Are you ready to unleash your creativity? Today, we’re diving into the world of zines, specifically a fun and engaging project: crafting a one-page zine. Zines are an incredible way to express yourself, share your ideas, or even create a casual portfolio that showcases your talents. In this post, we’ll walk through the process of making a zine called “Little Treats for Big Tired People”, focusing on snacks for adults. Grab your favorite materials and let’s get started!
Getting Started with Your Zine
Hi, I’m Tarn, a creative director at Adobe, and I’m here to guide you through this arts and crafts project. You’ll need an A4 piece of paper as your canvas. The first step is to fold the paper in half like a hot dog, and then fold it again like a hamburger. This will create eight distinct pages. After folding, cut along the crease to reveal your mini booklet. Now, it’s time to label each page to visualize what your zine will look like.
Setting Up Your Canvas in Photoshop
With your physical zine ready, it’s time to transition to the digital realm. Open Adobe Photoshop and create a new document. Set the size to Letter, rotate it 90 degrees clockwise, and replicate the creases from your folded paper. The dimensions will guide you as you create your eight pages.
Next, consider building a mood board. This is a fantastic way to gather inspiration. I reached out to my Instagram followers to help me choose a color palette, and they selected a vibrant pattern that I loved. Once you have your inspiration, let’s start designing!
Designing the Cover Page
The cover page is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of your zine. I like to start by using a marquee selection tool to create the size of the first page in Photoshop. After copying that selection, create a new file that matches its dimensions. I decided to feature one of my favorite illustrations and incorporate a shadow effect for depth. To achieve this, I selected the subject, applied a soft edge brush for the shadow, and adjusted the fill for a more natural look.
Remember, your design doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about expressing yourself! I chose a blue color from the mood board for cohesion.
Filling Out the Zine
With the cover complete, it’s time to move on to the inner pages. For pages two and three, I recommend introducing yourself or your mission statement. This is a perfect opportunity to share your origin story. You can duplicate images using the command C and command V shortcuts, and manipulate them to fit your layout.
After placing a black-and-white background behind my image, I used the Circle Marquee tool to add some fun elements to the design. Fonts are another vital aspect, and when I asked my followers whether to use Helvetica or Futura, I ultimately went with Futura, which is my personal favorite.
Showcasing Your Work
On the next page, let’s showcase some of your work. I decided to feature my drawings of Victorian houses, layering them over a photograph of the same houses. If there are distracting elements in the background, like trash cans, use the Gen Fill feature in Photoshop to remove them seamlessly.
To enhance my illustration, I duplicated it and applied a color overlay for a unique outline effect. This technique often works better than a standard drop shadow and adds a layered look that feels cohesive.
Creating a Cohesive Theme
As we continue to the next spreads, remember that zines are about telling a story with your artwork. For pages four and five, I chose to pair a drawing of fruit with a nostalgic photo of my parents peeling fruit from my childhood. Gathering textures and stock images is a fun part of the process, and it adds depth to your project.
If you want to create a tape effect for a more textured look, simply use the Marquee tool to create a new layer, fill it with color, and then reduce the fill. You can also add jagged edges with the Lasso tool to simulate tape.
Finishing Touches
As you wrap up your zine, think about adding grain or noise to your pages for a vintage feel. By the time you reach page eight, it’s time to include your contact information or a call-to-action, inviting readers to connect with you.
Once everything is in place, it’s time to print your zine. A quick command P will send it to the printer, and if you’re lucky, a coworker might bring it to you fresh off the press!
Conclusion
There you have it! You’ve just created a one-page zine filled with your personality and creativity. This project is an excellent exercise for artists, allowing you to hone your narrative and showcase your work in a unique format. Whether you want to create a zine about your favorite snacks, your dog, or your artistic journey, the possibilities are endless. Have you ever made a zine? What would yours be called? Let us know in the comments!
Credit: Adobe Photoshop on YouTube
