Danielle Muntyan

OUGD603 Extended Practice

Brief # 16 The Fall of Rome

The Brief

Considerations

Context & Target Audience

Solution

Design and produce a conceptual zine based on the

city of Rome.

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.

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.

The Fall of Rome zine tells the story of Cesears reign

through photography and poetry, exploring both
modern and ancient Rome.

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.

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.

Brief Type
Self-Initiated.

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.

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

Danielle Muntyan

OUGD603 Extended Practice

Brief # 16 The Fall of Rome

Research: Contextual Influence

The Fall of Rome by W.H. Arden.

The piers are pummelled by the waves;
In a lonely field the rain
Lashes an abandoned train;
Outlaws fill the mountain caves.
Fantastic grow the evening gowns;
Agents of the Fisc pursue
Absconding tax-defaulters through
The sewers of provincial towns.
Private rites of magic send
The temple prostitutes to sleep;
All the literati keep
An imaginary friend.
Cerebrotonic Cato may
Extol the Ancient Disciplines,

But the muscle-bound Marines

Mutiny for food and pay.
Caesars double-bed is warm
As an unimportant clerk
Writes I DO NOT LIKE MY WORK
On 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, vast
Herds of reindeer move across
Miles and miles of golden moss,
Silently and very fast.

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.

2/7

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

Danielle Muntyan

OUGD603 Extended Practice

Brief # 16 The Fall of Rome

Development

Layout and Grid

Printing and Binding

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.

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.

Elements of the poem have been placed throughout

te double page spreads in the same manner, for
consistent diversity.

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.
4/7

Danielle Muntyan

OUGD603 Extended Practice

Cover

Layout and Overlays

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.

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.

Brief # 16 The Fall of Rome

Outcome: Cover and Layout Design

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.

5/7

Danielle Muntyan

OUGD603 Extended Practice

Brief # 16 The Fall of Rome

Outcome: Layout Design

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.

6/7

Danielle Muntyan

OUGD603 Extended Practice

Brief # 16 The Fall of Rome

Outcome: Layout Design

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.

7/7