The zine can be found by clicking here or by clicking on the GIF below.
Client Feedback
Matt gave me some useful feedback that was very encouraging but also highlighted some areas for me to improve.
Overall content.
I have tried to cover several aspects of what you do at One Blue Eye, including the Wasted Art workshops you have recently started. I thought that would tie in well with the cyanotypes I have made, and have added a section encouraging people to share their plastic art with you. If you were to make further zines, you could potentially illustrate each zine with different artists' work throughout as a recurring feature, in the same way that this zine uses my cyanotypes.
Another interactive element I have added is a small quiz. I thought this might particularly engage younger people. What are your thoughts on this section?
This is a great idea and maybe add in something that gets them looking around their homes to identify plastics using the chart on page 10.
Everything that has a gold asterisk is a work in progress.
Front cover - I plan to make a cyanotype of your logo and scan that in. I will make several versions and run them by you to see which you prefer. What else would you like on the front cover?
I have been using a different tag line that might better suit the cover "See waste differently" with...... Then maybe just issue 1?
Photos throughout - these are placeholder images from your social media. I have made them black and white as there will be a limited colour palette of black, white, blue and gold when printed (which I talk more about below). I would ideally like to come down to the workshop at some point to take some photos to replace these. Would you be happy for me to do this?
Yes absolutely!
Correct wording throughout the text.
Are you happy with the overall tone of the text?
Yes.
Are there any bits of wording you would like me to change, add, or remove?
If you could remove the bit about using PP in this one as the DIY element is more about HDPE and LDPE.
Could you change the wording on this bit:
From this: When it's time to throw it away, recycle it, don't just throw it in the bin.
To this: When it's come to the end of its use, recycle it, don't just throw it in the bin.
Safety information and How-To guides.
I have tried to use the Precious Plastic guidelines to create two How-To guides that are simple and safe. Please could you check through these and let me know if anything needs changing?
All good.
Upcoming events on the back cover.
I have left space for a few upcoming events. Do you have any planned events that you would like me to include?
I will be having some events with my CIC - Precious Plastic Kernow, very soon but can update you on that when you come into the workshop if thats ok?
Brand style guide and design.
Fonts - I have not been able to use Nexa Bold and Light due to their cost, but instead have used Nexa Heavy and Extra Light throughout. Are you happy with this?
Yes.
Fonts - Currently, the titles are written in Nexa Heavy. Would you prefer me to use Watermelon instead? I have attached an image showing a spread with both options - what do you think?
I think Watermelon is a bit more fun.
Colours - As the intention is for the zine to be riso-printed (which uses a limited range of inks), I have limited the colour palette to blue and black with gold accents. I chose the gold because it really stands out when paired with blue on the riso, although the exact tone of the colours will likely look a bit different when printed. Are you happy with these colours?
Yes, it's a great choice.
Colours - I have also added a slightly off-white background to each page to replicate the look of recycled paper. Any pure white areas you see (e.g. the background of the Precious Plastic symbols on the "Plastic Basics" page) will match the background when printed.
Printing.
I hope to print some copies of the zine for you using the riso printer, but I am aware that time constraints may prevent this. In either case, I will give you all the files you need for printing on either a riso or standard printer, and will also give you a full digital copy.
General feedback.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
I think this is a very well put together zine with so much detail already in it, great job!
After visiting the workshop to take some photos to replace the placeholders, I incorporated these images (and two for "Workshops" and "Community" at Matt's request) into the zine and sent him a new version, to which he responded, "The images are amazing!! I absolutely love it all!"
Evaluation
At the outset of this project, I struggled to formulate a clear plan. My knowledge of plastic was limited, and I lacked any understanding of the recycling process. It was at this point that I recognised the core issue I needed to address: the public’s general lack of awareness regarding plastic recycling. In consultation with the client, I proposed creating a small zine that would provide a basic introduction to One Blue Eye, explaining its mission, significance, and ways the public could get involved. I also suggested including practical guides to encourage people to safely melt and repurpose plastic at home.
To ensure accuracy in the safety information provided, I conducted research on the plastic recycling process. My primary resource was Precious Plastic, the same organisation that had supported the client in establishing One Blue Eye. Given that these resources were open-source, the client requested that I incorporate certain elements into the zine. I reviewed each starter kit developed by Precious Plastic, identifying a range of potentially useful resources. The most pertinent materials related to identifying different types of plastic and understanding the associated safety concerns of melting them. However, much of this information was too technical for the general public, as most individuals lack the facilities to recycle all types of plastic. Consequently, I focused on simplifying the content to better suit the needs of the audience.
In addition to understanding the recycling process, I needed to deepen my knowledge of the extent of plastic pollution. My research returned a wealth of data, particularly concerning the impact of plastic waste on marine life. Recognising that imagery of animals can evoke emotional responses and prompt action, I decided to centre the artistic elements of the zine around sea life.
To integrate my expertise in analogue and alternative photography, I chose to illustrate the zine with a series of plastic-based cyanotypes, a concept that the client was enthusiastic about. I selected cyanotypes because they employ relatively safe chemicals with a minimal environmental footprint compared to other processes. Aligning with the eco-friendly ethos of One Blue Eye was a priority in every aspect of the zine’s design. The cyanotypes were straightforward to produce, as I used my own plastic waste – primarily bottles and bags – to create marine animal shapes. This process yielded intriguing silhouettes, which I scanned in and later refined using ProCreate, adding a layer of gold illustrations. The result was a series of enchanting cyanotypes that effectively spark conversation about the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans.
Although I initially hoped to print a large cyanotype on a sheet of plastic, my attempts to coat the plastic with a suitable substrate for the cyanotype chemistry were unsuccessful, as the image simply washed off. I am keen to explore alternative methods in the future to achieve this outcome.
The process of designing the zine proved to be enjoyable, particularly as the client provided a style guide to ensure consistency with the brand’s image. However, I encountered some challenges when the prescribed fonts were unavailable. I was able to locate free versions of the same typeface, albeit with slightly different weightings, which the client approved. Additionally, I had a limited colour palette that deviated slightly from the style guide, as I aimed to print the zines on a Riso printer, which uses specific inks. The client supported this adjustment, as using the eco-friendly Riso printer aligned with the ethos of One Blue Eye.
Working within a restricted colour palette of black, blue, and gold, I knew I had to meticulously edit the photos to enhance detail. I converted all images to black and white and used colour adjustments and layer masks to highlight specific areas in blue and gold, with each colour on a separate layer in preparation for Riso printing. This approach ensured visual continuity throughout the zine.
The concept of layered colour also informed the simple illustrations I included throughout the zine. Some of these drawings convey statistics, others visually represent the work of One Blue Eye, and some simply add a touch of whimsy.
To increase reader engagement, I incorporated interactive elements into the zine. I designed a small quiz that posed questions based on plastic pollution and recycling facts presented earlier in the zine. I also noted that the client had recently begun hosting ‘Wasted Art’ workshops, where participants could melt plastic and create remarkable works of art. Drawing a connection between these workshops and my plastic-inspired cyanotypes, I included a section in the zine encouraging readers to share their plastic art creations with One Blue Eye on social media. I suggested to the client that if he wishes to produce future editions of the zine, this sharing of artwork could become a recurring feature, with each issue showcasing a different artist’s plastic-based work. The client was receptive to this idea.
The client also requested an additional interactive component to encourage readers to practise identifying different types of plastic. I created a scavenger hunt-style activity, listing various categories of plastic and inviting readers to find an example from each group to complete their list. This feature was well received by the client.
Throughout the project, communication with the client proved challenging, as he was slow to respond to emails, and I found it difficult to be assertive in following up. These communication issues caused delays in the zine’s creation. The client also requested that a list of upcoming events be included in the zine, but as these events had not yet been organised, we mutually agreed to omit them for the time being. Instead, I added a QR code linking to the client’s mailing list. Despite the project extending beyond my initial deadline, the client expressed eagerness to continue collaborating once the events are finalised. We plan to print a run of zines for distribution when the events are ready to be added, and I have provided the client with a digital copy of the zine in its current edition instead of printing it prematurely to conserve paper. I am delighted that the client is so pleased with my work that he wishes to incorporate it into his business, and I look forward to future collaborations.
In conclusion, this project provided valuable experience in combining research, artistic expression, and practical design to create a meaningful resource. Through careful planning, effective collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability, I was able to produce a zine that not only met the client’s needs but also contributed to raising public awareness about plastic recycling and pollution.
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