The Journey of Creating "Alpha Pigeon": A Silly Zine That Got My Creativity Flowing Again
Sometimes, creativity strikes in the most unexpected ways. For me, it happened one afternoon while I was walking through the park, enjoying a bit of fresh air. I noticed a group of pigeons gathered near a bench, pecking at whatever food they could find. But one pigeon stood out—it was noticeably larger than the rest, and immediately, I thought of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, where Alpha Pokémon are much larger than their counterparts. And just like that, the idea for "Alpha Pigeon" was born—a silly, heartwarming story about an abnormally large pigeon who, despite his size and the occasional mess he causes, is still a very good boy.
Making this zine was not just a fun way to explore a quirky idea, but it also helped me push through a creative block I had been experiencing. It became an opportunity to reconnect with my artistic side, and along the way, I got to engage with other illustrators and creatives who were just as excited about this little project as I was.
In this post, I’ll share the process of creating "Alpha Pigeon", the joy of zine-making, and why it’s a fantastic way to get your creative juices flowing, even if you’re just starting out in self-publishing.
The Idea Behind "Alpha Pigeon"
The inspiration for "Alpha Pigeon" came from that very real park pigeon who was much larger than the others. His oversized body reminded me of the Alpha Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus—large, intimidating, but still essentially the same creature at heart. The humor in this juxtaposition was irresistible. I knew I had to create a story around it.
In the zine, Alpha Pigeon is larger than life, causing chaos wherever he goes, but he’s not a menace—he’s just misunderstood! Despite his size and the messes he leaves behind, he’s still a lovable character who just wants to fit in with the other pigeons. This story became my creative outlet, allowing me to embrace my goofy side while crafting something meaningful at the same time.
Why Zines Are the Perfect Outlet for Creative Expression
Like many creatives, I sometimes face periods where ideas feel stale, and getting started on a new project can feel overwhelming. But zines are a low-pressure, high-reward way to jump-start creativity. Here’s why zines, like "Alpha Pigeon", are such an excellent way to dive back into the creative process:
1. Creative Freedom with No Boundaries
One of the things I love most about zines is the total creative freedom they offer. There are no hard rules, no need to follow a particular style or structure—you can just let your ideas flow. With "Alpha Pigeon", I didn’t have to worry about making the story perfect or adhering to traditional publishing standards. I could focus on having fun and telling the story I wanted to tell, in my own unique way.
2. Connecting with an Audience
Zines are a wonderful way to connect with people who share your sense of humor or artistic vision. With "Alpha Pigeon," I found that other artists and zine creators resonated with the silly yet heartwarming nature of the story. Whether it was through social media or in-person zine trades, I discovered a community of like-minded creatives who appreciated the whimsy of a giant pigeon protagonist. Zines are an accessible way to attract your core audience—people who get what you're about, even when the subject is as offbeat as an oversized pigeon!
3. A Tangible Way to Express Creativity
Zines are a tactile, personal way to express creativity. For "Alpha Pigeon," I hand-drew the illustrations, designed the layout, and crafted the story by hand before making photocopies to distribute. The hands-on nature of creating a zine made it all the more fulfilling. Each page felt personal, and by the end, I had a tangible product that I could hold, share, and distribute to others. This experience of physically making something brought me out of my creative slump and reminded me of the joy that comes with making art.
The Process of Making "Alpha Pigeon"
If you're thinking of creating your own zine, here's a step-by-step guide based on how I made "Alpha Pigeon."
Materials I Used:
Paper: I used standard printer paper for my zine, but any paper will do.
Pens, Markers, and Colored Pencils: These were my go-to tools for the hand-drawn illustrations of Alpha Pigeon.
Scissors and Glue: For cutting out and pasting elements, like text and images, onto the pages.
A Copier/Printer: Once the zine was ready, I made copies using a local print shop.
Stapler: To bind the pages together.
Steps to Make the Zine:
Concept & Sketching: I began by sketching out my idea and planning the flow of the story. I decided that Alpha Pigeon would have a simple plot with a lighthearted message: even if you’re different, you can still be loved.
Illustrating & Writing: Next, I drew Alpha Pigeon and his pigeon friends. I kept the illustrations fun and playful, and the dialogue minimal, focusing on visual humor.
Assembling: After finishing the drawings and text, I arranged everything on the pages by hand. For a zine like this, folding standard printer paper in half worked perfectly to create that booklet feel.
Printing & Distribution: After finalizing the layout, I took my zine to a local print shop to make copies. I made about 50 copies initially, which I planned to distribute at a local zine fest and through my online shop.
Initial Cost of Making "Alpha Pigeon"
Here’s a rough breakdown of what it cost me to make my first run of "Alpha Pigeon."
Paper: About $5 for a ream of printer paper.
Pens, Markers, and Colored Pencils: I already had these on hand, but if you’re starting fresh, you might spend around $10 to $20.
Printing Costs: The local print shop charged about 10 cents per black-and-white copy, so printing 50 copies of a 10-page zine cost around $50.
Binding (Staples): A few dollars for a stapler and staples, or you can use one you already have.
Total Initial Cost: Roughly $60 to $80, depending on materials and printing.
Why Zines Like "Alpha Pigeon" Are a Great Creative Outlet
If you’re feeling stuck creatively or want to try something new, making a zine can help spark your imagination. Here are a few reasons why:
1. It’s Fun and Low-Pressure
With a project like "Alpha Pigeon," the goal wasn’t to create a polished, professional product—it was to have fun and explore a silly idea. Zines are low-stakes, which takes away the pressure and allows for true creative exploration.
2. It Builds Community
The zine-making process also helped me connect with other artists. Whether it was at zine festivals or through social media, sharing "Alpha Pigeon" became a way to engage with a community of illustrators and writers.
3. It Can Be as Serious or Goofy as You Want
Zines are an open-ended format. You can make a serious political zine, an emotional art journal, or something completely goofy like "Alpha Pigeon." The only limit is your imagination.
Conclusion: Zines as a Path to Creative Expression
Making "Alpha Pigeon" was the perfect way to get my creativity flowing again. It reminded me of the joy that comes from creating something simply because it makes me smile. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or just someone with a fun idea, making a zine can be a fantastic way to explore your creativity and connect with others.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some paper, pens, and your imagination, and start your zine-making journey today!
