I had a tutorial with Ben last night where I confessed to my inability of formulating a good project question. He really helped me out and this is where it is at now: I am using written word and design in a discursive way to form a contextual review of literature and thought in this area. He also provided a resource: Designing for Motherhood and when I looked at that I thought that perhaps some of my texts can be excluding. A mother is not always a birth mother. At the same time, the underlying implication in this fanzine is that this “monster” might in many cases actually be post partum depression/psychosis. So I will see what comes up in my feedback.
Design Development
In the previous sketch I had an abstract photo of dark water. There are some different aspects of that particular visual approach. Initially it is a visual echo of Tiamat, that was basically water. However, the publication lacked some analoge attributes. When looking back at my inspiration and moodboard, there are tactile features that my current sketch lacked. It needed a more organic feel. I set up a little printing studio, and did some simple printing with wash cloths. Mainly because they are quite allowing and easy to print textures with (I have never tried before so these *facts* are being constructed as I write them). I had an idea that it would work and I tried it out.
I did not want them so rich in contrast so I actually edited them a bit to be more on a greyscale than just black and white.
Feedback from target audience
I sent my work so far to two women fitting the description of my target audience. Here is a summary of that feedback and my response:
- Missing an introduction on what the fanzine will be about, to help better understand the approach for whats coming.
This thought has occurred to me as well, perhaps just a short paragraph can help introduce the reader better to the content. - Hard to understand that the fragments, small texts, are actually quotes.
This is something I have been struggling a bit with, but will have to simply find a way to underline better. - Full sources are missing.
Completely reasonable feedback, the reference list at the end will be properly written. I am however struggling a bit with how I will reference at the extracts/quotes as this is not an academic production, but I do not wish to deviate from any academic honesty. - An overview of the different disciplines and why the are represented, etc.
Agree, however, I am looking at this project as a starting point for a bigger one. I think I will let this one slip for now… - A bit narrow columns for the quotes, that divides quite long and complex words, further complicating an already quite complicated text.
Haha I knew this was coming, and this is 1000% accurate, but I hissed at bit at first. I guess I just wanted to keep these beautiful thin and tall columns so bad. But it is time, to let go.
This person was very positive in terms of the idea, and let me translate some of her final remarks.
“How interesting is this!? Imagine getting this in your hand. I mean of course you would have read it. And how would one have reacted? I would definitely think about it a lot after reading it. A small snippet from a field you are not used to get in this format at all. Scientific text in a beautiful fanzine. I can see the development of this: people are starting to write reduced versions of their dissertations and handing them out. Can’t wait.”