Zines! Get Unstuck: Workshop with Jeff Phillips

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

A photo zine is most often a hand-made, self-published book that is easy and inexpensive to create using simple techniques and materials you already have. Zines offer exciting potential as an outlet for creative expression, as well as a democratized platform that can help get your work out into the world. Creators at all skill levels will learn to design, construct, and publish a zine, while having a lot of fun during the process!  In the digital age, a photo zine can fulfill the desire to hold, feel, and sense a tangible art object. Photo zines can help raise awareness about your work and expand your audience in a fresh new way. Planning on publishing a photo book? Making a photo zine is a low-cost way to explore your creative options while learning about the bookmaking process.

Over the course of three, two-hour sessions, you will:

• Take a tour of the zine universe, exploring the freshest new work by contemporary zinemakers

• Dive deeper into photo zine design and construction, with easy-to-follow live demonstrations

• Use materials at home to gain hands-on experience making a small book, using popular folding and binding techniques

• Learn how to build a zine using easy and inexpensive software options — or make one using no software at all

• Explore printing and publishing options for your zine, including using your home printer or commercial service

• Learn how distribute and sell your zines, to get them out into the world!

Whether you’re looking for new ideas or just want to get ‘unstuck’ in your practice, zines may be the inspiration you’re looking for. Join us to learn ways you can reinvigorate your stalled or unfinished bodies of work, in contemporary style.

Session I: 9/22 6-8 MT (5-7 PT, 8-10 ET)

• Take a fast-paced tour of the zine universe, exploring the freshest new work by contemporary photographic artists and zinemakers.

• Learn basic photo zine design and construction, with easy-to-follow live demonstrations.

• Get free templates that will jump-start your first zine!

• Free for members

• $15 for non-members

• Unlimited students

• Limited need-based fee waivers available. Please email coordinator@c4fap.org

Sign up for Session one HERE

Session II: 9/29 6-8 MT (5-7 PT, 8-10 ET)

• Explore advanced options for zinemaking: unique papers, alternative printing techniques, containers, and finishing options.

• Learn how to accelerate your zinemaking using easy and cheap software options.

• Understand the pros and cons of online printing options, including Blurb, MagCloud, and other commercial printing services.

Session III: 10/6 6-8 MT (5-7 PT, 8-10 ET)

• Learn how distribute and sell your zines, to get them out into the world

• Next steps: Are you ready for a Photo Book?

• Mini-critique: Show your zines!

Sessions II and III sessions are $40 for members and $60 for non-members

• Limit 14 students

• Limited need-based fee waivers available. Please email coordinator@c4fap.org

Sign up for Sessions II and III HERE

Instructor Jeff Phillips

Jeff Phillips is a photographic artist living and working in Chicago. He is interested in non-traditional ways of sharing work with the world, including zinemaking, digital projection, interactive installations, and experimental methods of image processing. He is a frequent lecturer and workshop presenter at Columbia College Chicago, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Maine Media Workshops, Los Angeles Center of Photography and other arts organizations. Jeff serves on the boards of directors for PhotoNOLA and Filter Photo, and since 2009 has helped produce the week-long Filter Photo Festival. In 2021, he was awarded The Weinberg Memorial Prize for his work focused on using public art for youth empowerment. He holds an M.A. in Photography and a B.A. in Technology from DePaul University in Chicago.