDs in this chain. We know there are 4 LEDs because we’ve pre-defined it for our variable NUM_LEDS

strip.show();
The color isn’t pushed to an LED until this ‘show’ line is run.

delay(wait);
There is a delay before the loop is run again. This delay is defined by the 100 in the following line sparkle(strip.Color(255, 255, 255), 100);

Halloween Costume Ideas

Daft Punk (MTA Edition)

Daft Punk is back except its not all fun and dancing, its practical MTA train times so you never miss the F again! I could implement a LED strip across the 3D printed visor that would allow light animations to sweep over the screen to display text. With this I may want to change the helmet just slightly to make it more my own and less a replica.

Eve Glasses

In Pixar’s Wall-E (one of the top sci films of this century) Eve’s eyes squint up when she laughs. I thought this is a cool feature to implement into glasses that could be a main piece of a halloween costume. Perhaps the glasses have a gyroscope to squint when the head tilts up.

NYC Crosswalk Sign

Another idea is to have a shirt which functions like the NYC crosswalk. Perhaps a custom animation that is a bit different or unique from the NYC signs could give it an extra kick. Or maybe it walks when I walk and then the stop hand comes up when I stop moving.

Cris neopixel light and Halloween idea

Neopixels

Halloween Idea

1&2 👻

After reading many websites and materials about Halloween, I learned that it is a festival related to the dead, disguise, and driving away evil spirits. I started to think — can I mix Chinese traditional culture with it?

So, I thought of a famous pair of underworld gods from Chinese mythology — Heibai Wuchang (Black and White Impermanence). They are ghost catchers who help the King of Hell punish evil and reward good.

White Impermanence is said to be a hanged ghost, with a long tongue, a tall white hat on his head, and handcuffs in his hand.

Black Impermanence has a fierce face, a yellow talisman on his forehead, a tall black hat, and chains around his neck.

3 🎃

For many people in China, the first image of Halloween comes from pop culture and store décor: the “evil pumpkin face”—a jack-o’-lantern with triangular eyes and a jagged grin.

Lauren’s Halloween Ideas

I decided to find inspiration in the styling of some characters I’ve always really enjoyed + I know that I want to make something using acrylic sheets, the way the lights look within the transparent frame feels very enticing.


Ice Headpiece
This is the ice queen from the early 2000s movie sharkboy and lavagirl. I’ve always been drawn to the world they created around her, the headpiece is actively the cherry on top. I would love to experiment with this concept and make some sort of pierced acrylic headpiece.

Shopping List:
Acrylic sheets
Metal hoops/accessories
Headband as base
laser cutting appointment


Steven Universe Spinel
Spinel is a scorned character in Steven Universe, the way they designed her character to reflect the arc of her character has always been so satisfying to me.
a. I want to make the axe that Spinel carries. theres a red Spinel gem in the middle of a transparent/translucent “blade”. I’m curious of playing with this design and making a glowing heart scepter.
b. Spinel also has these heart shaped hair puffs. Im curious about making a headband in the shape of a heart, that could possible be covered with my hair or just worn as a headband.

Shopping List:
some sort of staff/decorated stick
fabric to wrap handle
acrylic sheets
laser cutting appointment


—————

NeoPixel LEDs 


Thanks to Josh for the Neopixel help 🙂

Mallika’s NeoPixel Circuit & Halloween costume ideas

NeoPixel Circuit

The soldering setup
Soldering the wires to the GND, Input and 5V
Connecting the circuit
The finished NeoPixel circuit

Halloween Costume Ideas

Mine-Crafted Life

As a teen, I was honestly addicted to Minecraft. The endless possibilities of the game and the fun pixels were all I could think about, bringing me to this halloween costume, “mine-crafted life”. It is a concept for light-up Minecraft-themed props: a Creeper head, a torch, and a severed head basket. Constructed from acrylic or foam board, they feature separate LED strips and mesh for breathability in the head. The main feature is the Creeper head’s mood-depicting light change, using colors like red (‘angry’) or yellow (‘happy’). The torch will have a controller to adjust brightness, and the parts will be painted to preserve the pixelated aesthetic.

The crazy LEGO scientist

Till date, my favorite activity is to make LEGO puzzles. I feel like it is as de-stressing for me as laying in a pool floating for hours. Which brings me to this idea of the “Crazy LEGO Scientist” costume. An illuminated twist to the classic LEGO Mini figure, central to the concept is an oversized, light-up LEGO head with crazed hair and features. This is further exaggerated by the glasses, which incorporate a spiral light loop to simulate a buzzing, electric energy, fitting the scientist’s unstable persona. To complete the laboratory look, the scientist carries a light-up chemical potion beaker, specifically noted to contain a “blood potion” that also illuminates, adding a touch of fun to this bright and eccentric costume.

The Tetris costume

I designed this Tetris costume because I’ve always found a deep sense of satisfaction in making things fit together perfectly, much like the game itself. The costume concept translates that love into a fun, interactive Halloween piece: a grid filled with colorful Tetris blocks that are given a spooky twist with glowing faces. The play here is of the blocks falling in a loop with different colored lights, and could even switch on when touched and be made interactive. This whole project appeals to my desire to create a cohesive, whimsical, and visually compelling halloween costume.

I’m currently not too sure of the parts I will be needing for the circuits, but I do have a general idea of the materials I want to make the forms for the costume in!

Thank you!

Batu’s NeoPixel Practice + Halloween Costume Proposal

1) NeoPixel Practice

I started this project by connecting the wires and preparing both the board and wires for soldering onto the NeoPixel board.

After stripping the wires and setting up my Arduino circuit, I began soldering by tinning the wire tips first and then adding a bit of solder to the NeoPixel board. Since it was my first time soldering directly onto a board, I found it more challenging compared to soldering wire-to-wire.

After finishing the soldering, I connected the board to my computer and tested it using the example sketches already included in the Arduino IDE, after installing the NeoPixel library.

2) Halloween Costume Proposal

i- Powerpuff Girls™

This idea is a collaboration with my friends Jisu and Yennie. When me and my sister was younger, I loved watching things that she really enjoyed and showed me. One of the 100+ cartoons we watched was Powerpuff Girls.

I told my friends that we could do this as a joke, and it became a reality after actually thinking about it. After talking to our classmates, they told us Jisu should be Buttercup, Yennie should be Bubbles, and I… well… Blossom…

I also started to think about other props in the cartoon, and this phone is iconic, so myself ive decided to be bubbles / this phone.

ii- Airport X-Ray Machine

Another idea I had after brainstorming for a while was an airport x-ray machine, well, not literally, but with a simple bag. For my bag outer shape design/dimension,s I got inspired by the Louis Vuitton KEEPALL 45.

I was thinking of having a semi-transparent layer of mesh, and a really bright internal light that would cast shadows of the objects inside the bag to outside, giving it a X-ray / see-through look.

AND / OR

I can print on the meshes, an X-ray visual, and that would light up when i turn on the led’s inside the bag.

iii- Pizza Planet™ Truck/Pizza Box

While brainstorming, I kept thinking about one of the movies that first inspired me to pursue art: Toy Story. When I was really young, I lost the second VCD disc and would rewatch only the first half of the film, always imagining how it might end.

That memory stuck with me, and my love for Toy Story—especially Pizza Planet—has never faded. I liked the idea of Pizza Planet because it’s a sci-fi pizza place, which makes LEDs feel like a natural fit for this project. I sketched out two concepts: the first is a Pizza Planet Truck Spaceship (the one on top of the car) that lights up, and the second is a glowing pizza inside a semi-transparent, Pizza Planet–branded box that also works as a light – so a prop for costume.

Wini’s Arduino circuit & Halloween costume ideas

Halloween costume ideas:

  1. MOMO Robot from Stray:

Momo is a Companion in The Slums in Stray. As a member of the Outsiders, Momo is a central character in the game.

Shopping List/Supplies
– Cardboard Box
– White paint
– Transparent acrylic
– LED Strips
– Red Tank Tops
– Black Shirt
– Green flower Jacket
– Arduino

2. BMO from Adventure Time:

    BMO (shortened from “Be MOre” phonetically spelled “BeeMO“), also referred to as Moe Mastro “Llabtoof” Giovanni Jr., and called the “King of Ooo” in the future, is one of the main characters of Adventure Time.

    Shopping List/Supplies
    – Cardboard Box
    – Green paint
    – Transparent acrylic
    – LED Strips
    – Green Shirt
    – Green pants
    – Arduino

    3. Teemo Mask from League of Legends:

      Teemo is a playable character in the video game League of Legends. Depicted as a tiny furry creature from the fictional Yordle race

      Shopping List/Supplies
      – Cardboard Box
      – Green paint
      – Transparent acrylic
      – LED Strips
      – Arduino

      Anusha’s Halloween Costume Idea *UPDATED*

      I am going to be the creepy animatronic bunny named Bonnie, from the Horror Video Game: 5 Nights At Freddy’s (where you need to survive 5 days in Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza which is haunted by murderous animatronics)

      In the movie, which was created after the game, the animatronics’ eyes light up. I am considering having the ears, bow, or his red electric guitar light up- instead.

      Here are my sketches:

      Alternative Ideas From 5 Nights At Freddy’s :

      Now, for my arduino exercise:

      https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OIp1-lVnzfFPm0OPB_j9WcRjxceFNVtG/view?usp=drive_link

      Thank you to Wini who helped me get started with this excercise, and Mallika, and Gabriel for help troubleshooting!

      Tuesday Oct 14 Updates:

      1. The costume will be a dark blue bodysuit I own + blue tights, a red velvet bow that I will buy, and the rigid, fragmented, bunny ears – which I will make from cardboard, wire, and felt. I will be adding lights to clear glasses, to depict the animatronic’s creepy glowing eyes – that turn from yellow to red to show that he is in his evil state. This will hopefully have a creepy effect.
      2. I will be using neojewels to represent glowing eyeballs. I may also add neopixel strips around the frames of the glasses ina constant yellow- to show the animatronic is “on” but not “evil”…. yet.
      3. Materials List:
      • found cardboard (cut into the 4 ear fragments)
      • dark blue felt
      • grey felt
      • stuffing
      • sewing machine or needle and thread
      • red velvet bow
      • clear glasses
      • blue clothing
      • neo jewels (2)
      • neopixel strips (4, 2 inch strips)
      • metal headband
      • thick wire
      • solder

      To Do List:

      • order materials
      • write code for glowing eyes
      • test out code
      • attach battery to glasses
      • attach eyes to glasses
      • cut cardboard & felt
      • shape wire frame for ears
      • solder wire to hairband
      • glue cardboard to wire
      • sew or glue grey felt to blue felt
      • stuff the grey felt and close
      • sew or glue blue felt around the cardboard

      Yennie’s Neo-pixel Proactive & Halloween costume ideas

      (1) Neo-pixel Proactive

      https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_M4c-t5vR3dTZmuAR9-gIKNMrqpPBljq?usp=sharing

      (1) Powerpuff Beam Sunglasses (Team Project)😎

      This is a team project with Batu❤️, Jisu💚, and me🩵.
      We were inspired by The Powerpuff Girls and their iconic superpowers — especially the laser beams that shoot from their eyes. Our idea is to design sunglasses that project LED light beams from the eyes, representing each character’s unique energy and symbol.

      (2) Raining in NYC🌧️

      A wearable Halloween headpiece inspired by the rainy mood of New York City.
      I plan to create a head accessory made of soft cotton, designed to look like clouds. Shimmering LEDs and crystal chains will hang down to mimic falling raindrops. Instead of a dark or gloomy tone, I want to evoke a dreamy and fantasy-like atmosphere.

      Walking Sunflower🌻

      For this costume, I will transform an umbrella into a glowing sunflower.
      Warm-colored LEDs will illuminate the inside of the umbrella, while yellow fabric on the outside will represent sunflower petals. I’ll wear an outfit inspired by sunflower seeds to complete the look, making it feel bright, cheerful, and lively.

      Thanks🌻