"Wait, what's a zine?"
I'm glad you asked!
If you are not familiar, as zine making is a somewhat niche art form, zines refer to self-published booklets that really have no strict rules. They can be handmade if you want to take a physical, raw DIY approach, or they can be created digitally. There are different types, and the purpose can be educational, for self-expression, or to share art.
Basically, picture a (usually) short-form, small magazine- the key being that zines are created for creative rather than commercial reasons. Some people do sell their zines, like any art form, but the essence of zine-making is its authentic approach to expression and appreciation for imperfection.
The origins of zine-making come from fans who started making zines to share opinions and theories and connect through shared interests. My favorite part about zines is their huge range of themes and topics- they can bring people together and foster fun connection, but they are also often created for more consequential reasons. Many zines serve as a tool for spreading awareness or educating readers on otherwise underground or misunderstood topics, and I love that they can do this in a palatable and inviting way since they often include appealing artistic visuals and designs.
I wanted to showcase examples of different zine genres below, so feel free to click on the images to enlarge!
Zines are easily accessible through various zine archives and collections online. All of the following were found through https://archive.org/
Collage Style Perzines (PErsonal zines)
PHOTOGRAPHY ZINES
EDUCATIONAL ZINES
SOCIal COMMENTARY ZINES
FANZINES
