A zine (derived from magazine) is a cheap, relatively simple-to-make type of printed publication. Photographers might produce zines for a range of reasons but they can be useful for testing out an idea and publishing a small body of work relatively inexpensively. Publishing a book is a time-consuming, complex, often collaborative and very expensive process. Zines are a way to reach an audience for your work and are often popular with people who prefer a DIY process and aesthetic.
Here are some experiments of my own related to my Clocks for Seeing project, using the photographs I took during the trip to the Sugimoto and Moriyama exhibitions.
Here are some experiments of my own related to my Clocks for Seeing project, using the photographs I took during the trip to the Sugimoto and Moriyama exhibitions.
Quarter fold poster zine
I decided to experiment with making my own zine design based on a quarter fold. I wanted it to be double sided so chose to include a full bleed image on the back which, when folded out, created a single image poster. This was created using Adobe InDesign.
Clocks for Seeing Quarter Fold template 2023.indd | |
File Size: | 2613 kb |
File Type: | indd |
The advantage of creating an InDesign template is that images can easily be swapped in and out whilst retaining the relevant formatting E.g. upside down and overlapping pictures.
The finished zine
I really like the simplicity and clarity of this design. It's good to have a range of image sizes and each framed in different ways. I chose to print this example on cartridge paper for its weight and texture. It would be interesting to experiment with other types and colours of paper (e.g. sugar paper).
Folding one page zine
I found the template for this zine on Kelli Anderson's website. She describes it as a DIY Paper Animated Gif. I downloaded the template and experimented with using my own photographs, choosing two pictures taken on Oxford Street (below). It took me a while to work out how to use the template, especially the more complex second side.
This is the template I created, following Kelli's guidleines:
Folding One Page Zine template 2023.psd | |
File Size: | 46888 kb |
File Type: | psd |
You can see the process of making the different versions of the zine in the screenshots below.
The finished zine (first draft)
I really enjoyed the challenge of making this work. I like the switch between two different photographs of pedestrians on Oxford Street taken just a few seconds apart. The endless scrolling action is also very pleasing. I wondered what it might be like to introduce an element of colour to further differentiate the two images.
A refined (colour) version
The printed, cut and folded zine. I decided to leave one of the image versions in black and white and added a colour layer to the others, hoping to add a bit more interest to the experience of scrolling.
Whilst this was challenging and fun to make, I don't think it really works as a zine. There are only versions of two images and the object itself is more like a stress toy than a publication.