My final project from Writing 101 (Word Art: Composing with Images) at Duke University. I learned the basics of Photoshop and created a zine called "On the Bright Side," reflective of my experiences in quarantine as of April 2020.
On the Bright Side
In our daily lives, both prior to the disruption caused by COVID-19 and following, the simplest parts of humanity have been glossed over in favor of progress. College students are thrust into an endless scavenger hunt for success, willing to cast aside their own happiness without hesitation. The superficiality of our daily routine has especially been brought to light in the current crisis. Across the world, people are forced to slow down and re-evaluate which parts of their lives are truly important. While there is so much uncertainty and anxiety, this unique time has created a window of opportunity, where we can slow down and focus on the truly meaningful parts of life.
While the current situation has become a large inspiration for my piece, the original idea came from a new year’s resolution. In 2020, I made it a goal to spend more time on wholesome activities that I truly enjoyed. Instead of spending my time on social media or involved in clubs that I felt obligated to join, I decided to make time to go to museums, gardens, and spend time with people I love. While “Marie Kondo-ing” of my life, I found myself to be more grateful and care-free. In practicing this attitude all year, I’ve learned how to find peace on my own, despite the aberrations of the outside world. While the pandemic is nothing to take lightly, I've found it all easier to bear because I've learned how to ground myself and find my joy.
My zine is aimed at helping others to find the hidden humanity during this dark time. Every situation has a silver lining, and through my piece, I hope to share ideas about how to make the most of this time and shift to a mindset that can be sustainable for a post-lockdown world. With the help of my friends’ perspectives, I created a zine called On the Bright Side. This phrase refers to viewing things in a positive light, seeking to see the bright spots of difficult situations. As an introduction, I’ve included a small paragraph about the intent of the zine, layered with text messages of friends’ perspectives on the situation. The style of layering in this collage acts as a reminder that no one is alone in their feelings, and that even without knowing each other, many participants echoed similar thoughts. The first piece is a collection of playlists, books, songs, movies, and TV shows to keep entertained during quarantine. All of the music is meant to create an upbeat mood, while the books, shows, and movies are intended to be a mix of light/carefree pieces with some more intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking. All of the suggestions have also been compiled by asking friends from across the country. The next piece is centered around taking a break from the digital world and making use of the resources at one’s disposal. I’ve written a short poem about the stressful effects of the constant news cycle. On the opposite page is a collage of outdoor activities, layered with my own photos from an excursion I recently took to Sleeping Bear Dunes. I chose to use these photos because on this trip, I felt extremely relieved to be away from electronics, and off the grid for a few hours.
I chose this format because the zine is intended to be a visual experience for the reader. I appreciated the creative freedom that comes with a zine and the ability to move naturally between mediums. I hope that readers gain a new perspective on the opportunity that comes with staying at home. The piece is very inspired by the Riot Grrl movement and the zines that came out of it. For them, the zine was efficient in spreading their ideas because of its accessibility and freedom of mediums. In a zine, anything goes, allowing readers to create their own versions and spread the message further. For me, this freedom of expression is also pertinent, because the meanings of simplicity and joy differ so much from person to person. However, a notable difference between my zine and those of the movement is that mine has been made entirely digitally. I initially had planned to make it by hand, using more traditional collaging methods, but changed my mind as I thought more about the topic and my intent. Learning how to use Photoshop has been a goal of mine for months, but at school I never found the time to do so. I saw this project as an opportunity to practice what I was preaching and expand my personal knowledge. I’m pleased with how the digital version turned out and look forward to experimenting with Photoshop this summer.
The craziness caused by COVID-19 has forced me to put my positive mindset to the ultimate test, actively seeking ways to make the most of what may not be an ideal situation. This project has been an incredible opportunity to share that journey while practicing immense self-reflection and creative exploration. In addition, the process of speaking with friends across the country has been a welcome reminder that no one is alone in their fight to stay on the bright side.
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