Castarsis was a personal passion project and collaborative effort to produce a independent zine exploring the intersection of art and astrology. The primary goal was to create a cohesive, visually compelling publication that stood out from traditional zines. By blending art, astrology, and personal growth, the project unified a community of artists to bring my vision into fruition.
Role: Lead Designer, Project Management, Creative Director
Programs: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom
Timeline: April 2023






The most critical challenge was print production fidelity. I had to personally learn the technical differences between CMYK and RGB color spaces, thoroughly editing and color-correcting all photos and visuals to ensure color accuracy on the final printed page.
Honestly? The real constraint wasn't the design, it was bringing together 20+ young adults who all have busy lives and full-time jobs. Coordinating schedules for the photoshoots and meeting self-imposed deadlines was brutal. This required constant communication and relentless flexibility to deal with inevitable no-shows prolonging the projects deadline.

I began with concept development, designing a mood board for each astrological sign to establish a clear visual direction. Following this, I secured writers to create text descriptions for each sign. I managed communication, making sure everyone (models, stylists, artists) understood how their individual piece fit the bigger picture.

This design system was heavily influenced by fashion and music magazines, like Project X, specifically for the text hierarchy and eclectic page layouts.

To make it a multimedia experience, the zine included a digital playlist to enhance the reader experience beyond the physical page.

During the final production, I reviewed all elements for print and distribution. I focused on editing text, designing graphics in Photoshop, and creating limited-edition beaded bookmarks as a scarcity strategy to drive pre-launch demand.

Finally, I prepared all files to meet the printer's specific requirements (bleed, margins, CMYK color profiles) to ensure a high-quality finished product.
This project exceeded every expectation I had. Seeing 10 copies sell in the first 20 minutes and the exclusive editions sell out in an hour was very validating. Beyond the sales, seeing the zine stocked in a local boutique was the most meaningful reward, confirming that my work held its own in a professional retail environment.
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