Motels Zine
The Charlotte Journalism Collaborative reached out to me to create a zine about the city’s housing shortage. I partnered with WFAE journalist Marshall Terry to illustrate a story on how Charlotte motels are being converted into micro-housing units. But the city still needs 25,000 more units to meet demand.
The zine explores this creative though imperfect solution. Renovating motels raises questions about displacing longtime residents and contributing to gentrification, but it also aims to expand the conversation around how Charlotte can create more affordable housing.
You can view the zine on the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative’s website.
Client
Charlotte Journalism Collaborative
My Role
Designer + Illustrator
Collaborators
Writer — Marshall Terry
Deliverables
Illustrated Zine
Project Length
April 2024
Illustration Process
I began illustrating all of the spreads with ink on paper, and then scanned it to color digitally.
Fold + Assemble!
I got to work with a paper trimmer and some double-sided tape
to assemble a fresh batch of zines.
Zines in Print
Community Reach
The Charlotte Journalism Collaborative distributed the finished zines at the BOOM Charlotte Arts Festival in Camp North End, sharing the project’s story with a broad audience of local arts supporters and community members.