Zine as a catalyst: Fostering collective narrative and storytelling at the local cultural community

Abstract:

At the University of Florida’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Desi Student Engagement (APIDSE), a unique zine-making project showcased the convergence of participatory design and gamification, emphasizing their collective strength in enhancing student and community engagement. The project, centered around an open call for zines followed by a community-wide voting process, was a highlight of the APIDSE cultural fair. It aimed to foster narrative sharing and celebrate diverse cultural identities, demonstrating design’s vital role in facilitating meaningful cultural dialogues and creating shared social memories.

Despite encountering logistical challenges and the complexities of coordinating submissions, the project underscored the effectiveness of design in cultural contexts. The resulting zine collection became a vibrant artifact of communal experiences, illustrating the potential of design-led activities to forge lasting social connections. A significant insight from this initiative was the successful application of participatory design principles, creating an inclusive platform for cultural storytelling. This approach not only bridged the gap between theoretical service design and practical institutional implementation but also highlighted design’s ability to drive community engagement and deepen understanding among members.

This presentation will discuss the employed methodologies, project outcomes, and the broader implications of using participatory design for community engagement. Reflecting on the initiative, it will explore how design acts as a catalyst for amplifying community voices and fostering collective culture-making, offering valuable perspectives for similar endeavors in educational and local contexts.

Keywords: zine, culture-making, community engagement, participatory design, gamification

References:

• Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R., & Nacke, L. (2011). From Game Design Elements to Gamefulness: Defining “Gamification”. MindTrek ‘11.
• Giaccardi, E. (2012). Heritage and Social Media: Understanding Heritage in a Participatory Culture. Routledge.
• Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NYU Press.
• Simon, N. (2010). The Participatory Museum. Museum 2.0.

Citation: Phan, H. (2024) Zine as a catalyst: Fostering collective narrative and storytelling at the local cultural community, in Carrasquilla, C. & Singer, C. (eds.), UCDA Design Education Summit: Immerse, 20-22 May 2024, Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Arizona, USA.