Project 1: Object
Zines are capsules about a topic. As such, they provide a diverse range of form and content,
and can feed readers’ own insights through stimulation rather than dictation.
In this assignment, we will practice multiple ways of generating form and content that explores:
– Objects as a lens to cultural observation
– Degrees of complexity about a topic
– Quick approach to making
In this assignment, we will choose an object and explore it using five different formal methods, and combine them in a printed format.
The object can be a personal object, everyday object, tools, etc. Choose an object based on your personal intuition, then explore it in a topical manner: what is this object for you? what stories or perspectives can be revealed through this object? What is the cultural context of this object? How does other people think about the object?
Consider the order of content. Your page layout can be structured as multiple sections, continuous (flow), or a combination of. Make a cover having a title and your name.
Format
2–4 tabloid-sized sheets, single-folded, black and white.
Method
You may separate one by one, or merge the multiple methods in varying degrees. consider variation.
– *250 words text: creative response(essay, poem, letter, dialogue, etc), or research/data-based article
– illustration
– collaged images
– photography
– scan
– short statement or phrase
– infographic
Final Due
01.06
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Project 2: Circle
Zines are a tool of communities, either in their method of making or their ability to connect through ideas, or both. In project 1 you explored multiplicity of content and form, now we will bring that into multiplicity of voice by relay. Like an intellectual meme, the idea of one is always influenced by the ideas of others.
In this assignment, we will practice (multiple ways of generating form and content) that explores:
– acknowledging and utilizing the idea of another as a new possibility rather than a limitation
– instigating a new point of view by exploiting an existing element
– building a living structure through cooperative assembly
In this assignment, one student will initiate a design using a given keyword. The resulting design will then be shared with the next student in the list who will select one attribute and use that as the primary topic for their design. Copy an “indicator” of the attribute, and place it into a 2 x 2 ̋square, that will live on the new composition. This process repeats when your design relayed to the next person, and so on.
Material
Open as long as you can print onto it
Form
Form may be flat or folded as long as it fits into the following final dimensions:
Minimum size of final piece: half-letter (5.5×8.5 ̋) Maximum size of final piece: tabloid size (11×17 ̋)
Schedule
Being on time is critical for the whole group. When you finish, email a pdf or a jpg file of your design to the next student and us, by your individual due date. By February 2nd, make 16 copies. In the end, everyone’s pieces will be gathered into sets.
Final Due
Due date per individual (see number draw) Final Crit: 02.02
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Project 3: Modes
Zines are containers to deliver content. The practical nature of the container can have a conceptual relationship with the topic and may also be inventive in its method of how the content is experienced.
In this assignment, we will practice building the container through different media in collaborative teams. This will explore:
– Conceptual topic, and how the mode of delivery extends that concept
– Learning about and experimenting with various media
– Division of work and shared authorship through collaboration
In this assignment, each team of 3 will produce a zine about one of the topics below. Each zine will be delivered in at least 2 independent media formats.
Consider structures. How will you organize the content and determine the suitable media:
how will the work be read? how can it be encountered,? can its context be reflected in the media? As you work in teams, how will you share ideas and determine the role of each person?
Method
Strategize how the topic can be expressed in 2 unique media formats. Each mode should be in relation to each other. The relationship between each piece could be based on:
1. Hierarchy : supporting one another, while one is subordinate to the other.
2. Perspectives: alternating views
3. Dialogue: exchanging content / responding to each other
4. Encounter: how does the audience encounter these? Is it static (i.e. webpage, printed piece), or active (i.e. intervention, event)?
*Each piece has to contain enough content to exist as a body unto itself — It must include a written component.
Possible Formats
– Application
– Event
– Installation
– Podcast
– Print
– Sound
– Video
– Wearable something
– Web
Possible Topic Areas
– Boundary
– Chance
– Food
– Future
– Game
– Identity
– Language
– Mobility
– Play
– Rules
– Sound
– Space
– System
– Time
Final Due
01.21
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Project 4: Final project
Zines are capsules about a topic, a tool of communities, and are inventive containers to deliver content. Zines are also innately social and are most genuine when accessible to the public.
In this assignment, consider your work from the previous projects. Select an aspect(s) that revealed itself in challenging or unexpected ways and push it further, such as content generated by participation, formal quality, production and structure, relationships between multiple components, etc. As you develop your idea and form(s), build your distribution strategies concurrently. This project may be individual or collaborative.
This week you will conduct your research. Frame your research using the written structure below, and present it next Monday, January 26:
– Title and short description
– Your name
– Objectives
– Audience
– How you envision the outcome: it’s form, style, materials and process
– Where the zine will function, it’s context
– What is the method of distribution
– Schedule and time frame
You will distribute your zine and document the process by Tuesday, February 3rd. We will critique this project based on your process, final outcome, and documentation using the parameters below:
– Enough sketches of how you developed the idea(s) into a tangible result
– A level of craft that allows people to understand your concept
– Distribution strategy: starting point and following steps
– Visual documentation of the nature and environment of your distribution method
– Captured response of the receiver(s) using photography or video and a method such as an interview, social media comments or hashtag tracking, to capture public interpretation, response, continued dissemination, etc.
The final presentation for this project will be at the beginning of class on February 4th, then gather and check out all of your wintersession Zines.
Final Due
02.04