At the start of the project, Matt from One Blue Eye provided a document outlining the company's branding and style guide. When designing the zine, it was important to adhere as closely as possible to these guidelines, although I did make some minor deviations with the client's approval.
One Blue Eye Logo
For the front cover, I aimed to prominently feature the logo, requiring me to determine the most effective and engaging style. In Photoshop, I explored several variations, beginning with the basic blue logo shown below in Figure 7 and an inverted version in Figure 8. Progressing from these, I transformed the logo into a stamp format, introducing rough edges to create a more artisanal aesthetic, as depicted in Figure 9. Although this version seemed suitable for Riso printing, I preferred the cleaner lines of the initial logos as they look more professional.
I also created similar "clean" and "stamp" variations of the logo with the tagline, even integrating a stock photo in one instance (Figure 11). This photo version was visually striking, but I anticipated challenges with sourcing my own photo to replace the stock image, and with reproducing a photo on the Riso, given its colour limitations. Ultimately, I decided that the logo with the tagline was overly complex for the zine's front cover, opting instead for the simpler logo variations.
As I progressed with my cyanotypes, I contemplated how the logo might appear using the same technique. As detailed in my "Artwork" post, I created standard and inverted cyanotype logos (Figures 13 and 14), which I then scanned. To add visual interest to the inverted logo, I used a layer mask and textured brush in Photoshop to include a rough ring of the cyanotype background. I further experimented with the wet cyanotype method, producing the detailed and textured logo shown in Figure 15. After presenting all three cyanotype versions to the client, his preference was for the final image, which I will use moving forward.
Colours
To create these initial logo variations, I used the shade of blue specified in the style guide to complement the One Blue Eye name and oceanic theme. However, the Riso printer uses specific inks (Figure 16, below) that do not exactly match the shades listed in the guide (Mount Pleasant Eco Park, 2022). Consequently, my cyanotypes will be printed in a slightly different tone from the original prints, though they will remain consistent with each other. To keep printing costs down, I opted for three ink colours: blue, black, and metallic gold, which the client approved.
Throughout the zine, I have included black, blue, and yellow-gold elements in the cyanotypes, drawings, and photographs (Figure 19, below). Each colour is on a separate layer in preparation for Riso-printing, and while the shades used may not match the Riso inks exactly, they will be uniform once printed. If the client chooses to use a standard printer, the colours will remain as they are, with a greater tonal range. The image below also shows an off-white background colour, which I have added to mimic the warmer tone of the recycled paper we will print on.
Typeface and Font
The One Blue Eye style guide specifies Watermelon as the typeface for occasional use in headings and Nexa as the primary typeface, with Nexa Light and Nexa Bold as the key fonts. I was able to find Watermelon easily (Izzylikestodoodle, 2019), but the two Nexa fonts are premium ones (Fontfabric, 2020) and, while trial versions are available, they do not support all characters or combinations, such as punctuation marks like brackets or percentages or letter combinations like "fi". I found free versions of Nexa Extra Light and Nexa Heavy (Fontfabric, 2023), which are the same typeface but with different weights. Comparisons of all the fonts are shown below in Figure 20. Initially, I tried replacing only the affected text by mixing the fonts for those sections, but the difference was noticeable. Therefore, I decided to use just the alternative fonts consistently for better continuity. The client has approved this approach.
I also asked the client whether he would prefer the use of Nexa Heavy or Watermelon for the section titles throughout the zine, providing him with examples of each (Figure 21). He chose Watermelon, which is smaller than Nexa at the same font size, so I also had to change the size and layout of the text to ensure everything fit well while remaining legible (Figure 22). These screenshots also show the changes I made when the client asked me to remove PP from the recommended plastics due to its high melting temperature.
The zine is designed to be printed as an A5 booklet, so I have sized the text accordingly. All instances of Watermelon, except on the front cover, are set at size 30. Similarly, all instances of Nexa, except for the quiz answers, are set at size 14. This approach ensures uniformity and professionalism throughout the zine.
The majority of the text is centrally aligned. This choice is deliberate, as centred text often creates a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere, reflecting the friendly and approachable ethos of One Blue Eye. Furthermore, the balance and symmetry of the centred text enhance visual appeal and contribute to the zine's overall artistic style.
Interactive Elements
Using the information gathered from my research, I developed two how-to guides demonstrating how to safely melt plastic using a panini press and an iron (Figures 23 and 24, below). Each guide includes details on the type of plastic and its RIC number, relevant safety information, and a list of necessary equipment. To emphasise the importance of not burning plastic, the "Golden Rule" is highlighted in gold above the images. On the opposite page, I included some suggestions for projects readers could create using this technique, aiming to inspire creativity without being overly prescriptive. The instructions are clear and concise, using simple language to ensure accessibility.
The client wanted to include an activity to encourage readers to identify different types of plastic in their homes. To achieve this, I created a scavenger hunt that lists the various types of plastic and provides space for readers to record their findings for each category (Figure 25, below). This simple activity promotes reader engagement and encourages them to reflect on their everyday use of plastic.
Inspired by the client's "Wasted Art" workshops advertised on social media, I decided to include a section inviting readers to create plastic art and share it with One Blue Eye, as shown in Figure 26. While this first issue of the zine features my cyanotype illustrations, I wanted to create an opportunity for ongoing engagement. If the client wishes to continue this project with additional zines in the future, each could feature different artists' plastic-inspired work. By suggesting potential projects, readers interested in participating but unsure where to start may feel inspired to join a workshop or experiment with melting plastic at home to create their own art. They can share their creations via social media and the OneBlueEyeArt hashtag, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Additionally, I wrote a short quiz with questions about information contained in the zine (Figure 26), which could become a regular feature in future issues. This aims to engage younger readers while ensuring the tone is not overly childish.
Events
The client has recently established Precious Plastic Kernow CIC, a Community Interest Company that has been approved for a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. As part of this initiative, One Blue Eye will host a series of events, which will be listed on the back of the zine. However, the details of these events have yet to be confirmed, so the client and I have agreed to include a QR code linking to his mailing list for the time being. Once my deadline has passed and the client has finalised the event details through his CIC, we will update the events section of the zine and produce a full run with the Riso printer. Although the Riso prints will not be ready until after my submission date, I am encouraged by the client's enthusiasm to use my work and am eager to collaborate with him on this project beyond the completion of my degree.
Summary
The design elements of the zine come together to form a cohesive and imaginative publication that effectively addresses the issues of plastic pollution while engaging the reader. The zine encourages readers to adopt recycling and creative reuse of plastic materials. By integrating photographs, drawings, and cyanotypes, I have developed a diverse range of visually compelling compositions that enhance the message. The chosen colour scheme, restricted to shades of blue, black, and metallic gold, along with the standardised text format, ensures readability and aligns closely with the One Blue Eye style guide, except for a few approved deviations.
The friendly ethos of One Blue Eye is embodied in the tone, informal formatting, and whimsical artwork. The consistent use of typefaces, including Watermelon for headings and alternative Nexa fonts, ensures uniformity while accommodating practical constraints. Moreover, the central alignment of text contributes to a contemporary and approachable aesthetic, reflecting the organisation's community-focused mission.
The zine's content is crafted to concisely explain the mission and activities of One Blue Eye, supported by interactive elements such as scavenger hunts and creative challenges that invite readers to explore the possibilities of recycling plastic at home. The quiz, based on the zine's content, aims to attract a younger audience without alienating more mature readers, fostering a sense of involvement. These interactive elements, combined with the list of upcoming events, emphasise One Blue Eye's commitment to ongoing community engagement.
Overall, the zine successfully combines artistic expression with educational content, creating an engaging resource that inspires readers to reconsider their relationship with plastic and explore sustainable practices.
References
Fontfabric (2020) Download: Nexa Font Family - at FontfabricTM, Fontfabric. Available at: https://www.fontfabric.com/fonts/nexa/ (Accessed: 25 January 2024).
Fontfabric (2023) Nexa Font, Dafont. Available at: https://www.dafont.com/nexa.font (Accessed: 25 January 2024).
Izzylikestodoodle (2019) Watermelon bold font, Be Fonts. Available at: https://befonts.com/watermelon-bold-font.html (Accessed: 25 January 2024).
Mount Pleasant Eco Park (2022) Print Service, Mount Pleasant Eco Park. Available at: https://www.mpecopark.co.uk/roots-press/print-service/ (Accessed: 27 July 2024).
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