all systems are go//godspeed 2.0

Spending the first twenty-ish minutes of our time together running in proverbial circles, the PAGE team finally commit to a single theme: the art heist. With a bit of coaxing and nudging, the concept was sold, winning over even the more dubious of the bunch (not without respectfully stamping the more abstract concepts we had considered into sheer oblivion). And righteously so! Our objective this year is to excite, to provoke curiosity, and to raise the eyebrows of those who normally wouldn’t. 

Now for the action plan. 

Step 1: Crafting the script. Ultimately, this will ignite the fuse of interest for submissions to the magazine. Aiming to maintain a tone of grave sincerity, our first idea entailed a mid-day PA announcement, describing the alleged ‘heist’ that took place within the very walls of our school. As the students of Woodson high (hopefully) peer around their classrooms with looks of pained confusion, we will flit in and out of their English return periods in pairs. Accompanied with an official-looking email ‘from the desk of Mr. Jeff Yost’ we will read his plea for justice by uncovering the perpetrator within the school. Keep in mind, however, the script needs to be written with a sense of fluidity. Somehow, the ample gap between “Mr. Yost’s heirloom oil painting has been stolen” and “the only way to solve the mystery is by submitting your most creative works” needs to be stitched together seamlessly. 

Step 2: An emblem needs to be designed. We need a sort of identifiable insignia that will eventually be branded into the minds of the student body, to be used on posters and ad campaigns throughout the year. In a distinctly ‘Men in Black’ fashion, our aim is to utilize the word “PAGE” in a thinly veiled acronym that describes us as the department heading the hunt for the thief—something such as The Protection of Art and Graphic Elements, The Promotion of Art and Guardship of its Endurance, et cetera.  As far as design goes, anything that seems official and government-related is fair game. Any lampoons of the CIA, FBI, or any police force crests will be appreciated. 

TO RECAP, THE TO DO LIST:

• Create a working script—both for the PA announcement and the mock email that we will read to the  classes.

• Decide upon a final “Department of PAGE” acronym and adhere it to a proper insignia.

• Create a rough draft of an ad campaign design to bring in for the next meeting. We have already discussed a variety of styles, including a ransom note type message from the thief, a ‘have you seen me’ poster reminiscent of milk carton missing ads, and a ‘lost dog/cat/animal’-style one, complete with tear-away flaps with submission information written (i.e. PAGE email & room number).

All in all, we are set in motion and ready to engage in one of the most promising and extraordinary themes that PAGE has yet to take on. Godspeed my friends.

issues 1.0 //unceremonious blog birth

The PAGE magazine team has hit an unprecedented detour.

Kicking off the year with a creative, engaging, and decidedly difficult topic, the first meeting of PAGE promised a magazine with an intriguing concept. Part jewel heist and part CSI case file, the theme idea oozed a sense of mystery and suspense. With an unfulfilled ‘whodunit’ ending, the concept would have left our readers flustered, yet at the same time, inexplicably satisfied.  

As we bounced design concepts back and forth, the issue of maintaining the integrity of submitted work began to emerge. We realized that we needed to change our course somehow.

And here we are. 

So what should be our next step? We’ve discussed the concepts of geocaching and the like as we try to preserve the essence of an enigmatic, decodable, mysterious theme—a la Dan Brown (with an entertaining link to a Dan Brown plot generator for your perusal). 

This lends itself to consideration: should our theme actually lead anywhere? Should there be a tangible prize for the most inquisitive Woodson student? Art? A plaque? A pat on the back?

food for thought!