Final evaluation – Graphic communication and the art of Zine

To begin with – I am not a designer, nor a graphic communication person. I rather communicate with approachable 3D designs that can be touched and manipulated. That is primarily why I struggled with this brief. I had some rough ideas of what I want to deliver, based on my day to day interest which basically mean: Common trends on the internet. I am what one can call the ideal consumer of graphic content, but being one, doesn’t necessarily mean to be able to produce one. Furthermore, being able to communicate via internet trends on a daily basis does not make me a good designer whatsoever.

As part of my research I have joined some online groups and forums, and was surprised to see how the Zine scene is very much alive and kicking. Some wonderful creative people are able to still keep this trend alive, and are more than happy to share their knowledge and artistic abilities with everyone who is interested in listening and learning.

My struggle with graphic in general made me chose a relative “easy” way to still deliver a message but without having to use any advanced tools such as Photoshop, or even try and put my illustration skills to the test.

I am happy I could produce my first (and by far, my last) Zine. I had no doubt it will not be an easy thing for me, and although I am not happy with the creative result, the message can still be heard.

To be honest, the thing I enjoyed most throughout this project was to gather the information, to read more about history of communication before the internet, which seems we all forgotten about. I am happy I had a chance to leap to the past and look at it with the technical knowledge I have today.

While Zines are still somehow radical and focus on less mainstream issues, there is still a space for contemporary ideas and use of digital tools to make it even more appealing. I did come across some very “dark” subject and issues that made me feel uncomfortable but it had more to do with the content and not so much with the design.

In conclusion: I still hope to make the world a prettier place rather than dealing with the darker side of art content, both visually and emotionally.

Contextual studies 2 - Interview with Rimma Bobova - Collector of candle holders

Rimma Bobova interview on Youtube (Subtitles in English)

Israeliana - Folklore art of the 19th and 20th century in Israel

Extra reading (To look at):


Bar-Itzhak, Haya, ed. Encyclopedia of Jewish Folklore and Traditions, 2 Vols. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2012. 

Bialer, Y. L. Jewish Life in Art and Tradition, Jerusalem: Hechal Shlomo, 1980. 

Dorson, Richard M. ed. “Material Culture: Folk Crafts, Folk Art, Folk Architecture, Folk Costume.” In: Folklore and Folklife: An introduction, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1972, pp. 233-323. 

Glassie, Henry. The Spirit of Folk Art, New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1989. 

Cohen-Grossman, Grace. Jewish Art, Southport, Conn.: Lauter Levine, 1995. 

Miller, Daniel. “Artefacts and the Meaning of Things”, Companion Encyclopedia of Anthropology, Tim Ingold (ed.) London, 1994, pp. 396-419. 

Oleg Grabar, Oleg. The Meditation of Ornament, Princeton New Jersey 1995. 

Sed-Rajna, Gabrielle. Jewish Art, New York: H. N. Abrams 1997. 

Ungerleider, Joy. Jewish Folk Art from Biblical Days to Modern Times, New York 1986. 

Yerushalmi, Y.H. Haggadah and History, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1974. 



Nir, Yeshayahu. The Bible and the Image: The History of Photography in the Holy Land, 1839-1899, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1985. 

Past Perfect: The Jewish Experience in Early 20th Century Postcards, Sharon Liberman Mintz (Curator), New York: Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1998. 

Berger, Pamela C. The Crescent on the Temple: The Dome of the Rock as Image of the Ancient Jewish Sanctuary, Leiden 2012. 
. 
Vilnay, Z. The Holy Land in Old Prints and Maps, Jerusalem 1965. 


Barkan, Ze'ev. Star of David Album, Jerusalem 2008. 

Eder, Asher. The Star of David: An Ancient Symbol of Integration, Jerusalem 1987. 

Frankel, Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols, Northvale, N.J. 1992. 

Oegema, G.S. The History of the Shield of David: The Birth of a Symbol, Frankfurt a/M, 1996. 


The Jewish Museum, London. Child's Play: Jewish Children's Books & Games from the Past, London: The Jewish Museum, 1997. 

Felton, Anton. Jewish Carpets. A History and Guide, Woodbridge, 1997. 

Ha'Tell, Aaron. Lighting the Way to Freedom: Treasured Hanukkah Menorahs of Early Israel, Jerusalem: Devorah, 2006. 

Sabar, Shalom. “From Sacred Symbol to Keychain: The Khamsa in Jewish and Israeli Societies.” In: Jews at Home: The Domestication of Identity, ed. Simon J. Bronner, London: Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, pp. 140-162. 

Contextual Studies - Reaserch 1

Choosing a theme for my studies was not easy as there are so many disciplines and so many artist who have been influenced my work over the years, however, I believe that at my age, the major influences have been imprinted into us during our early and teenage years. That lead me to think about everything I have been doing and how my traditions and culture played a part in my life in general and in my work.

Being Jewish and living in Israel means LOADS of important dates and ceremonies. One does not need to be religious in order to absorb cultural influences as it is always in the background. Jewish artist throughout the centuries have been active across the world and developed their style while remaining faithful to their Jewish background.

I started by looking online, questioning everyone I know about their Jewish experience. As most influencing artist are no longer with us, I will have to relay on secondary research when coming to deal with their work. However, there are so many artists who are living and creating, preforming and exhibiting their art, all I have to do is look them up!

I started by arranging a view at the West End Synagogue in London in order to trace back old craft making unique Judaica.  I will meet up with the synagogue admin later this week and hopefully come back with insights and good quality photos to use as primary research.

The next thing I did was to contact Bar Ilan University in Israel, and speak to the head of department of Jewish Art. They asked me to email all information, and we are planning to have a conference call later this week to discuss contemporary artists who are influenced by Jewish tradition. I am looking forward to speaking to them and see where it leads me!

Printmaking Reaserch (Links Links Links)

All you need to know about printmaking:

What is printmaking anyway?
Everything you need to know about printmaking

Inspiring Artists/printmakers:

Velvetgoldmine - Textile print
Julia Manning
Angie Hoffmeister
Steve Prince
Textile Artist Clare Burchell Full of colours.
Cool linoleum prints by incolors club

The links above are mostly for me. I came across them while looking for inspiration, but since I already had an idea in mind, and I wanted to explore techniques rather than originality, I am putting them here for future reference. I am hoping to use them for my FMP in some way, as I truly am inspired by each and every one of them. How will I use them? How can I combine so many disciplines into one project? What is an FMP? Gosh, I have no idea yet but I am curious to find out!

Creative Review online

An endless source of visual language: Logos, Posters, Covers and so much more

Putting together the next @illustratedwih #zine (Not mine, of course)

I have started wondering in the darkest corners of Instagram and came across some really cool and helpful ideas. It seems like the underground culture is very much alive an kicking, and Zines are everywhere if you only open your eyes and look around you.

This is one example I really like: Here
If you cannot see it, consider joining Instagram, it is literally a fountain of knowledge and inspiration.

Zine Research (links links links)

The history of Zines is a pure delight to fans of the underground culture. Being one myself, I took the opportunity to read A LOT about zines for my research, but when I had to sit down and try to summarise it onto 2 A4 papers, I realised it is impossible as there is so many interesting things I want to include in my research and not enough space (unless I plan on writing a book).

I will link the information and articles below so feel free to take your time, lay back and enjoy the ride:

Wikipedia zine
Fred Wright The history and characteristics of zines
Julie Bartel's book From A to Zine
Elke Zobl  ZINES - zine history, the zine network, topics, and teaching zines in classrooms
Viral Art zines and magazines