Social Influence Through Zines Proposal

Introduction

An issue that must be addressed is that in an age where digital publications are becoming ever-increasingly popular, and claims that the printed page is a dying form of communication, why is there a continual stream of designers independently publishing magazines?

This will be considered particularly from a female point of view, as the types of publications aimed at women that are most inexpensive are the most degrading in terms of content.

Looking back at early 90's fanzines, there was a surge in feminist literature that was of cultural value, uncensored and published freely in a low-budget manner.

In more recent years, there are small selections of female-based magazines that continue to provide interesting, intelligent publications that do not fit into the mainstream publishing environment. These are produced by groups of individuals who both write and design their own magazines, which can be described as 'graphic authorship'.

These magazines may have progressed on from the original definition of a cut and paste 'zine', yet their values remain similar, publishing content that is uncensored and, at times, specific to a genre or particular topics that do not appeal to a mass market.

Would these magazines benefit from going digital, or having an online presence?

Background and research question

At present research has been conducted on various areas, firstly into the evolution of zines, particularly those that are design based and have female editors/ creative directors (e.g. Emigre)

Deconstruction of independently published magazines is in progress, considering aspects such as layout, type and imagery. These are being taken apart, with reference to academic sources.

In terms of the findings so far, there was a particular statement that was found to be interesting, "The extended letter writing that comes from fanzine culture can fulfill a kind of fantasy role. Once immersed in it you can spend you[r] evenings 'talking' to your friends in other parts without the problems and inhibitions of real social contact. You can imagine your correspondents' appearance and character and feel like you really know them, without ever meeting." (Triggs, 1995)

This statement bears similarities to the present online culture of social media, chatrooms, forums and blogging. People from around the world are able to have social interaction without ever meeting, and a parallel is drawn here with zine culture. Could it be thought that fanzines were one of the first catalysts for this type of 'anonymous' friendship and way for introverts to express themselves freely without feeling socially inhibitied?

Methods

Methods that may be employed to answer

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