Modes of Self-Publishing
GRAPH-2800-01
Monday – Wednesday, 01/05/2015 – 02/04/2015
Design Center, Room 210
Instructor
Minkyoung Kim, mkim12@risd.edu
Christina Webb, cwebb@risd.edu
Overview
Zines are typically self-published works with small circulations. Because of their spontaneity and low-fi craft, they allow individuals to express a broad range of voices in a rapidly shareable way; a device that has endured via sub-cultures that do not rely on power structures to function. Now, in a media landscape made more accessible through new technology, the definition of zines needs to be reassessed. What kind of forms and distribution strategies are possible via various modes such as printed matter, web, and mobile apps? What role does independent publishing play in a time when ideas are readily shared across moderated online platforms?
We will explore ‘zine’, not just as a circulation platform for printed matter, but as an experimental vehicle for visual or verbal content. Through discussion and research, we will consider historical context and study a range of makers who use independent publishing as a medium. Bringing this into our own practice, we will learn how to visually express ideas that are openly distributed and can expand independent publication strategies in the context of contemporary media. You will create, curate, and circulate work whose meaning is amplified by its own process.
Course Goals
– Assembly: exploring different systems to compose content
– Collectivity: working with others to allow collective authorship
– Multiplicity: investigating multiple media and taking that as an opportunity to experiment with formal outcomes
– Distribution: building distributional strategies as an extension of concept
Structure
Class will be a mixture of projects, group critiques, and reading discussions. In each project, students will explore different modes of production based on our course goals. Readings will be distributed weekly. We will discuss the readings in class every monday, in relation to design, practice, and theory. Everyone will prepare two questions in response to each reading and post them on our class website prior to that discussion. Brief overviews about tools for print / digital publication will be provided when it is necessary.
Grading
You will be evaluated mostly on your participation and willingness to take risks. Experimentation and openness to learning from others will be as important as final outcomes.
Participation 40%
Assignment 4 25%
Assignments 1–3 25%
Preparation 10%