Zines as a form of children’s and adolescents’ сreative activity

Abstract

The article examines what specific features of zines produced by children and adolescents make them a specific form of creative activity. 24 zines have been analysed. Drawing on the analysis of design, content, production techniques, and context of creation, three types of zines are distinguished: training zines, research-based zines and artistic zines. Training zines are made as a result of mastering the basics of creative professions and display the acquired skills. Research-based zines record results of research guided by adults. Artistic zines contain pictures and poems; they are created in a process of free creativity. Possible predecessors of zines are considered: certain types of magazines, hand-made paper toys and wall newspapers. The specificity of zines as a form of children’s and adolescents’ creative activity is postulated due to the combination of certain formal and contextual characteristics. The characteristics are as follows: predetermined context and form but no predetermined content; diversity of forms, themes, and materials; personalized statement that materializes in a publicly visible artifact made in DIY aesthetic; uniqueness of each zine and the singular nature of its creation; recorded results of a certain activity, whether related to training, research, or creative expression.

Keywords: zines, children’s and adolescents’ creative activity, DIY, verbal and visual content, zine production techniques