Using your research into artists’ books and fanzines as a starting point, think about their physical or design qualities, and creatively apply some of these approaches to your own designs. For example, there’s a distinctive visual quality to many fanzines which comes from a ‘cut and paste’ approach to designing and through the use of cheap photocopying and printing. Punk fanzines in particular make a virtue out of having limited resources, no computers and little, or no, formal training as graphic designers. Use your sketchbooks to experiment with a similar ‘cut and paste’ approach by cutting and collaging magazines and other material. What does this approach offer you as a book designer? Alternatively, you can find other ideas you would like to test out in your sketchbook. You don’t need to make any finished designs, just give yourself room to experiment and try things out.
First I continued my research on zines by creating a board on Pinterest as well
I decided to start exploring the unperfected world of zines. I really like the fact zines do no look 'perfectly aesthetic' as I feel like my own hands can't manifest 100% perfectly the ideas I have in my head (something I can for instance in a digital way on the computer). While fanzines can be free and fun it gave me freedom to create without trying to perfect things.
I have started with creating a cover/ layout for a zine which is my psychedelic rock style. using a fun 60-70's psychedelic typography and grids.
Then I was exploring some cut and paste. I didn't have many magazines at home which I wanted to cut from so I started with what I had at home - lots of cool toilet wrapping paper of the brand "who gives a crap". I started using some letters and words and put them together on my sketch book.
Then I went to the shop and got a magazine I liked so I can "cut and paste" from.
I actually was pretty let down, as the stores has such a great verity of magazines but most of them are very poorly designed and I didn't even want to pick them up for collaging.
I have found that most 'mindful'/ 'wellbeing' magazines are more thoughtful and well designed, and I picked up one I really liked.
I just tried different ways of combining elements from it together.
Lastley I wanted to explore a kind of zines I've seen a lot - which is simple and cute illustration and text as a theme. I decided to create an astrology based zine to experiment with that.
