Distribution is a key factor in many of the design decisions I have made thus far. Having refined the design system somewhat, I was advised to experiment with material and printing methods to consider more closely how I would get this publication into the world.
Once I came upon my current accordion fold configuration through various iterations, I settled on it as the closed form factor of the publication suits a number of my aims. It’s small, which recognises the limited space designated to free publications in the kind of places I hoped would stock it. Also, I feel this format allows the story to naturally co-exist with other materials and mediums. It can serve as a bookmark, giving it extended purpose and putting it in direct physical contact with other cultural material (maybe this is a bit of a stretch!)
Long-term, I’m thinking a possible method of distribution could be including the publication in orders of another magazine as a freebie. A way of getting it into the hands of a reader who would not seek out a video game zine because based on the codified ideas that exist in the mainstream, they think it isn’t for them (it is.)
I was conscious of the fact that a flyer-like format may lend an air of disposability to each issue, which prompted my interest in using a slightly heavier paper stock than I had in my initial experiments. This way, a copy of the zine collected at a venue such as a gallery or shop could be considered a more hardy base, from which lighter and more disposable copies can be produced. The choice of 120gsm paper seemed to get a mixed reaction in tutorials etc. I spent an afternoon sampling different paper stocks and I stand by my decision for the time being.
I was drawn to risograph printing both for its aesthetic qualities and the ability to produce high volume from a single master. Having abandoned using coloured paper due to the photocopying issue, I instead opted to set the zine’s design in black and print everything using a coloured ink. My idea is that each issue will be printed in a different colour, contributing to some sense of collectability.
I went ahead, perhaps pre-emptively, and printed the first issue. It felt important to trial the method before committing to it for future issues. Generally I’m happy with the look of the dithered images riso printed and the feel of the paper stock. Holding something physical in my hands has contributed a positive psychological push that will help me to take this forward.
I did decide some slight alterations I wanted to make. Namely, the guidelines appear too heavy so in subsequent iterations I will lighten them. There is also a sense that the current design could pay better attention to hierarchy, particularly with regards to the front cover.
MagCulture agreed to take a small allocation in their free publications section. It was always important to me that this project existed outside of the confines of the classroom or the bottom of my bag, even as it is ongoing and I continue to make design iterations.