TMU Workshop

Yearbook Theme §

What is a Yearbook? §

• A tradition
• Memory book
• PR for your school
• A history book
  • An accurate account of everything that happened in the year

What is a Theme §

• In a yearbook, the theme is a unifying and defining device that runs through the entire publication. It should be seen on the:
• Cover
• End Sheets
• Opening & closing theme pages
• Division pages
• Graphic Elements
• Secondary Coverage
• Headline
• Group photos
• Assets

How should you make a theme? §

• KNOW your school and the students
• Create FOR them
• Create for the students in 20, 50, and 100 years.
• Break down the Who, what, where, when, why, and how.

Remember:

Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Making a Style Guide §

• Match words and concepts together with stuff you know is going to be in the yearbook

Event Coverage §

• Content is King
  • Design around the content that you have, if you know you have a bunch of vertical images, the template should be designed around that.

Spread Plans §

Making spread plans can help get things done, especially if the person making the spread is unable to complete it for whatever reason, it will make it easier for another person to jump in and finish it up.

Base the Spread off the Photos §

Creating a photo shopping list can help bring your spread to the next level. For example, for a basketball game, a photo shopping list could look like:

• Action shot
• Shot of both teams
• Get quotes
• etc.

Seek the Unique §

Try to highlight student’s individuality. Ask for things like:

• Lanyard choices
• What’s on your keychain
• Laptop and water bottle stickers
• Jacket patches
• Club Uniform Comparisons
• Commute Times / BUS ROUTES!!!!!!
• Foreign Exchange Students
• Fashion
• Struggles

Modular Design §

Modular templates replace the traditional yearbook templates, where instead of just laying things out, we create magazine-like modules to make the page pop and include a bunch of information and pictures as well. Some of the positives of modular design include:

• Each section is interchangeable
• Content is organized
• Allows for in-depth coverage
• Reader friendly
• Good for covering multiple topics in one spread

Designing Modules §

• Ensure there is sufficient space between modules
  • Micro and Macro Spacing
    • Squeeze things together that are supposed to be together
    • Space things apart that are supposed to be apart.

Easy Content §

• Q&A’s
• How-To’s
• Timeline
• Before and After
• Polls
• Stats

Visual Storytelling / Photography §

The best camera is the one you have with you

Tips for ”Phoneography“: §

When you’re taking pictures on your phone.

• Clean your phone lens.
• Turn off HEIC.
  • This will prevent JPEG compression, better quality.
• Don’t use portrait mode.
• Burst mode is your bestie
• Try turning your phone upside-down.
  • Changes the angle of the picture