Reed Marting

BFA in Art & Design

Judy, Lisa, Leslie, Reed & Drew

My project examines the relationship between five, female family members’ nostalgic memories and objects that hold important meaning to each individual. The heirlooms informed the visual design elements and principles for five zines I created that explore human memory and personal belongings. The five, female members include my Nana, Mom, Aunt, Sister, and myself. Through interviews I quickly learned that the objects they pinned as their most valuable objects are all attached to a certain memory and also a female family member. My project focuses on interpersonal relationships and memories by closely examining the value behind the five specific objects. This project will remind us that value is found in the meaning and memories behind personal objects.

Judy (Nana) & Her Ceramic Frog

Each video showcases how each zine unfolds from a book (6x8in) and transforms into a large poster (16x24in). The cover is a collage of close-up photographs and textures of the heirloom. The first layout tells the story of what the object is and where it came from. The second layout shows why the object is valued by the individual and what memories and time it reminds them of. The back poster showcases a collage of the photographs, handwriting, a drawing of the individual and the object, the individual’s name, and the description of the object. Then the zine folds back up to display the back cover where the branding is located with the logo, the relation of the person to me, their nostalgic object, and the project statement, “This project reminds us that value is found in the meaning and memories behind personal objects.”


Lisa (Mom) & Her Pin Case

Each video showcases how each zine unfolds from a book (6x8in) and transforms into a large poster (16x24in). The cover is a collage of close-up photographs and textures of the heirloom. The first layout tells the story of what the object is and where it came from. The second layout shows why the object is valued by the individual and what memories and time it reminds them of. The back poster showcases a collage of the photographs, handwriting, a drawing of the individual and the object, the individual’s name, and the description of the object. Then the zine folds back up to display the back cover where the branding is located with the logo, the relation of the person to me, their nostalgic object, and the project statement, “This project reminds us that value is found in the meaning and memories behind personal objects.”


Leslie (Aunt) & Her Charm Bracelet

Each video showcases how each zine unfolds from a book (6x8in) and transforms into a large poster (16x24in). The cover is a collage of close-up photographs and textures of the heirloom. The first layout tells the story of what the object is and where it came from. The second layout shows why the object is valued by the individual and what memories and time it reminds them of. The back poster showcases a collage of the photographs, handwriting, a drawing of the individual and the object, the individual’s name, and the description of the object. Then the zine folds back up to display the back cover where the branding is located with the logo, the relation of the person to me, their nostalgic object, and the project statement, “This project reminds us that value is found in the meaning and memories behind personal objects.”


Reed (Myself) & My Silver Ring

Each video showcases how each zine unfolds from a book (6x8in) and transforms into a large poster (16x24in). The cover is a collage of close-up photographs and textures of the heirloom. The first layout tells the story of what the object is and where it came from. The second layout shows why the object is valued by the individual and what memories and time it reminds them of. The back poster showcases a collage of the photographs, handwriting, a drawing of the individual and the object, the individual’s name, and the description of the object. Then the zine folds back up to display the back cover where the branding is located with the logo, the relation of the person to me, their nostalgic object, and the project statement, “This project reminds us that value is found in the meaning and memories behind personal objects.”


Drew (Sister) & Her Stuffed Animal Pig

Each video showcases how each zine unfolds from a book (6x8in) and transforms into a large poster (16x24in). The cover is a collage of close-up photographs and textures of the heirloom. The first layout tells the story of what the object is and where it came from. The second layout shows why the object is valued by the individual and what memories and time it reminds them of. The back poster showcases a collage of the photographs, handwriting, a drawing of the individual and the object, the individual’s name, and the description of the object. Then the zine folds back up to display the back cover where the branding is located with the logo, the relation of the person to me, their nostalgic object, and the project statement, “This project reminds us that value is found in the meaning and memories behind personal objects.”


When each zine is completely unfolded it displays a poster. Each poster is 16×24 inches and showcases the collage of the elements within the zine. Each poster, with the exception of Judy’s, has a rectangle from another person’s poster. This rectangle is meant to overlap, as pictured in this mockup, and shows who gave each individual their object. For example, Reed’s object was given to her by her aunt, but Drew’s object was given to her by Reed.

The GIF animates how the posters overlap one another to showcase who each object is from.

This mockup showcases what the in-person exhibition would have looked like. The exhibition would have had five shelves with five of each zine on them. On the right, would be all five zines unfolded completely to showcase the connection between each family member and their nostalgic objects.

A full layout of what the 5 zines look like. Starting at the top then moving to the bottom is the cover, spread one, spread two, back poster, and the back cover. From left to right, the zines are for Judy, Lisa, Leslie, Reed, and Drew.

Detail shot of my own zine. For more documentation of my project please see my personal website, https://reedmarting.myportfolio.com.