Cur. Chapter 3 Theme Development by Lifetouch

Yearbook Curriculum & Adviser Guide

A reference guide to train your yearbook staff

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Chapter 3 -

Theme Development

So...first we need a good

Theme

Unifying the book, reflecting the

year

One of the first duties of the yearbook staff is to select a theme that reflects their school for this particular year. The theme is a concept that everyone in the school can understand, and realize how it applies to them.

A good approach when selecting the theme is to host a staff discussion, answering the school analysis questions near the end of this chapter. Talk about your school — how it’s different from all other schools in your area, in your state and in your country.

What makes everyone proud of your school? What groups shine above all others? What words describe your student body? What concept will help your staff tell the story of the year?

When you’ve answered those questions and others, your theme will emerge. Once you’ve chosen it, you’ll want to discuss graphic elements, photos, words, colors and typography that will reflect the theme.

You will use those elements to unify your book verbally and visually.

Choosing the

Goal:

At the end of this unit, the editors and staff will select a theme reflective of the unique aspects of the school and the year and develop the theme verbally and visually throughout the book.

Objectives:

1. Staff members will exhibit an understanding of yearbook theme concepts and how they are developed within a yearbook.

2. Editors will lead class discussion, encourage input from the staff, examine students’ ideas and make the final decision on the book’s theme concept.

3. Editors will determine the thematic design, photo and copy strategies and teach those to the staff.

4. Staff members will plan and design pages following the editors’ instructions on thematic design, photo and copy strategies.

Methodology:

Staff members will complete the school analysis and concept exercise within this chapter and assist editors in the final theme development exercise near the end of the chapter.

Evaluation:

Editors will develop theme/theme packet according to the exercises near the end of this chapter with input from staff. Staff members will work in groups to create sample theme packets, as described in that exercise.

Why have a theme or concept?

The yearbook theme is the unifying device that holds the book together verbally and visually. The best themes reflect specific, unique aspects of the year. For example, if it’s an “odd year” numerically and if your school is facing new and different challenges, the staff might choose “One Odd Year” as the theme.

Spinoff theme

Each year, the Choctaw Middle School yearbook staff selects a theme related to the principal’s academic slogan she uses throughout the entire school year. The administrator chose “Waves of Change” for the school’s academic theme, so the yearbook staff picked“Waves of Change” for their yearbook concept. The staff used wavy lines on the cover and inside spreads to reflect the concept throughout the book.

If the school is making cuts due to a budget shortfall but trying to do more with less (fewer faculty, less money, etc.), the staff might select “Less is More” as the theme.

If there are no unusual aspects to the upcoming year, the staff might focus on the unique personalities within the school, using “You-nique” as the theme.

Choctaw Middle School • Choctaw, OK

Choosing the

What works for one school may not work for another.

Choose a theme that truly reflects the events and personalities within your school.

Yearbooks without defining concepts or themes often lack continuity. Let the concept dictate the book’s look, using design elements, typography and photos to help readers understand the unifying idea. Also use theme-related words or phrases in section

Location theme

To remind students of their proximity to the Rocky Mountains, editors choose a theme to emphasize the school’s mile-high elevation.

The capital A and V in “Elevate” are cut through the cover to reveal a mountain scene on the front endsheet. The staff included the names of the graduation seniors in the shape of “17” on the back cover.

titles, copy, captions and secondary coverage modules (small copy areas that supplement the main story, such as quote areas, timelines, etc.) to tie the book to the theme.

Theme development elements

The theme statement or a reference to it appears on the cover. The unifying idea also appears on the title page (page one), opening spread, dividers and closing pages. If a staff chooses to print on the endsheets, the theme appears

on the endsheet with theme-inspired titles for each section of the book. If the staff doesn’t print on the endsheets, the contents can be placed on pages two or three.

Academy High School • Westminster, CO

Theme • 3

Choosing the

Theme

Developing your throughout the book

Where to include the theme

Cover

Introduce your theme on the cover using words designed as a logo that embodies the theme concept. In this cover example (right), “empowered” comprises the theme logo. When designing your theme logo, select readable type that reflects the book’s theme and personality.

Cover designs may include photos, foil applications, silkscreened ink, embossing, grain treatments, colored materials or die cuts. It’s important to create a cover design that visually symbolizes the theme.

Endsheets

Endsheets continue the look of the theme and include theme-related section titles. Near those titles, readers should see the content of each section and the section’s starting page number. Designers may also use photos that represent each section. This practice helps designers include more students in the book.

Cover

The theme starts on the cover. Typography, graphics and colors start “the look” for the book and continue to the inside.

Front endsheet

Cut-out-background photos represent the sections. Titles for each portion of the book relate to the theme.

Title page

Page one of every book includes theme-related photos and essential information related to the school, i.e., school name, address, year, book’s name, school website and volume number.

Student life divider

Division page dividers use elements from the cover and opening spread, including them on the introductory pages for each section. This practice creates visual continuity throughout the book.

Title page

Opening

Pages 2-3 in the book introduce the theme with theme-related words and photos.

Page one of your yearbook introduces readers to the school, its location and the students who attend classes there. Include essential information, such as school name and address, phone and fax number, year, book’s title, school’s website and volume number.

Opening section and dividers

Think of the opening section as the introduction to the theme. Design elements mirror those on the cover. Captions, copy and headlines relate to the theme. Theme copy features specifics about the year in a creative style that represents the theme.

Division pages are designed as facing pages in a style that reflects the opening and closing spreads.

Developing

Academics divider

Division page designers include graphics from the cover and feature photos symbolizing the section content.

Sports divider

Cut-out-background photos represent the sections. Titles for each portion of the book relate to the theme.

Dividers

Designed in a style similar to the opening, dividers tell readers that a new section follows. Divider copy is written in the same style as the opening copy with references to specific people and events that relate to each section.

The sports divider features photos of sports involving both genders, practices and games from varied seasons.

Developing

Clubs divider

Photos representing the section content invite readers to explore the organizations section.

People divider

Designers maintain divider consistency using the same typographical treatments, graphics and design strategies.

Dividers (continued)

Photo content on division pages represents a variety of stories included within the section. For example, the academics divider might include pictures from classroom experiments, presentations, study methods and student

Developing

Student life spread

Topic: Rodeo

Telling all aspects of the story through the lens of the camera causes readers to spend time with each spread. Cutout-background photos with identifications and quotes add depth to the coverage. The primary headline reflects the “power” theme.

Student life spread

Topic: Talent show

Images show a variety of students performing in the all-school talent show. Designers use consistent typography for headlines, captions, copy and quote areas throughout the book to create a “whole book look.” The “power” graphic, taken from the cover, repeats on each spread to visually unify the book. The headline and secondary coverage title relate to the theme.

reactions to class activities.

The sports divider features photos of sports involving both genders, practices and games from varied seasons.

Section designs include theme references

Emphasize the theme through concept-related headlines for secondary coverage modules (i.e., quote areas, timelines, mini-features, etc.). The titles can relate to the actual theme of the book or to each section’s concept-related title. For example, if the section title is “The Power to Enjoy,” the editor might title a small module with “Enjoying Our Pastimes.”

Section editors may want to use a word from the spread or section title as inspiration for secondary module titles.

In the theme samples in this curriculum, the staff uses “Empowered” as the theme, reflecting the school’s namesake, Thomas Edison, and his “powerful” inventions. The staff found stories that reflect the theme, too, and emphasize the “power” angle in the primary headline on each spread.

Developing

Student life

spread

Topic: Cowgirl fashion

Maintaining a consistent look, designers include small cutouts embedded in a secondary coverage module near the bottom of the spread. Quotes from students describing their love for cowgirl fashion replace the traditional story.

“Power” is embedded into the primary headline and secondary module title.

Student life spread

Topic: The fair

A secondary module includes students’ reactions to the fair with quotes placed under each student’s photo. Secondary modules also include cutouts with quotes and four candid photos of students with their comments on the “power”of the fair.

Section designs feature theme-related titles

To continue references to the theme in the student life section, designers include the word “power” in some titles for secondary modules.

Section editors created a look for each part of the book, reflecting the look of opening spread and dividers.

Either theme-development method is fine so long as the reader understands the connection to the concept.

Although it’s ideal to use theme-related titles on all secondary coverage modules, it’s not always possible or necessary to do so.

Telling the story through secondary packages adds depth and dimension to coverage. Using theme-related titles for those modules is an added bonus to the book.

Developing

Student life spread

Topic: Pets

Telling all aspects of the story through the lens of the camera causes readers to spend time with each spread. Cutouts with identifications and quotes add depth to the coverage. The primary headline reflects the “power” theme.

Academics spread

Topic: Dance class

To include everyone involved in the dance program, designers showcase action shots of each performer with identifications and, in some instances, expanded captions or quotes

Section designs unify book

To help readers better understand the story, plan the content of each spread before designing it. Include a variety of secondary modules designed with consistent typography, colors and lines to tell all aspects of the story and to maintain the “whole book look.”

Other unifying design elements include candid photos inset into the dominant picture, an overlapping cut-out-background photo placed on top of the dominant and smaller cutouts to accompany the secondary modules or headlines.

Developing

Academics spread

Topic: How students study

Including the thematic word in the headline and secondary module title, designers create a visual spread to remind readers of students’ study methods.

Academics spread

Topic: Chemistry experiments

To cover the science department, section editors create a spread featuring students conducting and reacting to experiments in chemistry class. The thematic word repeats in the primary headline and secondary coverage module. Secondary modules add depth to the coverage.

Academics section continues the look

On the top spread, the primary headline includes the theme-related word “power” to connect with the overall topic, student study methods.

The secondary module title includes the embedded word “power” to address students’ study habits in photos and words.

On the bottom academics spread, designers use a similar strategy to title the spread and secondary modules with theme-related words.

Developing

Sports spread

Topic: Soccer

A small scoreboard works with a horizontal line along the top of the spread to tie facing pages together. A secondary module (the photo series across the bottom) contains a theme-related word in the title to echo the theme on the spread.

Sports spread Topic: Winning

gymnastics team

Small action photos embedded into the dominant add visual interest and depth to the coverage. Face shots with identifications across the top of the spread tie facing pages together and provide additional content. Key words in the primary headline and module title tie the spread to the theme.

Sports section features thematic titles

Section designers continue to develop the theme verbally and visually through headlines, secondary module titles, typography and graphics to give the publication a “whole book look.”

Developing

Sports spread

Topic: Football state champs

Candid, close-up photos feature important moments in the state championship game. Primary and secondary titles emphasize the verbal aspects of the theme.

Organizations spread

Topic: Band

Large and small cut-out-background photos continue the “whole book look,”working in conjunction with photos and headlines.

Modules expand coverage

Small photo modules continue to tell the story thematically. A unique sports scoreboard design provides valuable reader information without conflicting with photo content.

Developing

Organizations spread

Topic: Volunteering

Designers maintain thematic unity using consistent typography, graphics and color.

Organizations spread

Topic: Community service

One theme-related module ties facing pages together across the top of the spread. The title for the small module across the bottom of the spread describes the content with no reference to the theme. Group photos of volunteer organizations are placed down the right side.

Section designs

Within each section, designers include verbal references to the theme in primary headlines and in titles for secondary coverage modules.

People spread

Topic: Faculty empowered through teaching

Members of the faculty and staff are included in the people section with the same design strategy used in other portions of the portraits section.

People spread

Topic:

Seniors celebrate diversity

By placing names to the outside of the portrait blocks, designers leave space for additional coverage.

Following the look of the cut-out-background personality photos, designers include three profiles on the left side and a quote area featuring candid shots of students and their responses to questions on the right side.

Portrait designs

In the people section, place names to the outsides of portrait blocks. This will allow designers to include secondary coverage modules.

Developing

People

spread

Topic:

Juniors help less fortunate

Individual cutouts are placed as a group to feature the contributions of different class members on this horizontal portrait spread. A quote module on the top adds depth to the coverage.

People spread

Topic:

Sophomores learn life’s lessons

Featuring cutouts and quotes, section editors explore a variety of lessons sophomores experience during their first years of high school. A secondary module on the right side provides additional insight into the topic.

Portrait designs continued

Editors continue the look of the portrait section using cutouts, graphics, consistent typography, secondary modules and color. The designs fit the thematic appearance of the entire book, providing further unity.

Designers continue the same plan for all classes, teachers and staff, to unify the section and maintain the thematic look of the book.

Developing

Advertising

spread

Topic: Parent ads

In some instances, students or parents design congratulatory ads. The staff can create templates with standard type faces and sizes, borders and graphics to create an eye-pleasing look.

Advertising spread

Topic:

Pre-designed ads from companies or parents

Using contrast between light and dark ads is a good technique to use when placing pre-designed ads.

Ad section designs fit into the book’s look

It is acceptable to mandate standards when building ads with photos and words provided by parents. Such standards include type faces, sizes, borders, colors and graphics.

If parents provide pre-designed ads, vary the sizes on the spread and use the lines of the dominant photo to guide readers to the inside of the spread.

Developing

Index spread

Topic:

Friendship photos

Adding candid photos in a series across the bottom of the spread ties facing pages together and adds depth to the coverage. Designers break up gray space by introducing each letter of the alphabet in the index with large type and photos, adding visual interest to the design.

Index and editors’ spread

Topic:

Editors’ notes of thanks and colophon

Designers include the end of the index with the colophon and acknowledgements. The colophon contains detailed information about the book. The acknowledgements area allows editors to thank those who helped them produce the publication.

Index designs

Maintaining the “whole book look,” index editors include a large cut-out-background photo with a special quote and a secondary module across the bottom of the spread. Candid pictures placed near each large introductory letter in the index add visual interest and more extensive coverage of the students to the spread.

Developing

Closing spread

Topic:

End-of-year activities

The final double-page spread, space permitted, is devoted to the closing section, the “final chapter” of the book. Using images from end-of-the-year activities, designers wrap up the year in words and photos.

Parting page

Topic: Senior class

The final page of the book also includes end-of-the-year photos and a theme-related headline to wrap up the year.

Back endsheet

Topic:

End-of-year images

Printing images from the end of the school year on the back endsheet adds more coverage opportunities and finalizes the concept for readers.

Ending theme spreads

The last double-page spread in the book serves as the “final chapter” for readers. The copy, captions and headline feature theme-related words. Images reflect end-of-the-year activities.

The parting page is the last page of the book and is designed as a single page that includes a wrap-up of the final portion of the year. The headline is related to the theme. Copy and captions include words that reflect the concept.

The back endsheet, if printed, might include images from the end of the school year and a theme-related headline.

Developing the

resources and ideas

Where to find ideas

Theme ideas are everywhere: The shopping mall, on the internet, in publications, on billboards and on television, to name a few. College view books are excellent resources for theme/concept ideas. The most important aspect of theme is that it is relevant, fresh and representative of the school year.

The following pages contain examples of theme ideas that were popular among students who purchased books.

Relevant theme

In observance of their fifth year as a school, Trivium Preparatory Academy staff members chose the theme “Trivium” with an emphasis on the “V,” symbolic of the Roman numeral for “five.”

The staff used angled lines in a variety of ways throughout the book to reflect the diagonal lines of the letter,“V.”

Theme with meaning and purpose

Relevant themes have meaning and value for all students. The Trivium Preparatory Academy theme celebrates the school’s fifth anniversary, in which every teacher, administrator and student participated. Note how the staff used the diagonal lines on the cover and throughout the book to symbolize the concept.

Trivium Preparatory Academy Goodyear,

Echoing the theme verbally and visually

To continue the fifth anniversary concept on dividers, and to make the theme evident to non-staff members, editors use headlines with the letter “V,” increasing its size for emphasis.

Repeating concept

An oversized “V” embedded in the section title emphasizes the theme on the academics divider. The letter is placed over the dominant photo, creating an angled look on the spread.

Matching idea

Continuing to emphasize the fifth-year theme, designers include the word “victorious” in the sports divider headline.

Trivium Preparatory Academy Goodyear, AZ

Design elements sustain the look

Section designers incorporate angled lines in secondary coverage modules and in other design elements.

Diagonal lines

Using the lines of the dominant photo, designers use angled lines to point readers toward the copy, also set in a diagonal manner. Small, angled photos illustrate the secondary module at the bottom of the spread.

Designers create angled photos with captions along picture edges for thematic emphasis.

Slanted line module

Trivium Preparatory Academy Goodyear, AZ

Ideas

Theme

resources and ideas

A sense of place

Reminding readers of their school’s location and emphasizing their school’s colors, designers place a map of Arkansas behind the theme logo and institution’s seal. The theme, “Purple Reign,” a play on words, symbolizes the students’ love for their school.

Pride theme

Using a school color, editors feature “purple” in the theme logo, placing it on a gray, textured map of the school’s location. A large seal includes an image of the mascot.

Berryville High School Berryville, AR

School color emphasized

Designers use colorized, full-spread images to add contrast to the opening and dividers, accentuating the colorful theme.

Strong contrast

Theme editors draw readers into the dominant photo on dividers using a colorization technique to feature the French horn and section title, while de-emphasizing the rest of the photo.

A purple rectangle of semi-transparent color showcases the opening copy and echoes the color in the thematic headline.

Color block

Berryville High School

Berryville, AR

School colors featured in photos

To continue emphasizing the “Purple Reign” theme, sports editors feature photos of athletes wearing home game uniforms.

Color echo

Designers pull purple from the photos and repeat the color in the headline and rectangular block to emphasize the theme concept.

Unifying elements

Consistent typography, folios and color elements create visual continuity.

Berryville High School

Berryville, AR

resources and ideas

Defining identity

To emphasize students’ personalitites and interests, this staff chose “Identity” as their theme. A large paw print embedded in the type reflects the school’s mascot and brings together the varied personalities.

Overlapping type

Varying type sizes and weights merge to symbolize members of the student body and their unique qualities. The paw print reflects the school’s mascot, the cougar, tying the personalities together as a unified student body.

Cactus Canyon Junior High School Apache Junction, AZ

Clever thematic tie-in

Highlighting “id” in secondary headline words carries the theme through each section in a unique way. On dividers, “id” appears under words describing traits of students involved in activities within each section.

Divider descriptors

Editors place words describing traits of students involved in the athletic program on top of the theme/concept, “id.” Each division page featured a similar design with words and photos reflecting the section content.

Theme emphasis

Throughout the book, editors include words with “id” embedded in secondary headlines. The letters are consistently featured in red within the secondary portions of each headline.

Cactus Canyon Junior High School Apache Junction, AZ

Photo modules and captions

To add visual variety to double-page spreads, designers include small photo clusters with captions to contrast with dominant photos. Designers maintain consistency in typography throughout the publication.

Driving the theme

Sports section editors use red to highlight “id” in one word in each secondary headline within the section.

Contrast in sizes

Large, dynamic images pull readers into each spread. Smaller pictures provide contrast for readers. Consistent typography and graphics provide visual unity throughout the book.

Cactus Canyon Junior High School Apache Junction, AZ

Theme

resources and ideas

Classic cover pulls readers into the book

A raised image on the cover with gold foil words and numbers invites readers to explore “The Brief” from Choate Rosemary Hall. The staff reveals the theme on the front endsheet.

Detailed embossing

An image of the school is featured on the front cover, symbolizing the book’s theme, “I’m in the Brief,” in a unique way. The staff reveals the theme on the front endsheet.

Choate Rosemary Hall High School Wallingford, CT

Elements of repetition

Using phrases beginning with “I’m in,” editors introduce the theme and the book’s contents on the front endsheet. A unique design symbolizes the “in” concept with photos placed inside parallelograms and color blocks.

Repeating ‘in’

Every section’s title starts with “in,” providing an element of repetition to introduce each section to readers.

Divider consistency

Placing the dominant photo in a unique picture window and adding smaller pictures across the bottom, designers give readers glimpses into the section content that follows.

Choate Rosemary Hall High School Wallingford, CT

Continuous elements

The dark blue background, gold circle, rectangular bar and dominant photo design provide thematic unity for readers.

Symbolic dominant

The large photo on each divider represents the content of each section it introduces.

Thematic words Writers include words beginning with “in” throughout divider copy areas.

Choate Rosemary Hall High School Wallingford, CT

Theme

resources and ideas

Focus on community

A local artist provides a detailed, full-cover image symbolizing the concept, “Never Forget Your Roots.” Gold foil words contrast with the black-and-white image.

Historic record

To feature each individual’s importance to the school and community, editors remind students of their heritage, events and interests and how such influences have impacted their lives.

East Coweta High School Sharpsburg, GA

Unifying design

Using purple color blocks, designers direct readers to headlines and secondary coverage modules throughout the book.

Secondary modules

A photo essay is attached to the dominant photo and to a purple color block that extends across the double-page spread. Designers add a Q and A module to expand coverage.

Guiding readers

Subjects in the dominant photos point readers toward headlines and copy areas. Consistency with type, color and folios maintains the “whole book look.”

East Coweta High School

Sharpsburg, GA

Seasonal coverage

Editors organize the book by seasons, using drawings of trees representing autumn, winter and spring on dividers. Colors used in horizontal blocks echo colors in images to provide visual continuity.

Featured area

A red color block extends across the facing pages and features a special event honoring bus drivers. Other topics covered on the spread include Ultimate Frisbee and Mole Day. Verbal-visual

A strong photo of cheerleaders raised above the heads of their teammates connects with the headline, “Uplifting the Spirit.”

East Coweta High School

Sharpsburg,

Theme

resources and ideas

Die cut reveals image on endsheet

The letter “i” is enlarged and cut through the cover to personalize the theme and catch the readers’ attention.

Eye-catching cover

A perfectly placed image on the front endsheet shows through the die cut in the cover and pulls readers into the book.

James Clemens High School Madison, AL

Contents revealed

Images symbolizing each aspect of the book appear in the table of contents on the front endsheet. Dominant photos on division pages connect with the section titles.

Perpendicular titles

To reflect the strong, vertical “i” in the die cut, designers place section headlines at a 90-degree angle in the contents.

Designers echo the bright yellow in the dominant picture in words and letters, as well as in a color block to link the facing pages.

Color tie-in

James Clemens High School Madison, AL

Linking facing pages

Section designers use photo series across the top of each sports spread to connect the facing pages.

Dominant elements

Pulling readers into each spread, designers place eye-catching action photos near the center, connecting facing pages and representing the topic.

Featured cutouts

Key players are profiled in the lower left corner of each spread in the sports section.

James Clemens High School Madison, AL

resources and ideas

Environmental pride

Transmitting a sense of place, Syracuse Schools cover designers feature a textured photo of a wheat field. Syracuse Schools are located in western Kansas where farming is an important part of the town’s economy.

Tri-concept theme

Editors use a three-concept theme, “Expand, Evolve and Endure,” using three dividers instead of the traditional five. The triangular shape reflects the “tri” concept. Copper foil lines emphasize the diagonal look.

Syracuse Schools Syracuse, KS

Symbolic theme design

To emphasize the “three” concept, designers include triangular graphics and diagonal lines, echoing the look of the cover.

Contents design

On the front endsheet, angular modules feature each portion of the book and include photos representing each section.

Colorful triangles spill down the divider, reflecting the book’s thematic design. A striking image pulls readers into the spread and provides distinct visual contrast for readers.

Lively look

Syracuse Schools Syracuse, KS

Diagonal designs continue

Angular lines maintain the look of each section in a unique, thematic style. Sports spreads feature a dominant photo with one slanted side. Activities spreads include a block placed at an angle across the facing pages, anchoring the headline and secondary modules.

Angled approach

Angled color blocks serve as foundations for secondary coverage modules in the sports section. Copy set diagonally profiles key players.

Oblique slices

Giving the activities section a distinctive look, designers maintain the slant of the blue color block, cutting the photos and placing the headline on the same angle.

Syracuse Schools Syracuse, KS

Theme

resources and ideas

Catch phrase provides a glimpse inside

Cutting words through the front portion of the cover gives readers a peek inside the book. A montage of faces appears on the front endsheet with only portions of it showing through the die cut.

Spirited theme

On the cover, school colors work with the book’s theme, “Got Life?,” to display the respect and pride students have for their school.

Treasure Coast High School Port St. Lucie, FL

Repeating word

Spinning off the “Got Life”” theme, editors repeat the concept in each headline within the book.

Color combinations

Designers create the “whole book look” by pulling colors from one or more photos on each spread and maintaining consistent typography throughout the book.

Concept headlines

Writers use a thematic approach to incorporate words relating to each topic when introducing stories.

Treasure Coast High School

Port St. Lucie, FL

Keeping the look

Using typography and graphics, designers create a unified flow through the publication.

Striking dominants

Large, storytelling moments serve as points of visual entry, showcasing the content on each spread.

Using a large teal color block behind photos, designers tie together facing pages. Small action shots feature players wearing magenta, providing an element of repetition on the spread.

Spread linkage

Treasure Coast High School

Port St. Lucie, FL

Theme

resources and ideas

Colorful theme

To represent the concept, “In Living Color,” designers create a series of paint splashes on a solid black background in the upper third of the cover.

Word emphasis

An informal script type face calls attention to the key word in the theme logo.

Union Grove High School McDonough, GA

Ideas

Dynamic, storytelling photos

A colorful dominant photo illustrates the opening spread, symbolizing the theme, “In Living Color.” A “colorful personality” picture pulls readers into the travel spread.

Rainbow gradient

A colorful rectangular bar links facing pages together on the opening spread.

Word emphasis

Designers fill one key headline word with a rainbow gradient to symbolize the theme.

Union Grove High School McDonough, GA

Working with color

Blue paint splashes emphasize the headline on the school spirit spread. Below, a maroon color bar features personality shots of cheerleaders across the top of the spread. Both methods use spot color to echo the theme, “In Living Color.”

Subtle spot color

To form an element of repetition on the spread, designers include one of the school’s colors in a key headline word and in a color bar across the top of the spread.

Headline emphasis

To maintain the thematic look, blue paint splatters and a color bar drive readers to the headline and copy. The colors were pulled from a student’s shirt in the dominant photo.

Union Grove High School McDonough, GA

Theme

Additional resources and ideas

Visual play on words

Editors select the theme “In Our Element,” using the Periodic Table as a inspiration for the cover design and interior pages.

Clever concept

Using square graphics and large type, editors begin the thematic design on the cover.

Yulee Middle School Yulee, FL

Ideas

Developing the look

Writers incorporate the “element” concept in divider headlines with section content echoed in the square design title on the cover. Headlines work with photos, attracting readers to each spead. Secondary module titles reflect the theme.

Meaningful words

On every divider, a strong, theme-related statement carries readers across the spread and works with the photos representing the section.

Clever headline

To connect with the photo, section editors include a headline that reflects the dominant photo.

The title for the secondary coverage area in the upper right corner reflects the theme.

Yulee Middle School

Yulee, FL

Echoing the theme with headline designs

To drive the concept through sections, editors include references to the Periodic Table of Elements in their headline designs.

Modular look

Candid photos placed in a series down the left side of the spread add depth to the book’s photo coverage. The headline design reflects the thematic look. An informational graphic on the right side reflects the topic covered in a clever, theme-related way.

Thematic designs

Using the look of the Periodic Table of Elements, section editors create unique headline designs to introduce special coverage topics throughout the book.

Yulee Middle School Yulee, FL

and ideas

Theme related to academic year concept

Each year, the principal at Choctaw Middle School creates a theme for the academic school year. In keeping with this year’s idea, “Waves of Change,” the yearbook staff chose the concept, “Making Waves.” Using curved lines and bouncing photos on the cover, cover designers reflected the “wave” concept.

Looks like the ocean

To symbolize the concept, “Waves of Change,” cover designers use school colors and curved graphics beneath bouncing photos of the student body at a pep assembly.

Choctaw Middle School Choctaw, OK

Waving graphics

Curved color bars mimic the wavy lines on the cover and frame candid photos related to the topic covered on the spread.

Cutout callouts

Cut-out-background photos are placed close to headlines to attract readers to the words.

Wavy lines anchor cutouts at the top and bottom of the spread, reflecting the cover design.

Thematic look

Choctaw Middle School

Choctaw, OK

Working with photos and graphics

To give each spread a dynamic look, designers place dominant photos with faces or bodies guiding readers toward the center of each spread. Wavy graphics and cutouts on each spread complete the thematic look.

Related titles

In keeping with the theme, “Making Waves,” editors use thematic titles for secondary coverage elements. Notice how the Ebb and Flow headline for the quote area on the right side of the spread reflects the concept.

Anchoring faces

Designers anchor candid face shots with identifications to wavy lines across the bottom of the spread to form a thematic secondary coverage module. Curved lines also highlight the headlne at the top of the spread.

Choctaw Middle School Choctaw, OK

Ideas

Theme ideas

Use this list to help you find an appropriate slogan for your school this year. Brainstorm with your team to develop it fully and make it memorable, relevant and right for your yearbook. Support your theme with consistent and unique design, specific, well-written copy, and great, storytelling photos.

1,000 strong and growing

100 years to get it right

100% genuine

100% natural

2,000 possibilities

3 of a kind

5.4.3.2.1.

9 lives

AA banner year

A bird’s eye view

A century in focus

A century of excellence

A certain kind of cool

A certain point of view

A change of pace

A chip off the old block

A closer look

A common ground

A complete package

A cut above the rest

A day at a time

A day in the life

A delicate balance

A different perspective

A different point of view

A dramatic comeback

A dynasty like no other

A face in the crowd

A first class label

A first time for everything

A fork in the road

A fraction of time

A full revolution

A glance back

A good thing going

A horse of a different color

A ‘Knight’ to remember

A language of our own

A league of our own

A little bit more

A little bit of everything (except girls)

A little give and take

A little off center

A little rough around the edges

A lot to remember

A matter of time

A method to the madness

A modest proposal

A must see

A name you recognize

A new combination

A new day and age

A new direction

A new horizon

A new twist

A novel approach

A novel idea

A okay

A part of history

A paws in time

A penny for your thoughts

A perfect ten

A picture is worth 2,000 words

A race against time

A rare combination

A roaring twenty

A sense of pride

A side never seen

A step ahead

A step beyond

A story to be told

A study in contrasts

A time for change

A time for everything

A touch of silver in solid gold

A turn in the road

A two for one special

A uniform way

A view from the valley

A vision becomes reality

A walk on the wild side

A way with words

A whole new ball game

A work in progress

A world of difference

A world of possibilities

A year ‘2’ acknowledge

A year like no other

A year worth looking at

About face

Above & beyond

Above it all

Absence of moderation

According to all accounts

Across the board

Acting our age

Actions speak louder than words

After all is said and done

After the fact

Again and again

Ahead of our time

Ahead of the rest

AKA (Also known as)

All about change

All about us

All and all

All at once

All better now

All eyes on us

All in one piece

All in the mix

All in the numbers

All of our memories

All of a sudden

All of the above

All others are green with envy

All over the place

All over town

All part of the picture

All part of the plan

All that shimmers

All things aside

All things said and done

All together now

‘All-ways’

All worked up

All wound up

All wrapped up in tradition

All’s well that ends well

Alone together

Along for the ride

Along the way

Alpha & Omega

Alphabetical order

Always and forever

Always first

Always never the same

Always room for more

An A for effort

An acquired taste

An all-out effort

An American classic

An eye for style

An inside look

Anatomy of (your mascot)

And don’t you forget it

And it all comes together

And now for something completely different

And now it’s your turn

And so it was

And that’s just the half of it

And the story begins...

And then some

And then there was one

And your point is...

Any given day

Any way you look at it

Any way you say it

Anything and everything

Anything but ordinary

Are we caught up yet?

Are we for real?

Are we having fun yet?

Are we Lion?

Are we there yet?

Are you connected?

Are you ready?

Aren’t you the one?

Around the block

As a matter of fact

As a rule

As big as life

As different as ‘Knight’ and day

As far as anyone knows

As far as it goes

As far as we’re concerned

As good as done

As good as gold

As good as it gets

As long as we’re together

As luck would have it

As we know it

As we see it

Aspire to inspire

At a loss for words

At best

At face value

At first glance

At it again

At long last

At the crossroads

At the peak

At the rainbow’s end

At your own risk

Attitude is everything

BBack and forth

Back in circulation

Back in the day

Back on track

Back to back

Back to square one

Back to the beginning

Backed by tradition

Background check

Basic questions. Basic answers.

Basic training

Be all you can ‘B’

Be yourself

‘Bear’ necessities

‘Bear’ with us

Beating the odds

Been there, done that

Before long

Before you know it

Before ... after

Beginner’s luck

Behind the scenes

Believe it or not

Beneath the surface

Best in the west

Best kept secret

Better late than never

Better look twice

Better yet

Between extremes

Beyond a shadow of a doubt

Beyond belief

Beyond expectations

Beyond imagination

Beyond our wildest dreams

Beyond the breaking point

Beyond the expected

Beyond the obvioUS

Beyond the shore

Beyond tradition

Beyond words

Big deal

Bigger and better

Bits and pieces

Black tie and blue jeans

Blazing a trail

Block party

Bluestreaks

Body, heart, spirit

Bound and determined

Bound to be different

Boxed in

Boxed set

Boys will be boys

Brace yourself

Break out of the box

Break the mold

Breaking barriers

Breaking new ground

Breaking out

Breaking the surface

Bridging the gap

Bring it on

‘Bruin’ up a storm

Bugging out

Building blocks

Building new traditions

Building on excellence

Built to last

Burning bright

Bursting at the seams

Bursting on the scene

But who are we really?

But who’s counting?

By all accounts

By all means

By any other name

By definition

By George, we’ve done it!

By popular demand

By the book

By the numbers

By the way

By word of mouth

CCall it what you want

Can you believe it?

Can you dig it?

Can you top this?

Capture the moment

Carved in stone

Case in point

Catch us if you can

Caught in the act

Caught in the middle

Caught in the shuffle

Caught red-handed

Cause & effect

Causing an uproar

Center of attention

Certain restrictions may apply

Change by design

Change for the better

Change your tune

Changing directions

Changing faces

Changing tides

Changing with the tides

Chaos unfolding

Chapter two

Character counts

Charmed life

Charting your course

Check this out

Check us out

Choices

Choosing up sides

Classic way to spend a quarter

Clearly the exception

Close to home

Coincidence?

Color outside the lines

Color commentary

Combinations

Come and get it

Come as you are

Coming in loud and clear

Coming to a school near you

Common threads

Complete

Completely unforgettable

Connected

Connections

Consider the possibilities

Consistently good

Continuing the legacy

Continuing the story

Contradictions

Contrary to popular belief

Controlled chaos

Couldn’t have done it without you

Count on it

Count us in

Countdown

Counting on character

Crossing lines

Crossing paths

Cutting loose

DDare you

Day after day

Day to day

Days, hours, seconds

Deal with it

Deep impact

Define us

Defining character

Defining moments

Defining the future

Déjà vu

Despite it all

Details

Diamond in the rough

Did you know?

Different by design

Diffusion

Diversity

Do a double take

Do you have what it takes?

Do you like what you see?

Doing it right the first time

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it

Don’t count us out

Don’t hold back

Don’t hold your breath

Don’t miss a thing

Don’t take us for granted

Don’t worry about it

Done it, said it, noted, quoted

Double take

Double talk

Double vision

Down to the wire

Dramatic differences

Draw your own conclusions

Drawing you in

Dream catcher

Dream, dare, do

Dreaming out loud

Dreams

Dreams made real

EEarning our stripes

Easier said than done

Eastside story

Easy come, easy go

Echoes

Emotion

End of an era

End of the line

Endless possibilities

Energized

Enjoy the view

Enough is enough

Enough said

Equally different

Etc.

Every dog has its day

Every day counts

Every day matters

Every ending is a new beginning

Every inch of the way

Every last one

Every minute counts

Every now and then

Every second counts

Every shade of blue

Every step of the way

Everything and more

Everything from A to Z

Everything under the sun

Everything you never expected

Evolving

Exactly the same

Excellence without excuse

Excellence (the year)

Exclusively now

Excuse the interruptions

Expect more

Expect the unexpected

Express yourself

ExTENsions

Extreme exposure

Eye of the storm

FF.Y.I.

Face it

Face to face

Faces and places

Fall in line

Falling into place

Far from it

Fast forward

Feature presentation

Figure it out

Filling in the blanks

Filling the gap

Finding yourself

Finishing touches

Fired up

First and foremost

First class

First the good news

First things first

Fits us to a “T”

Five of a kind

Flipping channels

Flying first class

Focus

Food for thought

For a good time, call ...

For all it’s worth

For all the right reasons

For keeps

For real

For the moment

For the record

For those who know us

For whatever it’s worth

Foundations

Four of a kind

Frame by frame

Freeze frame

From blueprints to footprints

From day to day

From every angle

From here to there

From our point of view

From reel to real

From start to finish

From the ground up

From the heart

From the word go

From time to time

Frozen in time

Full capacity

Full circle

Full house

Full of wonder

Fun and games

Gaining attention

Games we play

Generation next

Get a clue

Get a head start

Get a life

Get a move on

Get comfortable

Get it together

Get over it

Get ready to ...

Get real

Get serious

Get set

Get the message?

Get the picture

Get to the point

Get what’s coming to you

Getting carried away

Getting down to business

Getting in the last word

Getting it down on paper

Getting the blues

Getting there is half the fun

Getting to know our way

Getting what we deserve

Give it all you’ve got

Give us a break

Giving credit where credit is due

Go for it

Goes without saying

Going all out

Going on and on

Going places

Going to town

Going, going, gone

Gold rush

Gold through and through

Golden opportunities

Good and ready

Good as gold

Good things come in small packages

Got life?

Gotta love it

Grin and ‘Barrett’ (school name)

Grounds for change

Growing by leaps and bounds

Guess you had to be there

HHave it made

Have it your way

Have we got news for you

Have what it takes

Have you ‘herd?’

Having the last laugh

Heading in the right direction

Heard that before Heart of gold

Here and now

Here and there

Here’s looking @ you

Hey, have you heard?

History in the making

Hold everything

Hold it!

Holding fast

Honor, truth, duty

Hooked together

Hope you had the time ...

How ‘bout that

How hard can it be?

How lucky can you get

How sweet it is

How the west was won

Huh?

I.D.entity

Identities

If all else fails

If this isn’t the real world, then what is?

If these walls could talk

If we don’t do it, who will?

If we only came with instructions

If only you knew

If you thought

If you’ve got it, flaunt it!

Image is everything

Image is nothing

Imagine

Imagine that In 25 words or less In a different light In a nutshell In a word

In a world of our own In addition to tradition In and out In any event In between In black and white In brief In Dog years In due time In focus In for a little shock In full swing In good time In less than no time In no uncertain terms In one accord In other words In our own backyard In our own world In our prime In our right mind In pursuit

In retrospect, in anticipation In so many words In the blink of an “I” In the first place In the know In the limelight In the line of duty In the long run In the loop

In the midst of change In the prime of life In the red In the shadows In the spotlight In tune In with the new In your face In, out and about

Indeed

Individual results may vary Indulge yourself

Influence

Information overload

Initial reactions

Inner strength

Innerview

Innovation Inquire inside Inquire within Inside

Inside out

Inside outside

Interdependence Into focus

Introspection

Is it just a question of time?

Is it me or is it hot in here?

Is this the end or just the beginning?

Isn’t it clear to see?

Isn’t that special?

It all adds up

It all starts right here

It blue us away

It figures

It just goes to show

It only gets better

It only happens once

It takes all kinds

It takes practice

It’s a deal

It’s a good time

It’s a jungle out there

It’s a matter of give and take

It’s about time

It’s about you

It’s all about (what)

It’s all behind us now

It’s all here in black and white

It’s all in how you look at it

It’s all in the cards

It’s all in the game

It’s all our fault

It’s all over but the shouting

It’s all over town

It’s all up to you

It’s an attitude

It’s been done before

It’s been quite

It’s confidential

It’s harder than it looks

It’s how you play the game

It’s in the numbers

It’s just too much

It’s like this

It’s no surprise

It’s not a feeling you get every day

It’s not an option

It’s not as easy as 1, 2, 3

It’s not easy being green

It’s not over until the last bell rings

It’s not over yet

It’s not what you think

It’s personal

It’s so you

It’s the small things that count

It’s the thought that counts

It’s up to you

It’s what we’ve become

It’s what you make it

It’s what’s on the inside that counts

It’s your history

It’s your life, take notes

Jammed in Joining forces

Jump at the chance

Jump right in

Just a bit different

Just a click away

Just a little mixed up

Just a second

Just add water

Just around the corner

Just because ...

Just goes to show you

Just had to be there

Just in case you ever wondered

Just look at us

Just one of those things

Just one step at a time

Just passing time

Just push play

Just scratching the surface

Just so

Just us

Just wait and see

Just when you thought it was over

Just when you thought you’d seen it all

Just your type

Keep a straight face

Keep an eye on it

Keep it real

Keep it simple

Keep the change

Keep the triumphs

Keeping it real

Keeping pace

Keeping tabs

Knight vision

Knights! Camera! Action!

Knock it off

Knock knock

Know a thing or two

Know it inside out

Know the score

Know the tricks of the trade

Know what it takes

Know what we mean?

Know what’s what

Knowing our place

Knowing the ropes

Larger than life

Last but not least

Lasting impressions

Laying it on the line

Leading the pack

Leading the way

Leave it to Beavers

Leaving our mark

Leaving the past behind

Less is more

Let the magic begin

Let the tradition begin

Let us spell it out for you

Let yourself in

Let’s cut to the point

Let’s get this show on the road

Let’s make hisssstory

Let’s talk story

Life 101

Life in the middle

Life is multiple choice

Life’s too short to be ordinary

Life, camera, action

Life@schoolname.

Lift here

Light Lighten up

Lightning strikes twice

Lights, camera, action

Like I was saying

Like never before

Like ...

Linked as one

Little by little

Little things

Live and learn

Live it up

Live the dream

Living on the edge

Log on ...

Long time, no see

Look again

Look at us now

Look before we leap

Look closer

Look inside for details

Look what the cat dragged in

Look who’s talking

Looking beyond

Looking forward to looking back

Looks can be deceiving

Looks like it’s that time

Looks like we made it

Loud & clear

Luck has nothing to do with it

Making the grade

Making the pieces fit

Making time for ...

Many as one

Mark my words

Maxed out

Maximum occupancy

May we have your atTENtion please?

Maybe I’ll see you there

Me, you, us

Measuring up to the test

Membership has its privileges

Memories are made of this

Mind over matter

Mind, body, soul

Missing the point

Mission accomplished

Mission: possible

Mix it up

Mixed emotions

Mad about plaid

Made for success

Made in the shade

Made to order

Made you look

Make a big deal

Make a great showing

Make a note of it

Make a run for it

Make it count

Make it happen

Make no mistake about it

No problem

No reservations

No small change

No time to catch our breath

No turning back

No two are alike

No two ways about it

No vacancy

No wonder

Northside story

Not a bit

Not another peep out of you

Not as it seems

Not just another face in the crowd

Not just skimming the surface

Not on your life

Note this

Nothing but ...

Nothing can stop us now

Nothing greater than a Raider

Nothing held back

On the edge

On the face of it

On the flip side

On the inside

On the level

On the move

On the other hand ...

On the spot

On the spur of the moment

On the up and up

On the verge

On top again

On top of things

Once a Warrior, always a Warrior

Once and for all

Once in a blue moon

Once in a great while

Once in a lifetime

One

One 4 all

One 4 all and all 4 one

Out loud

Out of line

Out of place

Out of sight, out of mind

Out of the blue

Out of the box

Out of the ordinary

Out of the question

Out of the shadows

Out with the old, in with the new

Outside the box

Over and over

Over the top

Pack, pride, purpose

N MMore about everything

More often than not

More or less

More than just the basics

More than meets the eye

More than one can play at this game

More than words can say

More than you imagined

More to come

Most of all

Moving up in the world

Multiple choice

Make nothing of it

Make something of it

Make the scene

Make way

Make your move

Making a comeback

Making a fuss

Making a go of it

Making a long story short

Making a name for ourselves

Making a statement

Making both ends meet

Making connections

Making every day count

Making fun of it

Making headlines

Making it all fit

Making it work

Making ourselves at home

Making the best of it

Name of the game

Neither here nor there

Never before

Never before, never again

Never had it so good

Never quite like this

Never-ending questions

New and improved

No borders, no boundaries

No doubt about it

No ifs, ands or buts

No joke

No kidding

No laughing matter

No limits

No limits, no boundaries

No matter what

No one quite like us

Nothing of the kind

Nothing ordinary about us

Nothing stays the same

Nothing to hide

Nothing to it

Nothing’s perfect

Now

Now & then

Now look what you’ve done

Now or never

Now we’ve got it

Now we’ve got something to shout about

Now you know

OOh my!

Objects in the mirror ...

Of all things

Of epic proportions

Of our own free will

Off balance

Off the beaten track

Off the wall

Off to a wild start

On both sides of the line

On common ground

On edge

On hold

On our way

On target

On the contrary

On the cutting edge

On the double

One and only

One by one

One for the books

One for the record books

One good turn deserves another

One hot number

One in a hundred

One in a millennium

One in a million

One in every crowd

One last look

One of a kind

One of these days

One size does not fit all

One small step

One thing leads to another

One voice

One way or another

Only the beginning

Only the name’s the same

Only time will tell

Or something like that

Orange you glad?

Organized chaos

Original formula

Our final answer

Our kind of place

Our legend lives on

Our moment in time

Our name says it all

Our story, your story

Our turn

Our way

Out and about

Packed INdividually

Packed and ready to go

Pages in time

Pardon our dust

Part of the pack

Pass it on

Past, present, future

Paws and reflect

Paws for reflection

Paws-abilities

Paying attention

People are talking

People, places, things, ideas

Permission granted

Perspectives

Pick of the pack

Picture perfect

Picture the possibilities

Picture this

Piece of the action

Playing for keeps

Playing it cool

Playing your cards right

Plus a whole lot more

Point being

Pointed in all directions

Polished performance

Pop the question

Power of one

Power, purpose, pride

Premium blend

Price is right

Priceless

PS: pride & spirit

Ideas

Pssst ... there’s more

Purple reign

Put 2 and 2 together

Put to the test

Putting us on the map

Quick as a wink

Quips & quotes

Quite the place

‘R’ way

Raising our sights

Raising the roof

Raising the standard

Random

Rated R

Reaching new heights

Read between the lines

School

Analyze your and use responses to develop your theme

Use the questions and statements below to analyze your school. Include as much detail as possible. The specific information in your responses can be used to write the copy to introduce the theme to your readers and to relate the theme to each section of the book.

1. What is the name of your school and how long has it been in existence?

7. What part of your school makes your students proud?

2. Name and describe your mascot. How was your mascot chosen?

8. How is your school “above average?”

3. What are your school colors and how were they chosen?

9. Describe your school in one word.

10. Describe your student body in one word.

15. What’s the first thing visitors notice about your campus?

4. Describe your school and explain where it is located.

11. How do rival schools describe your school?

16. What physical changes or other changes will occur at your school next year?

5. Describe your location (inner city, mountain top, country)?

12. What athletic event is most significant to your school each year? Why?

17. How do community, national and international events affect your school?

6. What traditions are important to your students?

13. What other events are significant at your school each year? Why?

18. What challenges is your school facing this year?

19. How is your school dealing with these changes and challenges?

20. Describe your school’s faculty.

21. What clubs are most outstanding in your school? Why?

14. Where would we find your student body on Friday night?

Group Members:

Theme

concept exercise

Divide the class into groups of three or four students each. On the following page, based on the sample below, create a fictitious school and answer the questions about the fictitious school. Write three theme ideas for this school and select the best theme for that year. Discuss theme spin-off titles for each section in the book and design strategies to reflect your concept.

Example:

School’s name: Theodore Roosevelt High School

City, State: Wild Horse, TX

Describe location: On the prairie on the outskirts of town

Mascot: Mustang

School colors: Teal and purple

Traditions:

• Everyone comes back for homecoming

• Spring fling - class competitions with some faculty participating

• Rodeo brings participants from across the U.S. and Canada to participate

• Christmas Angel Tree Project raises funds for less fortunate children in the community

School’s pride factors:

• Excellent athletic program; won state in football, girls’ basketball and volleyball; state runners-up in boys’ basketball, baseball and tennis

• Six National Merit Scholars

• Vocational club and DECA won state contests; FFA took top awards in steers, horses and goats

• We work with our local law enforcement officers to provide students opportunities to host weekend events in which the entire school participates

• Nationally recognized for anti-peer pressure program, helping students to make good decisions, to take pride in their work and to avoid drugs and alcohol

How this school differs from other schools:

• Ninety-five percent graduation rate

• Parent involvement at all levels, from elementary to high school

• Our building is 75 years old and is on the National Historic Registry. It has been well cared-for.

Changes/challenges for this year:

• State has cut our funding by 40%, possibly forcing us to cut programs

• Principal and his leadership council are making plans for fund-raisers to offset the cuts

• Community members are assisting as volunteer teachers, aides, custodians and bus drivers to help

Honors/awards:

• State sportsmanship award

• State spirit award

• Highest test scores in the state

• Highest percentage of students going to and completing higher education

• State Teacher of the Year

• Proud to be You-nique honors from the National Education Association

Sample Answers:

Three possible theme ideas:

1. A Horse of a Different Color (based on school colors and the unique pride-building programs in the school)

2. Just Cut It Out (based on budget cuts and how we are dealing with them)

3. You-niquely yours (based on the wide variety of personalities within the school and our unique school colors)

Our choice:

A Horse of a Different Color

Spinoff section titles:

Student Life: Our Colorful World

Sports: Pride in Our Colors

Academics: Colorful Facts

Organizations: Colorful Interests

People: Colorful Personalities

Design/copy strategies:

• Colorful paint splatters behind headlines, caption headlines and secondary modules

• Color-coded sections

• Colorful phrases and descriptions in stories

• Colorful action photos featuring our school colors

Theme

concept exercise

Exercise:

Divide the class into groups of three or four students each. Write the name of a fictitious school and answer the questions about the school in the blank spaces below. Write three theme ideas for this school and select the best theme for that year. Discuss theme spin-off titles for each section in the book and design strategies to reflect the concept.

Example:

School’s name:

City, State:

Describe location:

Mascot:

School colors:

Traditions:

School’s pride factors:

How your school differs from other schools:

Our choice:

Changes/challenges for this year:

Spin-off section titles:

Student Life:

Sports:

Academics:

Organizations: People:

Design/copy strategies:

Honors/awards:

Theme

Creating your from start to finish

Exercise:

Based on your discussion of the questions about your school, choose three possible theme ideas. Work with your group to select the best idea and justify it in the spaces below. Then begin developing your theme/concept using the information on this page as a starting point.

Your theme/concept: Three possible theme ideas:

Design strategies:

•Colors:

•Graphics:

• Typography:

•Special effects:

Photo strategies:

• Opening photos:

• Student life divider photos:

Your choice:

Spin-off section titles:

Opening:

Student Life:

Sports:

Academics:

Organizations:

People:

Closing:

Copy strategies:

• Related words for secondary coverage titles:

• Thematic words to use in copy and captions:

• Embedded words for clever titles or headlines:

• Sports divider photos:

• Synonyms for copy, headlines or captions:

• Academics divider photos:

• Organizations divider photos:

• How we will emphasize thematic words in copy:

• People divider photos:

• Closing photos:

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Exercise:

Sketch a cover design in the space below. Design a logo to reflect your theme concept and include it on the front part of the cover. Also include the book’s title and year. On the spine, include the following: School name, city, state, book’s title, year and volume number. If space permits on the spine, you may also include your theme logo.

Your cover idea

Exercise: Theme

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Print two copies of this page. If you plan to print on the front endsheet, sketch it on one of the pages. Add your theme logo and design the table of contents using theme-related phrases or words to tie each section to the theme. Add the section content and beginning page numbers in smaller type. You may also add photos to represent each section in the book. On the other page, sketch a smilar design for the back endsheet, eliminating the table of contents.

Your ideas for front/back endsheets

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Exercise:

On the left, sketch the title page in a style that represents your theme. On the right, sketch a parting page in a similar style. Include photos that reflect the theme with one image obviously larger than all others. Include captions or identifications for each photo. On the title page, include following essential information: School name, address, phone number, fax number, website, theme logo and volume number. Optional items might include school population, school’s honors or awards, and number of faculty and staff and other facts that showcase the school. For the parting page, include, photos, captions and a theme-related headline representing the end of the school year.

Your title page idea

Your parting page idea

finish

Exercise:

Print two copies of this page. On one, design the opening section to reflect your theme. You may include your theme logo and/or theme-related headline. Add photos that represent the opening of school. If your theme were “One Hot Number,” for example, you might include a photo of people standing in front of a bonfire taken during a pep rally, or an athlete practicing in the sweltering summer heat. Add smaller photos for contrast. Each picture should represent the school’s opening and the theme. Add captions for each image. Also include space for copy to introduce the theme. On the second page, design the closing section. Include theme-related images, captions, copy and a headline to represent the year’s end.

Your opening/closing section ideas

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Exercise:

Design your division page in a style that reflects your theme. Include a theme-related headline that applies to the section. This should be the same headline as the title used in the table of contents. Include photos that represent section content and relate to the theme. Add smaller photos for contrast. Include captions for each image. Also include space for theme-related copy that introduces the section.

Your division page idea

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Print two copies of this page. On one page, sketch a student life design that reflects the design of your theme spreads. On this sketch, start with a dominant vertical photo. Design your headline using the same type faces as those used in your theme logo. Include a secondary headline. Add photos that represent the topic you’re covering. Add smaller photos for contrast and include captions or identifications for each image. Also include space for a story or photo/quote area to explain the topic. Create secondary modules to add to the story. On the second page, sketch a student life design that begins with a dominant horizontal photo. Include the same elements as those used in the vertical design.

Your student life vertical and horizontal dominant spread ideas

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Exercise:

Print two copies of this page. On one, sketch a sports design following the style used on your theme spreads. On one page, start with a dominant horizontal photo. Create the headline using type faces in your theme logo. Include a secondary headline. Add photos that represent the topic you’re covering. Add smaller photos for contrast and include captions or identifications for each image. Include space for a story or photo/quote module to explain more about the topic. Include secondary coverage modules to help tell the story. On the second page, sketch a sports design with a dominant vertical photo. Follow the guidelines you used for the first design on this spread.

Your sports horizontal and vertical dominant spread ideas

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Print two copies of this page. On one, sketch an academics design resembling your theme spreads. Start with a dominant vertical photo on this sketch. Create a headline similar to your theme logo. Include a secondary headline. Include photos that represent the topic you’re covering. Add smaller photos for contrast and include captions or identifications for each image. Also include space for a story or photo/quote module and secondary coverage modules to explain more about the topic. On the second page, sketch an academics design with a dominant horizontal photo including the same elements as those used in the vertical design.

Your academics vertical and horizontal dominant spread ideas

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Exercise:

Print two copies of this page. On one, sketch an organizations design resembling your theme spreads. Start with a dominant horizontal photo. Design a headline to complement your theme logo. Include a secondary headline and photos reflecting the topic you’re covering. Add smaller photos for contrast, adding captions or identifications for each image. You may want to add small group of photos in a series across the bottom or down the side. Include space for a story or photo/quote module and secondary coverage modules to help tell your story. On the second page, design a spread starting with a dominant vertical photo and include similar items used in your horizontal spread.

Your organizations horizontal and vertical dominant spread ideas

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Exercise:

Print two copies of this page. Sketch a people/portrait design in a manner reflecting your theme spreads. Start with a dominant horizontal portrait block on this sketch. Add a headline design similar to your theme logo and include a secondary headline. Create small secondary coverage modules for contrast and include captions or identifications for each image. On the second page, sketch a people/portrait design with a dominant vertical portrait block. Include similar elements as those used in your horizontal design.

Your people spreads with horizontal and vertical portrait blocks

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Exercise:

Sketch a patron and/or business advertising spread. Use type consistent with the rest of the book. Add graphics that complement the the book’s overall style and look.

Your patron/business advertising spread

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Exercise:

Sketch an index spread design. Incorporate photos to add depth to the coverage.

Your index spread