Rubbish FAMzine is a unique publication that takes the simplest of stories and uses print and other concrete items to make them highly engaging. Although it started as a small family zine project, it’s no surprise the attention to detail applied throughout has brought it design awards and attention from around the world. But however good the design and production, it’s the charm of everyday family life that shines through and makes it so special.
reflection on the tutorial feedback
Today, when I was discussing with Rose in the tutorial group, I put forward the idea of making a "memory box". After the discussion, she gave me an important reference, that is rubbish FAMzine. This magazine is not a regular printed paper magazine, but a series of very interesting interactive playthings need to be made by hand. The contents in the magazine are separate, and a box needs to be made to integrate them. This is very consistent with my initial thoughts. It is worth mentioning that these brilliant magazines are a very good example for me. They remind me of some storage boxes for important items or some boxes for treasures. For everyone, memory is also their treasure. At first, I just wanted to put the photos in the box, and now I would try to add some other contents to the box after processing all the photos.
This made me think deeply about how I should arrange and arrange the contents of my box, what tone should I give it, what material should I use to make the box? In the Rubbish Famzine, the designer uses a tin can made of biscuit boxes as the material of the box. I think this is a very ingenious design, which reflects the thick sweet warmth from the family. Can't help but remind people of relating some memories of their own family. This magazine contains a 200-page collection of family photos, a branch picked up during a family trip, a paper airplane printed with "I feel free when I fly", a roll of tape, family medical surveys, family activities, etc. These tiny things record and reflect a family's past. Through these tiny details, the audience is easier reminded of themselves. What I need to do is to introduce the audience to a huge theme through tiny details. The boxes and content I need to make should allow any artist and designer (my audience) to understand how ego is connected to the world. So in the process I need to talk to people repeatedly to find feedback and appropriate way. This is what I learned from researching Rubbish Famzine.
REFERENCE
Jeremy Leslie (2015) Rubbish Famzine #3 Available at: https://magculture.com/out-now-rubbish-famzine-3/ (Accessed: 28/04/2020)
Jeremy Leslie (2020) Rubbish Famzine #9 Available at: https://magculture.com/rubbish-famzine-9/ (Accessed: 28/02/2020)
FOREVER AND A DAY
Issue one recorded the family’s first trip to Tokyo, and the second was a paean to Pann’s parents, the childrens’ beloved grandparents. Issue three, ‘Forever and a Day’ takes time as its theme, sharing family pictures and stories of the kids as they grow up. The small-format magazine part of the issue is one of several items found inside the large (40 x 25 x 25cm) box. Originally a cookie container made from old tin cans, the box is intended to be used by the buyer as a time capsule, to be filled and buried, and returned to in 2044. What makes it so intriguing is that it feels like a genuine reflection of the relationships between the four. It is sweet but charming, and anyone with a family of their own will relate to the interplay between the members.
The Unfinished Chronicle of the Chair Ballad
Titled ‘The Unfinished Chronicle of the Chair Ballad’, the issue opens with a nostalgic look back at the children Renn and Aira as youngsters sitting on various chairs at home; it’s immediately clear this family have an envy-inducing collection of classic mid-century modernist chairs (above). This opening section has the smallest pages; as we proceed through the issue story by story the pages increase in size (below), the familiar ‘Rubbish’ logo bleeding across the page edges in different colours.
Another lovely issue then, immediately recognisable for its Souvenir font and colourful use of papers, patterns, inks and tip-ins (video, above). This uniquely hand-finished approach means the issue is, as ever, limited to just 300 copies.
The ‘Chair’ theme sees the four family members adapting to their new more mature relationships and promises further collaboration for future issues. Together, the nine issues to date act as an endearing and unique record of a family’s development as the kids grow up.