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It was my first time using indesign, hence I was extremely unfamiliar with it and had to learn from scratch. After the crash course from Tutor Shirley about Indesign, I felt more confident and began to do more self exploration. My zine process with be illustrated as shown below:

It will be shown through a progressive change for each page throughout my different versions.

COVER PAGE:

Initially I had no idea what to do for a cover page. Hence I came up with a “deadpan” look one like the one above.

Subsequently, I began to use more visual elements in my design but they made the zine look rather messy.

This is how my zine looked like after my first consultation. Elements used are simplified and the titles are all put together for ease of reading.

I then came up with another version on on own, wanting a sense of hierarchy to my cover.

This is how my final cover looks like after editing.

 

LAYOUT  PAGE 2/3: 

My original intention was to use this doll with 5 pins on it to mark out the 5 things about Mandai. However, the first thing that Tutor Shirley said when she saw this was ” you want to curse someone is it? Voodoo doll??” Then I realised my mistake in choosing this doll.

After which I decided to fill my 2/3 page with the birds as my subject matter. This is how the first attempt looks like.

Then I altered the text a little and created some emphasis on some words that seemed more important. However, after my consultation, I realised that this is actually a big nono.

I too learnt that my text should all be in one area and not all over the place. Hence I amended my text’s location and added white borders to my pictures to have a better sense of harmony.

The pictures at the bottom seem a little squeezy after that, so I removed one of them and enlarged the rest with more spacing between my text as well.

This is the version 2 of the bird sanctuary page I created.

This is the final layout I have decided to go with in the end.

 

LAYOUT PAGE 4/5: 

Once again, this is the very first attempt for using the rectangle tool after the crash course.

I also tried to make use of some gradient effect as well. However, I realised that it can be distracting and thus removed it thereafter.

Pulling images into my layout in the raw state.

My attempt to add borders and shapes to my images and well as a title.

I played around with the different typeface and colour for the title as well as the texts in my layout. However, the feedback was that the caps title seems “angry” and I better change it to some other typeface. Also, deciding that white is not a good idea which actually breaks the sense of consistency, i changed it to black in the following picture below.

Again, I placed emphasis on some words which is not ideal at all and added white borders to my pictures.

I then shifted my text to one area as they should not be all over the place as mentioned in the previous layout.

Seeing that there is not much progress for version 1, I began to start on a version 2 instead. I also made conscious effort to let my pictures have a sense of hierarchy.

 

Eventually, this is my final layout for page 4/5 for my zine.

 

LAYOUT PAGE 6/7:

Again, this is my first attempt.

Adding title and pictures into it as usual.

Once again, text flying everywhere. Not ideal at all. Pictures seem rather cramped.

Trying to make use of white borders to help but they are not helping much either.

Tidied up the pictures and texts. Looks slightly better now.

However, I still went on to do my version 2.

This is how the final layout for page 6/7 looks like for my zine.

 

BACK COVER: 

My first attempt at making a back cover page. I didn’t want it to look complicated hence I reused the same picture. I also want the viewer to have a ‘one glance to end’ kind of feel then the layout is as such.

I then proceeded to add some final text on it.

However, considering that the majority part of the zine is better in version 2, I also went along with the version 2 of my back cover.

This is the final back cover for my zine after adding some social contact.

Reflections: 

I felt that this project really allows me to gain exposure on how to create a mini magazine on my own with a totally unfamiliar software. I learnt a lot through redoing and amending my zine with the feedback I received. Things like the typeface, fonts, colour, placement of pictures and texts, visual hierarchy etc are all very important in a zine and I am really glad I tried many ways and means to get this project done. My initial intention was to do a zine purely on Mandai Crematorium and the comparison between an army’s officer’s procession versus a civilian one. But then it resulted in a very dark aura around my zine, something I didn’t want, hence I changed my subject matter to the 5 things you probably didn’t notice in Mandai. At first my title page was just as literal but subsequently I changed it to a more indirect one “Beyond Trees” since many people think that Mandai has nothing but trees over there. Despite having many doubts and insecurities, it was a chance for exploration, experimentation which actually made me enjoy the process.

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Relevant Statistics gathered: (because not all can go/ are suitable for slides presentation) 

 

TOTAL DEATHS BY YEAR: (with mostly a decade interval) 

1960 – 10210 deaths

1970 – 10717 deaths

1980 – 12505 deaths

1990 – 13891 deaths

2000 – 15693 deaths

2010 – 17610 deaths

2012 – 18481 deaths

2014 – 19393 deaths

2016 – 19988 deaths

 

PERCENTAGE OF DEATHS BY GENDER FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS: 

2012 – MALE (10075 deaths) = 54.5%   FEMALE (8406 deaths) = 45.5%

2013 – MALE (10426 deaths) = 56.6%   FEMALE (8010 deaths) = 43.4%

2014 –  MALE (10534 deaths) = 54.3%  FEMALE (8858 deaths) =45.7%

2015 –  MALE (10779 deaths) = 54.3%  FEMALE (9073 deaths) = 45.7%

2016 –  MALE (10977 deaths) = 54.9%  FEMALE (9011 deaths) = 45.1%

 

CREMATION STATISTICS FOR 3 YEARS: 

2012 – ( 14620 deaths out of 18481 deaths ) = 79.11% cremated

2013 – ( 15160 deaths out of 18938 deaths ) = 80.05% cremated

2014 – ( 153700 deaths out of 19393 deaths ) = 79.26% cremated

 

PRICE OF CREMATION INCREMENT OVER THE YEARS:  

As this is not quite available online, I sent an email in to  enquire about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

Google Map

Singstats

South Park Characters

 

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MANDAI (Man-Die?)

When I first received the brief and location assigned, I was a little taken aback. Contrary to the places I am familiar with (Bedok and Marine Parade), Mandai is relatively out of town and I am very unfamiliar with it. After researching on the area, I shortlisted 3 places within Mandai, namely the Mandai Bird Sanctuary , Upper Seletar Reservoir and the Mandai Crematorium. Although there is the night safari and Singapore zoo, I intentionally steered away from popular tourist attractions.

 

When I first reached the mandai area, all I could see was trees and more trees, making it seemed more ulu than I thought.

My first stop of the visit was Upper Seletar Reservoir.

After walking around for quite a while, I feel that it is quite similar to other parks and reservoirs, making it not so ideal for my zine project.

I then moved on to the Mandai Bird Sanctuary.  Mandai Bird Sanctuary has been something of a secret for the past two decades, since it opened in 1994. The sanctuary was previously open only to experts and academics from around the world, and as a place for research development in bird breeding. The sanctuary’s lease was originally set to expire by the end of May. However, an extension by the Singapore Land Authority meant they have till February 2017 to move to Sungei Tengah.

The sanctuary currently sits on two hectares of land along Lorong Lada Hitam, and has long bred exotic species. It has eight aviaries which house about 2,800 birds from more than 120 species. Many of them are rare, and some are also endangered. They include breeds such as the Black Palm Cockatoo and Eclectus Parrot. Mandai Bird Sanctuary is one of only two farms in Singapore which have been approved by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – an international treaty to protect endangered wildlife.

However, when I reached 31 Lorong Lada Hitam, the rusty metal gates were closed. I called the office hotline many times, only to reach an engaged tone. There was not a single soul in sight even though I stood at the gate and called out several times. Despite that, loud chirping sounds were heard from within.

Stoning outside the gate for some time, the only pictures of birds I took were of these 2 cuties. They seems to have some synchronised actions. Also, minor bullying spotted (3rd pic).

Perhaps I was too late, the sanctuary was already closed since it was nearing the end of February already. Feeling disappointed, I moved on to my next venue.

Upon reaching Mandai Crematorium, I spotted many army men walking around. Not thinking much about it, I visited the columbarium first.

Strangely, I noticed that the fishes in the pond at the ground level of the columbarium were hardly moving. Thinking that they may be artificial fishes, I stood there to observe them. While I confirmed that they are alive but with very minimal movements, I really wondered why. (Is it too spooky?!)

 

As I walked up, I also noticed a small poster attached on the walls. Perhaps these are caused by lighted candles or joss sticks. (One of the Chinese Traditions for the deceased)

As I walked through the rows of niches, I noticed that besides from flowers, there are many other little objects like stuffed toys, cards, animals figurines placed on the little platform in front of the tablet.

(I told the deceased about my project before taking these photos) From cards to small soft toys, keychains and figurines (the variety was interesting),  we can see the love their family have for them and the area was well maintained.

      

    

    

   

    

As I proceed to the service halls, I noticed many army men putting on black arm bands.

They stood in 2 uniformed rows opposite each other and not long after, a hearse appeared and the army men started saluting one by one.

The state flag was seen draped on the coffin as it was lifted out of the hearse.

Meanwhile, another group was standing in line waiting to march into the empty area in front of the service hall.

This is then followed by the rifles salute with 18 shots into the air.

Shortly after, an army officer began blowing the trumpet.

 

They then proceeded to march out.

After that, the team then began searching for the bullets lying around amongst the grass.

I then proceeded to the viewing hall. As the viewing hall was too crowded for the deceased army official, I went to the next viewing hall instead. (I also briefly explained the project to the deceased’s relatives before taking any action)

Some other sightings at the crematorium:

(The person in charge was there and he did not mind me taking the photos)

I think I have never been at the crematorium for this long before. It was an interesting on site research journey and coincidentally, I have also seen things that are otherwise normally not seen in more common spaces in Singapore.