TAKE IT FROM ME
instructional zine design
TAKE IT FROM ME
Take it From Me is an instructional zine that highlights the 10 most important lessons I have learned throughout my teenage years. In this school project, I was tasked to create a zine that provides instruction related to a topic of my choice.
Brainstorming
This project began as a wellness zine for “10 Tips to Become Your Best Self!” At the time, I was feeling unsatisfied with the project and I knew it needed something more. As I created my first few drafts, I began to realize that all these “tips” related to direct experiences I had in my own life. Thus the idea was born: Take it From Me. I began this project by reflecting on the most important messages I wanted to convey in my writing. In order to make sure I covered everything I wanted to write about, I brainstormed about my life and my likes/dislikes to find out what experiences have shaped me into who I am today.
Color
Once I finalized and reviewed my writing, I toyed with several color palettes until I found one that felt personal to my experiences. As a child, my “assigned color” with my siblings was pink, but in recent years, I have developed an appreciation for emerald green and neutral colors. The combination of these colors showcases the transition that has occurred throughout my teenage years from girl to woman.
Type
I strived for the typography of this zine to be welcoming and inviting for viewers to reflect on what they can apply to their own lives. The subtitles, italicized in a sans serif font, are eye-catching yet comforting.
Layout
After detailing my experiences, I created retro illustrations on Procreate that bring about a childlike nostalgia, along with messages that are mature and direct. Once I developed my illustrations and text, I created a 12 page draft on Adobe Illustrator, editing the format and shapes to create a fluid interaction between text and imagery. My goal was to create balance with color, text and illustration so that it felt natural and not overwhelming to the eye.
