Roots:
Zero Waste
Living Magazine
Adobe InDesign | Print and Book Design | 2025
Roots is a magazine developed as part of an Experimental Publications course at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The project involved producing two self-directed editions, allowing full control over both subject matter and material choices. Roots draws inspiration from seasonal living practices rooted in Ayurveda and other spiritually based, ancient approaches to addressing modern challenges. The editions are structured around fall and spring, seasons that symbolize transition and provide opportunities to pause, reflect, and reevaluate aspects of life often neglected within the pace of contemporary living. The first edition, Renewal, explores themes of rest and reassessment, while the second edition, Cultivate, focuses on growth, intention, and renewal through action.
Edition 1: Fall 2025, Renewal
The first edition of Roots, Renewal, centers on fall seasonal living and the practice of slowing down to rest, reflect, and reassess everyday habits shaped by excess and waste. This edition focuses specifically on food waste, incorporating global, national, and individual statistics to prompt viewers to consider how their own consumption impacts the environment. Alongside this research, the zine includes a tutorial on transforming common food scraps such as onion skins, avocado skins, and expired leafy greens into natural dyes, encouraging creative reuse as a method of waste reduction. Fabric samples created from my own experiments with food-based dyes are included throughout the zine, grounding the project in personal practice and material exploration. While this edition reflects my own relationship with food waste, it aims to inspire others to recognize the value of small, intentional changes. Renewal is printed on recycled cardstock, and the fabric samples are made from recycled canvas, reinforcing the project’s commitment to sustainability through both content and form.
Edition 2: Spring 2026, Cultivate
I titled the second edition of Roots Cultivate to continue exploring spring seasonal living inspired by Ayurvedic practices, building on the themes established in Edition One. Spring serves as a framework for renewal and intentional growth, shaping both the concept and materials of the zine. I used recycled mulberry paper to introduce a tactile quality and subtle transparency, allowing the pages to guide the viewer through the book in a layered and reflective way. The cover is made from recycled cardstock with a sheet of handmade paper embedded inside, framing the zine as a window into natural practices and the human experience. The project began with a focus on minimalism, drawing inspiration from authors such as Marie Kondo and the idea of removing excess to create clarity in contemporary life. This edition expands on that foundation by including a tutorial on making paper from scratch, encouraging recycling, sustainability, and creative approaches to reducing paper waste through mindful living.