SELF BRANDING
ZINE

This small booklet was designed, collated, scored, folded and stitched within 3 days. If a business card is the handshake hello, then this zine is the handshake goodbye, leaving the viewer with a small cross section of my work.

Overview

I first found out what a zine was when I was in Year 10. Since then, i have always liked the idea of zines and have always wanted to create my own that featured a small cross section of my work. I promised myself that I would one day make one.

Fast forward to late 2024, finishing up the Advanced Diploma. We needed to collate our work together, ready to show industry, and I figured that this was the perfect opportunity to make good on my promise.

I believe that a zine can still be authentic and handmade, while also having a polished and refined look to it.

My name is Ben.

What follows is a small collection of my work from the last two years studying at TAFE SA.

Thank you for picking this up.

Both the labels and outer packaging was created with a brutalist aesthetic in mind. While shooting at night, I often find myself around industrial areas and petrol stations, all of which have straight utilitarian lines and forms within the environment.

This packaging uses the same industrial visual language as shipping labels and fuel bowsers, such as the rigidity of shape and regulatory symbols, yet houses something that is used in artistic expression.

“If you can learn to use 3D software, it will really add some shine to your work” — LP

1 in 5 Australians are affected by mental illness annually, yet many don’t seek help because of stigma.
This design is based on a scintillating grid illusion that was discovered in the 90’s and is a variation of the Hermann Grid. The use of an optical illusion was used to illustrate the fact that even though something is not easily visible, doesn’t make it is any less real.

“Sometimes it’s the most structured briefs that will give you the most freedom” — LM

The visual approach to both advertising and wine labels invites the viewer to “Experience the colours of the Barossa”, by utilising grainy, textual, and cropped imagery to convey a sense of intimacy and movement.

“I’m interested to see how you will go with this one, Benny Boy” — HA

Phone related distractions are the number one cause of crashes among 17 to 25 year olds on Australia’s roads. Through target market research and speaking to the public, it was discovered that messaging was one of the highest rated forms of distraction.
By using familiar imagery, this advertisement tells drivers that distractions are not always visual and reminds drivers of a solution to keep their mind clear and on task.

"Inspiration is all around you, all you have to do is look." - TS

From the physical world, transferred to the digital space, and then brought back into the physical again, these stenciled typeface stickers disintegrate and change during creation and application.

“You need to back yourself, and this does just that... It is unapologetically you” — EC

The contents pulled upon some of the projects from TAFE SA that I am the most proud of. Each project features a part of my portfolio that taught me something new.

A limited run was created of 30, with each booklet featured a sticker under "Waymouth Sans". Each sticker created by using a stencil, which slowly broke apart and disintegrated, creating a new and unique sticker with each application.

Process

The process behind this zine called upon knowledge gained while working at Finsbury Green. Layout was developed and modified with advice from lecturers at TAFE SA, with things that they have said during my study under them on each page.

Printed at Officeworks for efficiency and ease of access, the body and cover stock (which was left over from the N/A Invites, and graciously donated by an industry speaker) were scored, folded, and saddle stitched by hand.

The contents pulled upon some of the projects from TAFE SA that I am the most proud of. Each project features a part of my portfolio that taught me something new.

Scoring, cutting, trimming booklets - December 2024

Applying stickers and packing - December 2024

PREV: N/A Invite

NEXT: Clear Mind, Clear Sight

SELF BRANDING ZINE

Overview

Process

SELF BRANDING
ZINE