Inside BAREFACE Zine by student-led Media Club

Parami’s student-led Media Club has launched its first-ever zine, BAREFACE, a publication born from the desire to express creativity and leave a tangible impact in an online learning environment. The team envisioned a platform where students could freely explore their artistic identities through visuals and writing, and a zine became the perfect medium—intimate, expressive, and symbolic of freedom and imagination. As Wai Moe, the founder of the Media Club and Art Director of the zine, shared, “We wanted a space where students could leave a piece of themselves behind—something that lasts beyond a screen.”

The name BAREFACE carries intentional irony. Despite the masks covering the contributors’ faces, the choices of colors, shapes, and artistic styles reveal their emotions and experiences more honestly than bare skin ever could. Through these visuals and the accompanying writing, the zine invites readers to “see” the person behind the mask, experiencing their inner world with empathy and openness. “Even when faces are hidden, the colors and shapes tell a story,” explained Wai Moe. Every piece reflects a personal journey, and together they form a collective portrait of the Parami community. “We want every reader not just to look, but to truly see the person behind the mask and feel the emotions they are expressing,” another member added.

The publication came to life through strong collaboration among writers, designers, proofreaders, and logistics members, with support from the Literary Wanderers Club and the LLC. Central to the zine is the Geometric  Echoes photography project, funded through the Get Engaged Grant from OSUN, currently known as GHEA21.

The photographs—created by student artists who designed their own masks and expressed themselves through poses and colors—serve as the visual backbone of the issue. “The Geometric Echoes project is the heart of this zine,” said Wai Moe. “Each artist brought their own story to the camera, and those stories became the soul of BAREFACE.” For the project organizer, this remains one of the most meaningful works of their life, and its influence shapes the zine’s overall tone.

Developing the zine was not without challenges. Student engagement in extracurricular activities is often low due to personal struggles and the ongoing crisis in the country. These circumstances caused delays and made it difficult to sustain momentum. Yet the Media Club persisted, showing that student-led projects can make a lasting impact even in challenging times.

Every contribution is meaningful, but the Geometric Echoes visuals stand out as the emotional core of the issue. Each artist’s involvement—their mask, pose, and expression—adds layers of depth and personality to the entire publication. At the same time, the zine remains an open platform meant to invite as many diverse student voices as possible.

The Media Club hopes that when readers engage with the zine, they do more than simply look—they hope readers truly see the individuals behind the work. “It’s a reminder that these people exist,” said Wai Moe. “Recognition can be very powerful, especially when you’re feeling alone in an online community.”

This first issue is just the beginning. The Media Club plans to publish monthly and has 13 more masks waiting to be revealed. With each new edition, they aim to deepen the culture of creativity, expression, and student-led storytelling at Parami University.