Zine 101

A crash course in the world of zines

The syllabus:

  • What is a Zine?

  • History of a Zine

  • Learn to make your own

LESSON 1- What is a zine?

A zine is probably what you think it is. When you hear the word zine it sounds super similar to a magazine and surprise, it is a cute mini magazine/booklet. 

A zine is a self-published, homemade that can be on any, and I mean ANY topic you want. 

I found some interesting YouTube videos on zines > check them out  


LESSON 2 - History

History and fun facts about zines

  • Originally called fanzines

  • Fanzines = Fan + Magazines

  • Centered around Sci-Fi topics

  • The first zine was made in the 1930s

Zines evolved from Sci-Fi topic to Punk Bands, the feminist movement, and now the skies the limit to any topic you can think of. In fact, Kanye West has a zine!
-More history of zines found on Mental Floss 

LESSON 3 - Learn

Skillshare

Are you a member of Skillshare? If so, check out their zine classes. There are quite a few (I counted 10).  I personally have taken Making Your First Zine: From Idea to Illustration by Kate Bingaman-Burt and LOVED IT! 

Forums & Websites

We Make Zines
ZineWiki

Blogs

Creative Bloq

That's Logic Zine

 Where to buy zines

Zine-O-Matic

A Link To More Cool Links

Link to other Links :) 

CONCLUSION

Now that you've heard of a zine, and have had a brief introduction to What they are, a little history and evolution of them and where you can go learn more and find inspiration -  there is no going back to a life without zines. 

Zines have an edge to them, but not a scary one, it's more like a cool kid edge factor. 

MY ZINE

Here is a flip through of a Zine I made. I call it The Happy Zine. It's filled with simple illustrations and hand lettered happy quotes.

All I did was upload and assemble my illustrated quotes into Photoshop and then printed from my printer. I also added colorful washi tape! 

What type of Zine topic sparks your interest?

I challenge you to make Zine.
Make one or two or three!
It's fun! ๐Ÿ˜Š

*EMAIL ME A COPY OF YOUR ZINE!
I'D LOVE โ™ฅ TO SEE IT & POSSIBLY FEATURE IT.