FINAL PROJECT: Designing a ZINE!
ART 102: DESIGNING A ZINE
Visual communication can take form in multiple ways through multiple objects. For a mainstream audience, magazines are way for designers to create layouts through the unification of text and image.
Zines are the underground version of magazines or fanzines. Done in the spirit of DIY, zines are an inexpensive way to create stunning visual art and intriguing literary elements. One of the most important aspects of a zine is how broad of a range the subject matter can be. Zines can be found full of short stories, have a comic book style layout, or be a mixture of local news, community artwork, and poems- it’s all up to the designer of the publication.
Design a zine with a minimum of 12 pages (front and back counts). Identify a concept/theme for your zine that centers on identity. Brainstorming/mind mapping session will occur in class. Using the tables below, choose a single element or principle or a combo of both for each page/spread. Each page/spread should exhibit a different set of elements and principles. Zines are a type of publication, usually created in batches of 20+. You are only required to produce 3 copies of your zine.
Space/Size Unity
Line Variety
Shape Balance
Color (hue) Rhythm
Texture Contrast
Value Repetition Harmony
Gradation
Develop and create a 12 pg. zine (or alternative to a book) with your own visual imagery and text using/incorporating of the elements and principles of design
Understanding the link between analog and digital
Development and exploration of concept within work
Understand the relationship between text and image
Understand the different messages created by using different font styles.
Demonstrate use of collage in a handmade Zine using different materials and elements, along with 2 prints (Scanned or Xerox copies)
Demonstrate use of Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to create a digital Zine
Materials: Sketchbook, pencil, eraser, found printed matter (magazines/newspapers/junk mail, stickers, photographs, fabrics, flat material, scrapbook paper, stamps, etc.), computer (Adobe Creative Suite), flash drive/portable hard drive
*** recommended: bring your own scissors and glue stick/tape
Research – All info should be documented in your sketchbook & on your website!
What are zines? Who makes them and why? Where can you find them? Find images and/or hard copies of zines as examples.
Begin thinking about how you want to layout your zine. What shape will it be? Horizontal? Vertical? What content will be included? How will you unite your text with your imagery? What imagery will you use? (collage, drawings, etc.) What text will you use? (poems, local news stories, interviews, personal or fictional narratives?) What techniques will you use to bind your final product? (staple, sew, tape, glue, etc.)
Brainstorm/Mind map then sketch out 10 thumbnails to convey initial concept for the zine.
After your thumbnails are drawn, narrow your ideas down to the top three strongest designs.
With these three ideas, sketch out a more thoroughly detailed pencil rough (1/2 the size of your final piece). This should be more detailed than your thumbnail sketches.
Once you have a general idea of the direction your zine will take, you can begin the transfer of your ideas into a handmade collage or digitally in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator
You will be using a scanner (or Xerox machine) to bring your sketches/drawings/texts (if these are all hand drawn) into the program. If your concept is more digital-driven, you can just copy and paste those works into the program.
Once you have all your documents on the computer, you can edit them in Photoshop or place them right into Illustrator
You can print in black and white or color – whichever you prefer.
Assemble and glue/tape/sew your zine pages, and collage elements together as you choose
Scan/Xerox print 2 copies of your original handmade Zine (Remember: You are required to produce THREE zines (one layout, 3 copies) for this project).
Production – Demo – “Intro to Bookbinding”
Arrange your pages (by folding) and prepare your materials to bind the pages together. Everyone’s process for this will be different, based on the initial concepts. Binding can be as simple as stapling or more complex using thread.
***This stage will be different for everyone depending on how you define a “book.”
Evaluation: (20 points total ---- not 10 as per usual)
Research/Process (10 points)
Includes evidence of research conducted (in sketchbook)
a. Thumbnail sketches, Pencil roughs, Digital composition, Final product
3. A reflection describing your process and how you thought the project went
4. Assigned work completed by each check point (check point dates identified in the schedule
Printed and bound (3) zines (cover, interior pages, back cover) (12 pgs.) or alternative bookmaking technique accomplished
Craftsmanship (Clean pages, no tears/crinkles/smudges)
F, Nov. 21: Introduce project, show examples
M, Nov. 24: Begin mindmapping/brainstorming, research, thumbnails, pencil roughs
M, Dec. 1: Bookbinding techniques demo // Work day
F, Dec. 5: Project due!!! FINAL CRITIQUE!
M, Dec. 8: **Turn in entire portfolio**
turnnoffyourmind
dailybridgerton
gummygunk
romaincrisis
