The initial brief specifies that a publication is to be produced, but within this there are a range of possible options:
Zine
Discussions after the initial briefing revealed that the publication had initially been envisioned as a zine. Traditionally in zine culture, a zine is defined as 'a small, self-published, accessible work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via low cost means and often folded and stapled'. The production cost of this project will be as low as possible as it is entirely self-funded, and only 100 copies would be printed and distributed, placing the publication within the realm of zine culture.
Zine
Discussions after the initial briefing revealed that the publication had initially been envisioned as a zine. Traditionally in zine culture, a zine is defined as 'a small, self-published, accessible work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via low cost means and often folded and stapled'. The production cost of this project will be as low as possible as it is entirely self-funded, and only 100 copies would be printed and distributed, placing the publication within the realm of zine culture.
Zines by nature are the most accessible form of publication to an audience as they are distributed at low prices. One of the main aims of the project is to increase accessibility to the arts and a zine would allow a greater audience reach.
Magazine
The size of the publication would depend solely on the number of submission that are received and selected for print. If a large number of submissions are selected for print then the format of the publication can be changed. Also, if the publication is more than 30 spreads the option of saddle stitching will no longer be viable, and so different binding methods would have to be explored. This would place the publication out of traditional zine culture and therefore could not be advertised as such.
A magazine could bring many advantages to the project. It would allow the publication to be stocked in commercial book shops as apposed to simply at zine fairs, and also a greater number of submissions could be printed, representing a larger number of artists, which is the ultimate goal for the project.
However, creating a more commercial magazine with professional binding, and therefore a higher production cost, would also require the publication to be distributed at a higher price in order to break even economically. The more expensive the product is, the less accessible it will be to an audience, and therefore it would not adhere to the ethos of the collective.
Publication Pack
In order to publish as many artists as possible, another production option would be to create a publication pack. This could include a zine and a series of other printed ephemera such as posters, fold-out's, postcards and additional smaller zines, collected together and distributed as a bundle. This would create more opportunities for independent artists to showcase their work through the project, but would also potentially mean that the publication would be less saleable in a commercial book shop.
Publication Pack
In order to publish as many artists as possible, another production option would be to create a publication pack. This could include a zine and a series of other printed ephemera such as posters, fold-out's, postcards and additional smaller zines, collected together and distributed as a bundle. This would create more opportunities for independent artists to showcase their work through the project, but would also potentially mean that the publication would be less saleable in a commercial book shop.
From an initial group discussion it was decided that to stay true to the platform that the collective was initially inspired to make, the publication should remain as close as possible to the definition of a traditional zine. However, a well produced and professionally bound publication can still fall under the label of a zine if it is readily accessible to an audience and distributed at a low cost. Therefore, should a large number of submissions be selected, perfect binding would be the most viable binding method.
Although the production cost for this may be higher than a traditional zine, production values would be relative to the project, and as both the collective and this project are not-for-profit, the extra cost of production could be regained through the sale of additional merchandise and related products.
Although the production cost for this may be higher than a traditional zine, production values would be relative to the project, and as both the collective and this project are not-for-profit, the extra cost of production could be regained through the sale of additional merchandise and related products.