What's a zine, and why would I want to make one? This three-hour, generative zine-making workshop is broken down into three sections. We'll start with a solid introduction to zines and zine culture: What they are, where they came from, and why people make them. Then we'll explore dozens of examples of zines collected from around the world. As we discuss the wild diversity of topics, layouts, and printing styles seen in modern zines, we'll find inspiration for our own creative work. In the last part of the class, we'll brainstorm ideas for planning and creating our own zines, then learn how to design, format, print, and distribute our work in this uniquely liberating format.

A zine (pronounced "zeen," like the last syllable in "magazine") is a self-published, non-commercial work of written and/or visual art typically produced and distributed in limited batches. In other words, it's a small, handmade booklet that you design, print, and share or sell yourself---without the hassle of waiting on approval from publishers or institutions. Zines and zine culture evolved alongside DIY punk culture, with a long history of engaging marginalized communities and empowering individuals to share their voices on their own terms.

Zines are incredibly fun to make, cheap to design and print, and easy to distribute. The beauty of this form is its freedom: There are no limits to what you can put in a zine and no rules about the "correct" way to make one. Have you been itching to create something using both your brain and your hands? Want to learn an easy way to share your work with your community? Are you sick of submitting your writing to the internet abyss and never knowing if it was consumed or appreciated? Are you on a budget but have something to say? Join us on Saturday and design your first zine! No experience necessary.