Here is the link to my project: https://you.stonybrook.edu/zines/.
It is a webtext dedicated to examining the decision to create zines in the age of digital self-publishing. Analyzing zines allows us to understand some of the limitations of digital self-publishing and argues for the continued relevance of print mediums.
Zines are one of my favorite collectibles. It’s such a fun and inexpensive way to support artists you love. I own several zines myself from different conventions I’ve been to over the years. More than just a piece of stapled paper, these zines mean so much to me. They represent a specific instance in time, almost like a memory. It’s from a different time, when I was with different people, or into a specific artist or fascinated by a particular topic. I agree with your claim that a zine can exist in a digital space, but it’s truly meant to be paper held in your hand to be an authentic experience. I enjoyed the format of your presentation, particularly with how much effort went into making it look so visually pleasing. One of the most important things with digital or physical media is having a mastery over visually pleasing design to catch the reader and keep them engaged, you did both very well.
I had never heard of zines before reading your project. It was fascinating to learn how zines promote so much of what we have focused on in this class. They strengthen the connection with the reader, take on alternative formats, promote the remix, and make use of both visual and textual elements. Zines fit so well into our class discussions. Thank you for bringing them to light in your project!
Putting content aside for a moment, it was also interesting to think about your choice of presenting this paper as a web-text. I love how your project mixes the format of a zine with an academic style. The background picture present throughout the web-text takes on the form of a zine. Yet the actual text of your project takes on an academic style. I love how you incorporated zines into the overall academic style of your project. These styles complemented each other very well.
What really made your project stand out, for me, is how you include the “Links to More Info” tab at the very end. Since I have never made a zine before, I was thankful that you included some background sources on zines and how to get started. I found your project very easy to follow, both digitally and contextually. Even as someone who had never heard of a zine, I found your style of writing to be very informative and enthralling. Yet I still love how you give the reader an option to continue learning about zines at the end. This was extremely useful, and it is clear that you were keeping the reader in mind as you designed the web-text.
Hey Matt,
Before viewing your project, I had never heard of zines, which is disappointing! They are adorable and creative and after looking through your research I’d love to make my own. I’m glad that you explored this topic because it connects so directly to our discussions in class. Your point about the imperfections present on zines reflecting humanity, and this being lost when posted online resonated most with me. I’m an artist and love going to art galleries/museums. Although you can view most of the work from these galleries/museums online, in doing so, you lose the detail and story behind the creation of the piece. When viewing art up close, you can see individual markings and brush strokes made by an artist, which allude to the amount of time and effort that was put into the art. This loss is evident when comparing the pictures you included in “Scrappy Messiness Increases Affection”. The zine created online has no texture or aesthetic depth in comparison to the physical one, which is disappointing. Emphasizing this loss and discussing the implications of moving this art form online is necessary to help people understand the consequences of adapting a physical art form to the standards of the digital age.
I love the background image you used for the website because it reflected the collaging aspect of zines that is important to the genre. Since visual media is essential to reading and enjoying a zone, I feel that you could’ve included more images in your site. I thought that the sections that you included images throughout the text were more visually pleasing than those lacking them. Including more images, or other forms of media, throughout the text could also help break things up. The text was very blocky, which could dissuade viewers from reading on. This effect is unfortunate because your research is so interesting and worth delving into. In addition to images and other media, separating the text into paragraphs and choosing some words or phrases to bold or hyperlink could help. Lastly, something to consider adding into your work is your own experience with zines. While exploring your site, I found myself wondering what compelled you to research zines and what role they have played in your life. Otherwise, great work! I enjoyed learning about your topic. 🙂
Similar to other classmates, I have never heard of zines, before reading your project. However, your description and background of your webtext helped me to visualize what they are. It was interesting to see the change from the printed version into the digital age, especially when discussing privacy. The section on protection of minority groups was my favorite, because online it is hard to find any privacy at all. People are always screenshotting, resharing, and posting comments (even anonymously). This makes it easier for mean comments to be spread throughout and can even hinder one’s motivation for posting, because they fear the negativity that their work could be exposed to. So, it was interesting to learn that even in the digital age, zines are still protected from this because there is a no comment section. One must think though, is it common for people to still repost zines?
Also, I began to question the relevance that zines still play in today’s society. I began to reflect on the “Because Internet” book we read in class, because it stated there are communities in the digital age. zines are their own community where people feel safe and comfortable to share their work. It not being mainstream even plays into the personal genre that they hold. Unlike a random post on Instagram, zines are personalized and intimate as they can be printed and are meant to be held. I believe they can still be considered intimate on the digital realm, if one takes the time to stop and reflect on it, as we stopped and reflected on something beautiful for our discussion board. I truly enjoyed learned about something total new and how even in a digital era, printed versions still hold importance.
Like many others, I had no clue what zines was. Upon reading the introduction and the definition of zines, I drew connection to a personal diary. Both zines and a personal diary are used to discuss a wide range of topics. The difference is that zines is digital and can be shared with anyone. It was interesting to learn that zines is more intimate because of its ‘scrappy aesthetic’. I can see this being true because it feels like you are reading out of someone’s personal book. I also like that zines allows its author to maintain privacy if needed.
Overall, your topic was really interesting. I enjoyed how everything was formatted. One minor critique is about the navigation bar. It was difficult to see the options because of the grid paper background. I found it distracting having grid lines go through texts.
Hi Matt,
I kind of knew what zines were going into this from when you talked about doing this as your research project. However, I realize now that zines are so much more. I also thought that maybe it was a dying art, but clearly it’s not based on the Etsy search you provided as well as the examples of the events held. I would agree that zines have this humanistic and creative aspect to them that you can’t get with a computer screen. The way you discussed the physicality of the zines is relatable to me in the sense that when I read a physical book or text book, I feel somewhat more engaged than its electronic counterpart.
I liked the example you gave of a zine from “For Girls Who Cry Often”, it definitely did give that more informal and almost more personable experience. I have a magazine book from Frank Ocean, and he uses zines throughout the book that make it feel just like the example you gave. However, I can see why the messiness of zines might deter some people. I feel as though now that we are pretty immersed in the digital world, some may favor the more clean and simplistic aspect of say a website with tabs and neatness. I would say it depends on the content. Personally, if I was reading something for school or for information, I may prefer the cleaner way.
The way zines can provide security and protection against minorities is a topic I was super in-tune and interested in. I have had times where I had slurs thrown at me in comment sections and other online spaces because of my last name. I can see how it can be worse for other minorities like you talked about. I can see how zines can basically mitigate this and basically cure this issue. And I liked the point that, without this fear, we can truly express ourselves without this bias culminating from fear.
I think it’s interesting that once something is put online, it is up for intense scrutiny and scanning in regard to copyright. Sites like Facebook and Youtube are exhibits A and B. I find it interesting how it seems as though you can get away with a lot with zines.
The DIY section gave me the confidence to maybe try and make my own zine one day. This is also similar in a way to how I learned Adobe. I felt as though at first, it was intimidating and I thought I needed to be a movie director and know everything, but with a little practice and time, I can be a decent video editor. Same goes for zines, it seemed as though artists and super creative people beyond my capacity could only make zines. However, I see that even I can make one.
Hi Matt,
It is great to see how far your project has come since I read your rough draft. I really like the format you chose. It was really easy to navigate with the side bar. The background image and colors you chose fit your theme and made the website very appealing. I also really liked how you made the zine examples a hyperlink. I was able to click on them to read more about them. I like how your project is sort of the opposite of most of the others. It looks at digital media with a pro-paper point of view. I really liked that perspective.
Before reading your project, I really did not know much about zines. Now, I find them fascinating. Everything online has to be perfect, whereas a zine is appreciated for being imperfect. I think that this is interesting. Also, I found the DIY copyright licenses interesting. It loosens the copyright laws, which can be too strict at times, but it also provides protection. I definitely agree that we lose a lot of interaction online, or at least it is not the same. We become isolated. Zines allow people to connect and share ideas.
I really liked your section “Links to More Info.” It was a great idea to include it. I spent some time exploring the zines, and watched a little bit of the videos on how to make a zine. This definitely enhanced your project, and helped solidify what a zine is after reading the other sections.
Hi Matt,
Truthfully, before reading your project, I had never heard of zines or had even seen one. But after reading about them, I really want to learn more about them since, as you said, they are a break from the constant screens and it seems like something fun to do and it allows you to create something new and unique to you. I also liked how you presented them as simpler technology that includes making your own decisions and how it can be as simple as picking up a pencil or cutting and pasting images.
I also found it interesting how you made a comparison between zines and blogs and how you brought up how a blog page may be infinite, something that is not true of a zine as it is limited to the page that you decide to create it on.
Hey Matt,
Before your project I’ve only come in to contact with zines one time prior in my freshman seminar class. Your project really expanded my knowledge and perception of zines and their possible utilization in popular culture and media. I think that the rebirth of the scenes in today’s society in cultural climate is literally just what the doctor ordered; with the rise of mass-misinformation regarding the pandemic and other major cultural events, I believe zines may just be the way to simply the complex and make information digestible.
Also! huge amount of respect to figuring out how to navigate the Stony Brook You format. Your project honestly looks amazing and I earnestly commend you for your dedication. If I ever have to use this format again, which I truly hope I do not, you’ll be the first one to reach out to lol.
Hi Matt,
Before your project, I have never heard of zines before. Initially, I thought they were maybe something synonymous with memes but I was completely wrong. It was intriguing to read about something new that’s present on the internet and yet, I have never come across one. The idea of it being anti-aesthetic and “scrappy messiness” brings some comfort and relatability as it seems that it reflects more of the reality that is often hidden in the world of the internet. Whenever I scroll through social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram, and even blogs, everything and everyone seems so picture-perfect that it makes me feel self-conscious of the life I’m currently living.
Your discussion in copyright aversion with zines was my favorite part. While looking at the examples you gave of zines, I was wondering if citing a source was something that was greatly emphasized even in zines. To my surprise, giving credit is not a feature that an individual designing a zine would have to worry about. If anything, this made me more of a fan of zines as it goes on to “defy” the general rules of the internet and offers more freedom for people to express themselves. Moreover, I thought the idea of the Zine Fest was even cuter as it allowed people to not only share their zines online but take a hobby off the internet and share it with people in person.
Overall, I thought your project was a great read and appreciated the format of your webpage as it seems that you may have tried to emulate a “zine-like” presentation.
I will just add on to others, I had no idea what zines were! And now I am well on my way to being obsessed…
There is so much information that you have packed into your webpage but a piece within the “Zines Provide Protection for Minority Opinions and Groups” section stuck with me–you wrote
“Zine distribution through places, such as Etsy and zine sharing events, allow the creator to know where their zine is headed. There are also no comment sections in a zine. Feedback from the reader occurs in more controlled ways that encourage civility. ”
What you highlight here about the internet has always been a fear of mine and one reason why I have not shared my creative makes publically on the internet–and certainly not on social media. I am so happy and excited to learn that there is a medium which may fill this gap between indie creators who shy away from social media and their audiences.
I never knew zines existed until you explained your topic the first day we were put in our peer review groups. I was able to learn about something totally new to me through this project. I think that making zines by hand than using digital tools is better because I agree that people will take better care of the actual zine and have a deeper connection to it. Comparatively, if someone sees a zine they like online, they might screenshot it and never look back at it again. I like that minority groups were discussed and how zines can protect them from harmful comments on social media. Examples of this were given without including zines, like the Cardi B example, which gives the audience a better understanding of how harsh and dangerous people on social media can be.
I never really knew what zines were before reading your project. The description and introduction about zines really gave me visuals of what zines are. The topic of how zines provide security and protection against minorities really drew me into the topic. I can see how zines can mitigate this problem in a way.
Hi Matt,
Just like other classmates of ours have noted, I also never heard of zines until I read through your project. To provide a suggestion, I think it would have been helpful to include an example of a zine when defining it. Although you do argue how it is essential to maintain the print version of zines, I think it would have allowed for a greater understanding of what they are to the clueless reader like me. It took me a while of reading through other topics of your project and seeing other examples before I got a grasp on what zines are.
I thought it was very interesting that you touched upon the digital age’s affect on curating community. I really liked how you touched upon COVID because I think it was an excellent real-life example of showcasing how essential human face-to-face interaction is.
For a visual suggestion, like Danny I had a slightly difficult time navigating the search bar. The gridlines that go through the text take away from being able to focus on the text itself. Although it certainly looks cool, I think it would have been better to make the background of the headings plain especially in contrast to the right side with all the covers cluttering the background of the main text.
Hey Matt,
First off, I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the creative portion of your project. The simple fact of seeing something made in and an arts and crafts style made me really miss those days. Matter of fact, I haven’t seen something made in that type of way in a long time.
I had no clue what zines were. Maybe I had heard the word before, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you what it was, at least not before your project. It’d be cool to see them make a come back as I feel zines of today have a ton of potential. But sadly we’re moving further and further away from that direction––but maybe it’s just our natural progression and that zines have led us to where we are today in certain aspects of the art community.
Matt,
I didn’t know anything about zines until I heard you speak about them, and honestly, they feel like scrapbooks for the soul. I love how they’re such an authentic expression of the self, and really similar to the way people express themselves when they’re children. At that age, anything that’s in your head is valid to put down on paper and I’m not sure why we ever transitioned away from that. There isn’t necessarily a prioritization for organization and it feels just like a stream of consciousness. I loved how there’s less of an emphasis on perfection, which feels like the antithesis of what social media is like today. The fact that the messiness is what makes it unique feels like such a powerful rebuttal to what our society currently values.