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Applications in Climate & Society, Spring 2025

Zine workshop led by Zine Librarian Jenna Freedman. Andrew J Kruczkiewicz

Logistics

One page zine

written and illustrated instructions for creating a pamphlet out of a single sheet of paper

  1. start with paper laid flat
  2. fold in half, long edge to long edge
  3. open flat
  4. fold in half, short edge to short edge
  5. while folded short edge to short edge, cut from the center to the crease
  6. push into the fold, so that the pages squish together
  7. fold into a booklet

This zine-making technique will challenge some people. Be patient with yourself if it's confusing. If it comes easy to you, help a classmate.

Zine Prompts

  • What does a 2040 world look like?
    • How do we get there as a global community?
    • How will your career path support this vision?
  • A goal for the future, supported by actions to achieve it
    • How do you feel about your goal/plan
  • What would you give up for the planet?
    • online shopping
    • flying
    • AI
  • Climate dream job and how you get there

Page Content Suggestions

  1. Cover: drawing or map of subject
  2. Introduction: I usually write this at the end, it includes
    1. Content context
    2. Fair use, Creative Commons license, copyright statement, other permissions
    3. Metadata: name, date, place of publication, etc.
  3. 1st person statement, rant, or manifesto
  4. Something graphic--even if you think you can't draw! Stick figures are awesome
  5. Page 4, continued

    two pages of a zine. first, handrwitten under a vinyl B: I first met Bad Bad Leroy when she was just a couple of weeks old. [drawing of a small circle with ears and a tail captioned "actual size." Next page, a vinyl A, followed by handwritten "When I brough home on the subway when she was 12 weeks old, she screamed her tiny head off." Sticker of a brown tabby's face with MROW next to it.

     
  6. Pencil game: maze, crossword puzzle, word finder, quiz, survey, matching
  7. Recipe
  8. Credits, playlist, Instagram captions literature review

Other Zine Elements to Consider

Essay * Poem * Review * Drawing * Collage * Personality Quiz * Crossword Puzzle * Playlist * Top Ten List * Likes/Dislikes * How To * Comic * Rant * Blank Space * Art * Handwriting * Typewriting * Design Software * Stick Figures

Genre

  • personal
  • political
  • art
  • literary
  • split
  • compilation
  • minicomics
  • DIY

Digital Zine Resources

Use slides (Google, Powerpoint, Cryptpad, etc.). Pro-tip: change the dimensions of the slide to 8.5 tall x 5.5 wide. 

Use Canva: same thing. Their booklet default is sized for non-US sized paper, so also set the dimensions to 8.5 tall x 5.5 wide or you'll end up with annoying margins at the top and bottom.

Zine templates for Indesign, Word, and pdf

Online platforms: I recommend the Internet Archive for its accessibility features. https://archive.org/create