The process of handling these materials was pretty easy for me because it’s kind of like sewing a shirt or any clothing item, which I learned to do when I was younger and the materials are very similar to what I would use to sow clothing. I feel that the importance of directly engaging with the material objects that compose the book helps with making you appreciate the craft and artistry that goes into producing them. This alters the way I think about book production in general, and interacting with printed books in particular because I’m now more aware of the design choices that have been made, such as the choice of paper, typography, and layout. It makes me also appreciate the skill and care that went into producing the physical object, including the printing, binding, and finishing processes. I think that what drives people to make zines is being able to allow them to create and to have creative freedom and experimentation that is often not possible in more traditional publishing formats, such as pamphlets or magazines. Zines frequently have a more intimate feel than other print media. They frequently concentrate on specialized subjects, subcultures, and unconventional points of view that may not appeal to the general public or be covered by the media. Although access to information and tools can be facilitated by digital media, it cannot replace the tactile and sensory experience of directly working with materials and making something with your own hands. The tactile and visual aspects of the materials used can be better understood and appreciated by learning to bind papers in the actual world. I think that in order to record a successful how-to/instructional video like Joanna’s or the making a Zine you’ll need the binding materials, great light like she uses. You’ll need a good video taking camera and a program to then edit the video and most importantly know the material and know exactly what you’re doing for it to be as successful as Johana’s video.
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Hi Lisbel ,
I like how you drawn a connection between you younger experience and handling the materials . That essentially is the first step to appreciating the artistry and craft of making books as you describe . Binding books isn’t as foreign as we think it’s like making clothes and should be held to that value , handling stuff with care and delicacy makes us more grateful for having them. All in all great response.
Hi Lisbel,
You are right to say that in order to make a successful how-to/instructional video, you need a good quality camera and a good lighting (not just for the aesthetics) but because they help the viewer see clearer of what’s going on and can follow along. Some knowledge in editing can help because you can cut out parts that doesn’t contribute to the “how-to”/teaching portion of the video, such as dead silence or if you’re having trouble speaking and describing the steps. I would also add that, especially in the “how-to” videos, you need to make sure that everything you’re doing is on camera because the viewers need to see what’s happening and can follow along suitably.
Lisbel,
Really great reflections here. I think that paying close attention to the “craft and artistry” as you put it, is crucial in revealing the humans behind the process of book making: we want to always think about the specific workers and how their labor is reflected in the material object. I’m also interested in your point about multimodality: you say that “tactile and sensory experience of directly working with materials” is taken for granted in digital media. Do you think this affects our memory and understanding of the materials as well?