The theme not only makes a statement about the school and the year, it unifies the copy and design to provide a consistent look and feel throughout the yearbook. Choosing a theme is one of the first steps in producing the yearbook. After the theme is determined, the design, colors and tone of the yearbook can be developed.
Choosing a Theme
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A theme should be relevant to the students and your school. Ask your yearbook staff to brainstorm the following questions:
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What makes your school unique?
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How is this year different from any other year?
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How are community or world events impacting the students in your school?
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What characteristics best describe student life today?
- Select several of the staff’s favorite responses to the above questions and come up with slogans or phrases that reflect those concepts. (For ideas to get you started, view Slogan Ideas.)
- Narrow your choices down to two or three theme phrases. For each theme, discuss what spin-off themes could be created for the various sections of the yearbook (Student Life, Academics, Sports, Clubs and Organizations, People, Ads and the Index). Finally, choose the theme. Be sure the theme selected allows for great flexibility and creativity in carrying the concept throughout the yearbook.
Developing Your Theme
Through the copy and design elements, the theme should be self-evident to the students. Avoid overstating your theme either verbally or visually. The theme should support the page design and story, not distract from it.
- Create a logo that corresponds with your theme slogan (magazines are good sources for inspiration). The logo will influence color and design elements for the rest of the yearbook.
- Write spin-off themes for the various sections of your yearbook. Determine how photos can visually enhance the theme.
- Develop the design for your cover, endsheets, title page, opening and closing pages, and divider pages.
- Be consistent in your use of colors, shapes, patterns and fonts. The divider pages should have a similar look and be distinct from the rest of the pages in the yearbook. Each section should have a consistent look, but with ingenuity and attention to detail, the pages don’t have to be monotonous.
View the Best of the Best 2008 gallery for winning theme examples.
The more fun the yearbook staff has with the theme, the more enticed and engaged your readers will be.
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The cover makes a strong visual statement and sets the tone for the interior pages. |
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The title page and last page should have a similar look and reflect the theme. The title page should provide school information (school name, school address, year). |
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The opening spread introduces the theme and explains what it represents. |
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The major divider pages relate the theme to each section. |
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The closing spread brings the theme to a logical conclusion and mirrors the design of the opening spread. |
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Avoid overstating the theme; simply support it through details in the photos and copy. |
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The theme should be broad enough to allow for creativity within the scope of the concept. |
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The copy and design should link the theme throughout the book. |
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Decide which approach best suits your school: sophisticated, traditional, frivolous, spirited or serious. |
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Explore verbal and visual twists to the theme. |
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Do not use legally protected material found on the Internet or from any other source without persmission. |
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