Charlie Blumberg


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Carnegie Mellon Design graduate, specializing in graphic design and photography, seeking to elevate brand experiences and consumer expectations.

Looking for work in NYC




Plain of Jars Zine


A zine exploring one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in the world, the Plain of Jars, through unique printing and construction techniques. 


The Plain of Jars in Laos is an ancient archaeological landscape featuring thousands of massive stone jars scattered across the Xiangkhoang Plateau. Dating back over 2,000 years, the jars are thought to have been used for burial or ceremonial purposes, though their exact function remains uncertain. In the 20th century, this site became heavily impacted by the Secret War (1964–1973), during which it endured extensive bombing campaigns, leaving behind unexploded ordnance that still threatens the region today. This pamphlet examines the Plain of Jars as a unique intersection of ancient history and the lasting scars of modern conflict.

Project Details:
Skills: Printmaking, Publication Design
Tools: Illustrator, InDesign, Risograph
Date: Spring 2024







Problem Significance

My mission was to shed light on the Plain of Jars as both an ancient marvel and a present-day issue.


Though the region holds immense cultural and historical value, it remains heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance as a result of U.S. bombing campaigns during the Secret War. Millions of bombs remain active in the soil, posing daily threats to local communities. Despite the scale of destruction, public knowledge of this history is limited, and meaningful U.S. accountability remains absent. The goal of this publication is to present the region’s layered history clearly and critically. It invites readers to consider how imperial violence shapes landscapes long after the fighting ends.






Creating the Identity

The visual identity of the zine is built around a continuous pattern based on traditional Laotian weaving techniques.

In Laos, textiles often serve as a way to tell stories, communicate cultural identity, and preserve history. I wanted to reflect that same approach by using pattern to tell the story of the Plain of Jars. The black diamond motif is adapted from regional weaving styles and runs throughout the zine to connect each part of the narrative. This approach allowed the design itself to act as a form of storytelling, carrying the reader through the history of the plateau in a way that echoes how the Lao people have shared their own stories for generations.




Above is an example of Lao textile design. I took notice of the similarities between the different icons featured throughout the designs, and how they each could be reconstructed using a diamond grid. I was playing a lot with the pattern tool in Illustrator, and saw similarities between Illustrator’s built-in pattern cutouts and the grid structure of Lao weaving techniques. It was through these ideas that I developed the pattern featured throughout, using an icon derived from Lao textile trends.






Above were some are some of my explorations into making patterns out of symbols found in the Lao textile design language.










 To strengthen this idea, the zine is presented as a single continuous accordion fold instead of a standard bound booklet. This structure allows it to be read in sequence or unfolded into one long piece where the entire timeline is visible at once. The format mirrors the unbroken nature of the woven pattern, linking past and present in one uninterrupted flow. When fully extended, the layout lets the reader see ancient history, the effects of war, and the present-day plateau side by side, creating a complete visual map of the story.


Below is one of my first tests of opening the zine...







Impact

 The reception I recieved from presenting this zine was exactly what I intended. The zine’s construction immediately drew people in, as many were intrigued by the continuous fold and the visual rhythm of the patterned timeline. As readers unfolded the pages and followed the chronology, it created an interactive experience that encouraged closer engagement with the content. This tactile process often led to meaningful conversations, especially with those unfamiliar with the history of the U.S. conflict in Laos. By presenting the information through both design and narrative, the zine became a starting point for dialogue and discovery.


Special thanks to Kelsey Elder for your insightful creative input, and Gregory Green of Cornell’s Asian Studies Department for your expert knowledge on the subject.














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