The hand-mad design style was especially popular during the zine movement in the 1960s – 1990s. Because these zines were not driven by a capitalistic approach, they could experiment with new aesthetics freely.
“Sniffin’ Glue(1976–77)is a great example of new aesthetics that would ultimately penetrate a world saturated in modernist design tropes.”1
The methods used by zine producers had to be quite cheap, which also paved the way for a DIY-aesthetic. The results were designs that did not fit the popular media of the time.
The many different aesthetics that zines used inspired art and clothing, and also defined topics of discussion for this generation. In this instance the hand-made design style was a way to boycott formality and celebrate individuality. It criticizes the narrow definition of success in our society. “Replication of aesthetics that defy an adherence to modernist standards of ‘good’ design, art, and writing, makes space for designers today to continue to question conventions of popular culture, as to not slip into patterns that perpetuate exclusivity.” ¹
- https://scholar.utc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1341&context=honors-theses ↩︎
https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2013/jun/30/punk-music
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-riot-grrrl-collection-book-feminist-punk_n_3562407
