How I Make My Zines

Here's why you need to make one yourself too

What you'll learn

to make zines

to make selection and sequencing of their photos

to learn how to find a printer or publisher

to learn how to promote their work

Requirements

no experience needed

Description

In this class, I’ll guide you through my process of creating zines. Since 2019, I’ve been making street photography zines, with 18 completed so far. All but one of them focus on the streets of New York, but each zine explores a unique theme. The first is titled New York in Snow, and the most recent is Gleason’s Gym. Some other titles include Coney Island Beach, Prospect Park, New York Cops, Daydreamers, and New York Loneliness.In this class, you’ll learn how to create your own zine, from the initial step—such as coming up with a theme—through to the final stages of selling and distributing. I’ll walk you through the entire process, including selecting photos, designing the cover and layout, publishing, and even shipping.Please note: This is not a technical tutorial on how to design zines using specific software. I’ll leave that aspect to you or other instructors, as it could easily be its own workshop. Instead, this class will focus on the overall journey of zine-making, sharing my personal approach to each step.For the class project, you’ll create your own zine—what else! You don’t need to go as far as publishing or printing it; a well-made PDF will be enough for this project. However, keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to see your work in print. After all, the magic of zines lies in the tactile experience of holding a small book or magazine filled with your photography.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Section 2: The Process

Lecture 2 Finding a Theme

Lecture 3 Ideas and Preparation

Lecture 4 Selecting Photos

Lecture 5 Designing the Cover

Lecture 6 Designing the Zine

Lecture 7 Sequencing

Lecture 8 Publishing

Lecture 9 Shipping

Lecture 10 Selling and Distributing

Section 3: Class Project

Lecture 11 Class Project

Section 4: Final Thoughts

Lecture 12 Final Thoughts

photography aficionados and professionals