Compilation and Editing

When everyone had finished their individual pages we collated them into one photoshop document (separated into the relevant pages), and then separated the colour and black layers. It took longer than anticipated and so unfortunately we were unable to print on the initial day. However, we had planned for this eventuality so we made ourselves a week early deadline so that if there was a problem there would be a chance to print the next week.

After this document was made, we printed a master copy of each individual sheet (not double-sided) ready to use in the risograph machine next week. We also took this opportunity to check for obvious mistakes in spelling.

We have decided to print the cover in red/black and the contents in blue/black and to print onto newsprint which will need to be cut in preparation for printing next week. We are very prepared now!

About the Authors page

It was my job to write an introductory page to the newspaper that would be the first page a reader would see (after the cover) - as with many modern magazines, I wanted to include some information about us, the creators, so we could connect more to the audience.

Firstly I asked for a short introduction and maybe a humorous fact or statement from each of the creators. I then made a simple icon to show each person and added the speech bubble (which ties in with our theme of comics). Finally I included a short explanation of the magazine's contents so that the reader would understand what kind of publication they had.

This is what my finished page will be like (perhaps a different colour as we haven't decided yet), I wanted to keep the layout simple yet fun and appealing:

Upcoming Events

I have created an 'Upcoming Events' page for readers who are interested in the content of our publication and want to attend these kind of events. It includes six small to large scale events happening from May to November in 2017 as well as 'Shake Bristol' who organize small local events which can be easier for people to attend.

I decided this page needed no images because I included information about each event and didn't want to compromise the text layout by including pictures. To include colour, I made some shaded background shapes, inspired by some of the newspaper examples I researched in the first weeks of the project.

My finished page will look like this:

Making a 'How-to' Page

One other page I made is the 'How to make a Zine' Page, a very simple, easy to follow diagram explaining how to make your own folded zine. I chose this subject because it fits in with our subject of comics and self-made publications.

I began by looking at explanatory diagrams that have been hand drawn because I like the loose feel it gives to the piece. Pinterest was very useful for this as I could collect the images I found very easily.

The block colours of the yellow drawing make it very graphic and clear which is appealing, however, I wanted to include a little more information about what a zine is (for someone who didn't know). From looking at these images, I decided to include clear images with a small amount of simple text to help explain each step. I also thought that 6 steps would be a good number considering page size and minimum steps required to make a zine.

My finished page will look like this:

Contacting the Subject

Since one of my pages is about the True Believers Comic Fair, I contacted Stuart Mulrain who runs the event, and asked if I could use their logo and photos from their website for my article. He was very helpful and gave me full permission as long as I credit the photographer (Amy Griffin)

I then selected the photographs I wanted to use and put them into the layout, along with the article I had written already. I found it difficult to decide on a layout that worked so I spent some time rearranging my design and the photographs. My finished page will look like this:

Idea Board

We made an ideas board compiling our inspirations and layout ideas. Our paper will have 8 pages including a pullout, double-sided poster in the middle. It will be printed on the risograph so we have to consider this when designing colours. 

We think the colour scheme will be black plus one or more other colours (the risograph can only print a two-coloured image, available colours are: black, neon pink, yellow, red and blue) but this is not a final decision.

The content will be:

-an article about the Bristol Comic and Zine Fair 

-an article about London MCM

-reviews of products bought at these conventions

-an article about upcoming True Believers

-summaries of similar upcoming events

-a DIY page on how to make a small item

-a recipe page

-a double-sided, pull-out poster

Comic Conventions

We have decided that the theme of our newspaper will be comics and art festivals as they are events that our team love to attend. I will be doing my single page on True Believers (4.2.17), a small comic festival held in Cheltenham each year as our audience (fellow students) will be able to easily attend if interested.

I am also going to make a page on other similar events happening nearby, these will include:

1. DIY Cultures (London) ~may

Showcasing zines and DIY events with an emphasis on activisim and representation of black and POC issues and stories.

2. ELCAF (East London Comics & Art Festival) ~jun

Which focuses on alternative comics as well as DIY printing opportunities. It is also held at a different location each year.

3. Bristol Comic Expo ~aug

A more mainstream convention with cosplay competitions but also a focus on small comic publishers

4. Safari Festival (London) ~aug

Run by Breakdown Press and selling a range of new wave and alternative comic art. (Will have to check whether or not this is a yearly event or one-off)

5. Leeds Zine Fair ~sept

Vending vegan food as well as a range of DIY activities at the Left Bank venue. Also has free entry.

6. Thought Bubble (Leeds) ~nov

The UK's largest event of its kind, two days including extra events around the convention (however, is the most expensive of the cons I am looking at). Showing both largely-read and alternative comics.

also: Shake Bristol

Not a convention but do organize small events in and around Bristol to do with alternative comics and zines.