This project centers on the creation of a 12-page illustrated zine that explores ethical principles within the field of design representation and illustration. Presented in the form of a manifesto, this zine aims to elucidate six guiding principles that reflect my distinct perspective on the portrayal of the "mean girl" character in comedic teenage films. The objective is to prevent the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes in real life that often result from such portrayals.

​

Adolescents frequently categorize their peers based on the archetypal characters they encounter in teenage comedy films. The following six guidelines are put forth to address this issue: Diversity in Meanness: Encouraging multi-dimensional interpretations of meanness to avoid one-dimensional portrayals. Beyond Character Appearance: Promoting the exploration of character depth beyond superficial attributes. Humanization: Advocating for the portrayal of the "mean girl" as a relatable human being rather than a caricature. Avoiding Extremes: Discouraging the depiction of characters as exclusively virtuous or malevolent. Not Simplifying to One Trait: Emphasizing the importance of multifaceted character traits. Positioning of Character: Highlighting the significance of context and character development.

​

The intended audience for this zine consists of character designers engaged in the creation of "mean girl" characters for teenage films. The zine's visual aesthetic is inspired by a character design school yearbook, incorporating elements commonly found in such publications. Each character within this "yearbook" represents one of the six guidelines, complete with a name and an illustrative representation.

​

The zine concludes with a dedicated section for personal notes, encouraging readers to apply the guidelines in their own "mean girl" character conceptualizations. The chosen color palette deliberately avoids stereotypical associations (e.g., pink for the popular "mean girl" or black for the outcast) in favor of colors like maroon and orange, symbolizing inclusivity across all types of "mean girl" characters.

​

Throughout the guidelines, a formal and serious tone is consistently maintained, underscoring the significance of the subject matter. The ultimate goal of this zine is to educate and guide designers in crafting "mean girl" characters based on archetypal foundations from comedic teenage films, with the overarching aim of mitigating the tendency of teenagers to pigeonhole their peers into stereotypical categories of "mean girls" in real life.