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Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 16 The Fall
of Rome
The Brief
Design and produce a conceptual zine based on the city of
Rome.
Brief Type
Self-Initiated.
Context & Target Audience
After a recent trip to Rome I felt really inspired by the black
and white photographs I had taken highlighting the light dark of
the city, both literally and metaphorically.
I wanted to capture this as a conceptual zine telling a story
targeting it at fans of travelling, history, architecture,
photography and print.
Even though the tone is serious, compelling and enticing, the
story will be relayed through a narrative of poetry accompanying
the photography.
The poem chosen is titled, The Fall of Rome by W. H. Arden, and
tells the story of Caesars reign literally, showing elements of
both ancient and modern day Rome including reign, bureaucracy and
question.
Considerations
As a zine is being produced, many elements need to be taken into
account, such as grid, layout, overall aesthetic, tone, typography,
photography and content.
As this is a conceptual zine, it is important it has an
underpinning idea and telling a compelling story from start to
finish to keep the audience engaged.
Solution
The Fall of Rome zine tells the story of Cesears reign through
photography and poetry, exploring both modern and ancient Rome.
Evaluation
I really enjoyed this brief, as it allowed me to experiment with
a different aesthetic, tone and layout to that I usually chose to
work with, allowing me to push my ideas more and be more
conceptual. I feel that even though this a small brief, I have
gained a lot through it in terms of primary research, additional
photography skills and the digital print process allowing for me to
apply these in the future. Furthermore, I have really enjoyed using
my own photography within my work, allowing for a different
aesthetic whilst showing passion for the topic at hand.
1/7
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Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 16 The Fall
of Rome
The City of Rome
Whilst I was in Rome I began exploring the city through
photography being inspired by the architecture, shadows and history
surrounding the city.
Research: Contextual Influence
2/7
The piers are pummelled by the waves;In a lonely field the
rainLashes an abandoned train;Outlaws fill the mountain caves.
Fantastic grow the evening gowns;Agents of the Fisc
pursueAbsconding tax-defaulters throughThe sewers of provincial
towns.
Private rites of magic sendThe temple prostitutes to sleep;All
the literati keepAn imaginary friend.
Cerebrotonic Cato mayExtol the Ancient Disciplines,
But the muscle-bound MarinesMutiny for food and pay.
Caesars double-bed is warmAs an unimportant clerkWrites I DO NOT
LIKE MY WORKOn a pink official form.
Unendowed with wealth or pity,Little birds with scarlet
legs,Sitting on their speckled eggs,Eye each flu-infected city.
Altogether elsewhere, vastHerds of reindeer move acrossMiles and
miles of golden moss,Silently and very fast.
The Fall of Rome by W.H. Arden.
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Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 16 The Fall
of Rome Research: Aesthetic Influence
Photography Zines
I began looking into photography zines in particular, looking at
the way they use imagery, layout and minimal text to tell a story
and evoke emotion and feeling.
3/7
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Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 16 The Fall
of Rome Development
4/7
Layout and Grid
Each double spread has been designed to various structures
within a grid, allowing for a variety of layouts whilst still
remaining visually consistent throughout the zine.
Elements of the poem have been placed throughout te double page
spreads in the same manner, for consistent diversity.
Printing and Binding
The zines were laser printed on white 90gsm stock, and 120gsm
tracing paper for several page overlays. Not only easy to print in
this manner, this also saves costs printing on larger scales.
Each zine is saddle-stitched at both the top and bottom of the
spine for strength and a subtle form of binding, allowing the
imagery and story to remain the focus of the zine.
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Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 16 The Fall
of Rome Outcome: Cover and Layout Design
5/7
Cover
The front cover of the zine is very minimal, simply stating the
title and showcasing a black and white photograph of the entrance
to ancient Rome. The arch way shown symbolises the new and old
cities.
Layout and Overlays
The layout for the zine is created from around 5 different
templates created to showcase the photography at its finest whilst
allowing for a clean and minimal layout.
On certain spreads, additional translucent paper has been added
with printed quotes, adding further narrative, tone and emphasis to
both the poetry, story and the photography.
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Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 16 The Fall
of Rome Outcome: Layout Design
6/7
Photography
Black and white photography has been used throughout the zine to
add depth, tone and emotion to the narrative, whilst creating a
zine which is easily and cheaply reproducible.
All of the imagery used throughout the zine is my own allowing
for me to select and manipulate the images as needed. The
photography was selected for use in the zine due to showcasing and
portraying the different areas, cultures and history of Rome
corresponding with the poem chosen also.
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Danielle Muntyan OUGD603 Extended Practice Brief # 16 The Fall
of Rome Outcome: Layout Design
7/7
Photography Selection
All of the imagery used throughout the zine is my own allowing
for me to select and manipulate the images as needed. The
photography was selected for use in the zine due to showcasing and
portraying the different areas, cultures and history of Rome
corresponding with the poem chosen also.
