OUSA and BOS magazines

[ahudson]

There's been a discussion going on recently about asking Origami Tanteidan to translate into English-- but it seems to me that if we're wanting good content, that's not the only approach. IMHO it would make more sense to ask the BOS and OUSA magazines to provide the content we want, as they already serve an English-speaking audience.

Case in point: I submit diagrams to both magazines, and they've explicitly told me they don't want anything beyond intermediate, 30 steps or less; furthermore the OUSA mag said they weren't really interested in technical articles (I never got around to asking BOS if they were).

It seems like addressing this would be a more direct solution than trying to translate Tanteidan... I'd be interested to hear what you guys thought about it though.

[pharmjod]

You bring up a point that I hadn't actually considered. I have wondered why OUSA and to a lesser extent BOS never seem to have any high intermediate or complex diagrams. I just assumed it was because they didn't have any / many submissions for anything other than simple to intermediate models. Is there a specific reason why they are looking for models 30 steps or less? I guess part of it is to try and be accessible to folders of all skill levels. I know personally I struggle with complex models usually in practice, but I really enjoy looking at diagrams and imagining the fold in my head. Also, at least from my perspective, it "rewards" subscribers or members with an interesting exclusive diagram.

Beyond not having any advanced diagrams, not having any articles that get into origami theory is also somewhat surprising to me as well. Any chance we could get an official response from OUSA (more out of curiosity than anything).

[Wizmatt]

I think a lot of it is down to the audience. In my experience in receiving BOS magazine and at conventions the members are maybe not at the same level of folding as the members of Tanteidan. And also may not be as enthusiastic about in depth theory, although there has been a few articles in BOS about theory.

With regard to the 30 steps or less, I think there could be an issue with the number of pages that a complex diagram takes up and therefore affect the printing cost.

I agree with ahudson, if you want more complex diagrams or a crease pattern challenge, or technical articles then contact them and ask. After all you are subscribing for it. At the last convention I went to there were several other young people who were enthusiastic about complex origami, maybe we should get involved more with the society and try to get some more complex stuff in there.

[ahudson]

I think a lot of it is down to the audience. In my experience in receiving BOS magazine and at conventions the members are maybe not at the same level of folding as the members of Tanteidan. And also may not be as enthusiastic about in depth theory, although there has been a few articles in BOS about theory.

Well one could say that they're serving their audience, but I would bring up the point that most of the younger generation of folders doesn't seem to be very involved with the established organization-- I didn't join until I found out it was a requirement for convention registration. Offering content that younger, more advanced folders are interested in could be a way to revitalize the organization-- both OUSA and BOS have aging member demographics, despite the fact that origami seems to be as popular as ever.

I suspect this is one of those cyclical things-- because Tanteidan has complex diagrams and technical articles, their membership learns from that and is more able to do their own complex and technical work. Because OUSA doesn't have much complex or designer-oriented material, our members don't tend to design as much, preferring just to follow simple diagrams.

Still, it's like music-- understanding the theory behind it helps you appreciate the art better, even if you don't want to make your own art. Shouldn't we as an organization be striving to educate our membership, so that they can understand what it is they fold?

[andssl]

Maybe the magazine can offer a simple or intermediate model combined with a complex model. Today origami magazines and origami convention books are the better material to keep up to date with outstanding designs and developments in the world of origami.

[childofsai]

Having submitted articles to BOS magazine many a time before, my experience with the editors is that they are happy to accept any form of article. I have submitted diagrams (the rare few) and also prose articles, all of which have been accepted. Whilst I am not a complex designer (or any form at that...) I know we have definitely had complex models in the magazine before.

Why not try?! BOS mag is always looking for more submissions...

childofsai

[marckrsh]

Speaking on behalf of myself (this is not an official OrigamiUSA response), I do know that there is a limited amount of space allotted for diagrams. Still, we have printed some pretty complex things, but most of that is reserved for the Origami Collection where we have more room to sprawl. I am surprised that a technical article was turned down - it might have been an issue of timing. I do know that the OrigamiUSA Board is taking a serious look now at its magazine to improve its appeal. - Marc

[Bugfolder]

Hi all,

Props to Marc for pointing out this thread. For those members (or potential future members) of OrigamiUSA who want to see complex diagrams and/or technical articles in our periodicals (and I am in that category), let your desires be known, e.g., by writing to Board members (you've already caught the attention of two of us) and/or posting on the topic on the members' mailing list (if you can stand the Yahoo Groups interface, which is not long for this world, btw).

And if you want to *submit* complex diagrams and/or technical articles, that's even better! Because, of course, having things submitted is a necessary condition for publishing them.

As Marc said, the Board is currently discussing options to, well, do things differently from the way they're done now. One of the things under consideration is putting more content on the website, which could be done by simply posting stuff there, or by creating a downloadable publication for members. Electronic publication, of course, has almost no limits on page count or word count. Any thoughts and/or interest in contributing to something like that?

Robert

[andssl]

I believe that a better way to subscribe the magazine through internet is a good idea. Sending printed formulary by mail is old fashionable.

[NickH]

I think Tanteidan have a very good format. A simple diagram (albeit often modular), a complex diagram, articles (technical and otherwise) and a crease pattern for the experts.

Can the origami world handle another such magazine? It seems Tanteidan are more focussed on their local market (as in not to keen to translate articles to English). If Origami USA published a magazine with a near identical format a) would there be enough complex diagrams for it (and tanteidan and the various convention books)? and b) would enough people subscribe? I know I would but only if a complex fold is included. I wouldn't drop my Tanteidan subsciption.

An e-subsription format would suit me fine.

just my 2 cents

[pharmjod]

I like paper subscriptions because there is just something about having a physical book / magazine in your hands. That said, I also tend to digitize anything that I own that I really like, so having an electronic form of the publication would also be pretty cool. I have no idea if it would be cost effective to have a digital subscription be one price and the regular subscription (paper magazine) be higher but include the digital version for free. That would be pretty sweet! I also have a love / hate relationship with OTM and the special edition diagrams. I have been a member now for 5 years and am always excited to see what the diagram is going to be but have been mildly disappointed the last few years. If OUSA would consider doing a special edition diagram yearly, that would be awesome as well. I am a member of OUSA, BOS and JOAS and find myself reading the BOS for the quirky humor that it is often written with and looking forward to JOAS for the diagrams (even if I don't / can't fold them). OUSA I support because I want to support it, but find myself less and less interested in the publication when it comes out. I can't quite put my finger on a specific reason, but in general it doesn't hold my interest the same way.

[HankSimon]

The only suggestion/request that I have is that any electronic publication be printable.

Having said that, it may be cheaper to add richer color to the electronic version, being prudent to select colors formats that accommodate conventional printers.

- Hank Simon

[archnemesis_goldenhair]

As someone who's wanted a membership, having a e-pub /or pdf magazine available for a different (lower) price sounds good. Due to various circumstances, the magazine would be the only benefit I'd receive and I'm just not willing to spend that much on the membership to get the magazine. Especially since they seem to only carry 4 diagrams or so per issue. That would only get me 12 models in a year for 30 bucks. I can, and do, buy books with many more diagrams, for a much cheaper price.