'Op hoop van zegen' - 4 zines, 1 story  [2025]

Op hoop van zegen bundle

From February to July 2025, I worked together with Luuk Simons, Alys van Loon, Grace Lauffer, Sam Loots, and Jared Wolffensperger on a project where we started an illustration studio called "Studio Ongedierte".

Our assignment was to create a zine based on the question: What if a species evolved so far that the line between human and animal faded?

Luuk Simons
Luuk Simons - Zine 3&4
Joaquin de Graaff
Joaquin de Graaff - Zine 3&4
Alys van Loon
Alys van Loon - Zine 1&4
Grace Lauffer
Grace Lauffer - Zine 1&4
Sam Loots
Sam Loots - Zine 2&4
Jared Wolffensperger
Jared Wolffensperger - Zine 2&4

What did we do with that question?

We created a four-part graphic zine called "Op hoop van zegen", it tells a story about a family trying to survive in a possible post-apocalyptic version of the Netherlands. Each chapter has a different focus, such as mutation, fear of change, and the damage humans cause to the world by wanting to play God.

First concept art from me (left) and Sam (right)
Complete flatplan

The first three chapters were made in pairs, so each duo was responsible for one part of the story. The fourth and final chapter was created together as a team. This way, everyone had ownership over a part of the project while still working closely together.

Each artist used their own materials and techniques like ink, pencil, watercolor, digital drawing, photography, and etching. This gave everyone space to experiment, and thanks to the planning we did beforehand, the four booklets still feel like one strong, connected work. 

My main focus was on creating backgrounds, environments, and atmosphere to help tell the story through setting. I also took on the role of art director during the process, making sure the overall style and structure stayed consistent across all chapters. Besides that, I was responsible for print coördination, preparing the files and contacting the print shop to make sure everything was printed properly. 

My illustrations

I am responsible for
Chapter 3: P1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17
Chapter 4: P1, 2, 12, 13, 21
Extra standalone visual for explanation

[Click on illustration for full resolution]

Chapter 3 - P1
Chapter 3: P12 & 13 (fold-out page)
Chapter 3 - P2 & 3
Chapter 3 - P8 & 9
Chapter 4 - P12 & 13 (with Sam Loots)
Chapter 3 - P17 (fold-out page)
Chapter 4 - P1
Chapter 4 - P2
Chapter 4 - P21 (with Sam Loots)
Extra standalone visual for explanation

Fold-out pages

For several pages of chapter 3, which I created together with Luuk, I designed fold-out pages. These can literally be unfolded into a larger spread, expanding beyond the regular format (A5 landscape). I chose this approach to enhance the impact of the scenes in the story.

Front and back

Sam designed the covers, he chose to create one large artwork that connects the four booklets, each working individually but also forming a single image when arranged as a square. I took care of the back covers and made sure they followed the same idea. By doing so, the backs come together to reveal our studio logo.

Two versions

We made two versions:
- A set of four zines with a sleeve around it
- A set of four zines in a box and a (different) sleeve around that

Sleeves and dieline box (designs from Luuk Simons, made print-ready by me)

Logo "Studio Ongedierte"

Our studio needed a logo to represent us on social media, so as the graphic designer in the group, I created one. The logo depicts a dead rat, tying back to the theme of “ongedierte”. Since our story is about people mutating into beasts, often violently, the exposed guts in the logo reflect that unsettling transformation.

More about this logo design on the 'Web- and Logodesign' page.

Exposition and market

On the 19th and the 20th of June 2025 we exposed our project on the "Kijken en Zine" exposition on St.Joost - Breda. Not only were we part of the exposition, we also got to sell our zine-bundles.

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