The project called for selecting a topic for a zine and reviewing major current stories related to it. I had to identify key sub-topics within my chosen subject and conduct thorough research to inform my design direction and content outline. This research would form the basis of a brief, detailing key images and messages. I needed to articulate the purpose and intent of the zine, taking into account the target audience and the context for distribution, such as on campus or in a specific part of town. The zine also was limited to two colors for a more budget efficient print process.
I originally explored different sub genres of fashion and trends but it felt to surface level. I wanted to challenge myself to push further and explore a topic I was genuinely passionate about. This guided me towards researching the negative effects micro tends have on our environment, economy, and psychology and how we can combat this issue.
Since the early 2000’s, amplifying after 2020, micro trends have taken over the industry as a rise in social media and consumerism have pushed society to shift through aesthetics rapidly. It is also noted that this increase in hyper specific quick lived trends stem from a generational crave for self expression and creativity while still fitting the mold pushed by social platforms, influencers, and celebrities. Many researchers have found Tik Tok to be the most influential in swaying micro trends as a new trend appears weekly. People seem to be underestimating the damage micro trends are causing in the three following areas: psychology, the environment, and the economy.
The goal is if enough people change their consumption habits, small businesses may have the opportunity to grow again helping the economy, and reusing textiles will cut down on environmental waste to help our planet heal. The target audience for this Zine would be mostly Gen Z and younger in a coffee shop or retail store, hopefully the fun visuals would convince them to pick up the zine and then the content would spread awareness about the issues micro trends are causing that they are actively a part of.
Included on this page
Inspiration
Process
Final Design
Inspiration
I originally was inspired a trending style I had seen on Pinterest as well as my job at the time at Urban Outfitters and the “trend” pieces they had been receiving. Also the pin board and runway show outfit charts were a large inspiration for me as I really wanted to push a fun fashion forward street ware aesthetic while still addressing a very serious issue.
Process
After researching and writing the copy for the zine, I began by loosely sketching out potential spreads. After the hand sketches I went digital and started working on the layout in InDesign as well as creating different variations of the two color combo to gauge what best matched the tone of the writing. The decision to add in the hand drawn elements was during the last round of revisions when the zine felt too informational for the intended audience.