Developing a Yearbook’s

Theme

The Foundation for the Book

What is a theme?

The theme is the idea that will express the story The theme is the idea that will express the story of the school year. of the school year.

The theme is carried out through the text, The theme is carried out through the text, photos, and layout designs on every page of the photos, and layout designs on every page of the yearbook. yearbook.

It’s like the thesis statement for the yearbook; It’s like the thesis statement for the yearbook; every page created relates back to the thesis in every page created relates back to the thesis in some way.some way.

Make The Theme Stand OutA theme should be specific to THIS year at A theme should be specific to THIS year at THIS school.THIS school.

Even if the theme itself is somewhat generic, Even if the theme itself is somewhat generic, it should be used in a way that is unique. it should be used in a way that is unique.

You must incorporate the theme throughout You must incorporate the theme throughout the book, both verbally and visually.the book, both verbally and visually.

Choosing a Theme

The theme must relate to the student The theme must relate to the student population at this time.population at this time.

It must be adaptable for all of the sections It must be adaptable for all of the sections of the yearbook (not too athletic or to of the yearbook (not too athletic or to frilly).frilly).

Here are some starting points for Here are some starting points for developing a theme.developing a theme.

Yearly ThemeThe theme can be tied to an anniversary of the The theme can be tied to an anniversary of the school or a number theme tied to the year of the school or a number theme tied to the year of the graduating class.graduating class.

For example, if it's the 4th year the school has been For example, if it's the 4th year the school has been open, a theme could be "Four Score!" or "Quarter open, a theme could be "Four Score!" or "Quarter Time." Time."

In the year 2007, several yearbook staffs used a spy In the year 2007, several yearbook staffs used a spy theme with the "007" connection to the year.theme with the "007" connection to the year.

Mascot Tie-In

The theme can revolve around the school's The theme can revolve around the school's mascot. mascot.

Examples: If the mascot is some type of Examples: If the mascot is some type of bird, a theme could involve flight, such as bird, a theme could involve flight, such as "Taking Flight" or "Soaring Above." If the "Taking Flight" or "Soaring Above." If the mascot is a large cat, use a theme like "On mascot is a large cat, use a theme like "On the Prowl."the Prowl."

School Colors

A color theme, such as "Red, White, and A color theme, such as "Red, White, and True Blue" or "The Golden Standard" True Blue" or "The Golden Standard" can be chosen.can be chosen.

The colors and references to them are The colors and references to them are then used throughout the book.then used throughout the book.

Catch PhrasesChoose popular or catchy phrases for the theme.Choose popular or catchy phrases for the theme.

They don't have to relate directly to your school, but will They don't have to relate directly to your school, but will come later when you develop your theme. come later when you develop your theme.

Consider using catch phrases like, "One in a Million" or Consider using catch phrases like, "One in a Million" or "Simply the Best." "Simply the Best."

However, the theme should actually apply to the school; However, the theme should actually apply to the school; if you can't think of anything within the school that if you can't think of anything within the school that applies, don’t use it.applies, don’t use it.

Visual Symbols

Sometimes themes are wordless. Sometimes themes are wordless.

They might include a shape, like a circle or a They might include a shape, like a circle or a square.square.

They might be a series of colors or an "X" design. They might be a series of colors or an "X" design.

These types of themes are gaining popularity, but These types of themes are gaining popularity, but can be difficult to incorporate.can be difficult to incorporate.

Reminders for Selectinga ThemeThe theme should relate to this particular school The theme should relate to this particular school year.year.

It must be easily identified and understood by It must be easily identified and understood by your readers.your readers.

It must be incorporated verbally and visually It must be incorporated verbally and visually throughout the book.throughout the book.

It CANNOT utilize copyrighted materials.It CANNOT utilize copyrighted materials.

Incorporating the Theme with Word Choices

The Book CoverThe Book Cover

Page HeadlinesPage Headlines

Yearbook CopyYearbook Copy

The Book Cover

Usually the theme will BE the title of the Usually the theme will BE the title of the yearbook. yearbook.

Put the title on the front cover so Put the title on the front cover so readers will recognize the theme right readers will recognize the theme right away.away.

Page HeadlinesIndividual spread headlines can also Individual spread headlines can also incorporate the theme. incorporate the theme.

The theme should be found on section The theme should be found on section division pages and on some individual pages.division pages and on some individual pages.

You can use a word from your theme in your You can use a word from your theme in your verbal tie-ins, or a word that relates to your verbal tie-ins, or a word that relates to your theme in some way.theme in some way.

Yearbook Copy

Some pages will have actual copy of Some pages will have actual copy of theme-related information. theme-related information.

Start with the opening spread. Explain Start with the opening spread. Explain the theme and story of the year. the theme and story of the year.

Incorporate the theme on the division Incorporate the theme on the division pages for each section of the book. pages for each section of the book.

Visual Tie-Ins

The theme must be represented The theme must be represented visually throughout the book.visually throughout the book.

It should be recognizable, but not too It should be recognizable, but not too repetitive.repetitive.

Look for a variations of the key image Look for a variations of the key image to utilize throughout the book.to utilize throughout the book.

The Cover Art

The cover must be eye-catching and The cover must be eye-catching and visually interesting for the students.visually interesting for the students.

You establish the theme at this point. You establish the theme at this point. Make sure it’s understood by the reader.Make sure it’s understood by the reader.

Plan elements that can be incorporated Plan elements that can be incorporated throughout the book.throughout the book.

The Layout/Page Design

Look for ways to incorporate the theme Look for ways to incorporate the theme in the visual design of the pages.in the visual design of the pages.

For example, a photo album or For example, a photo album or scrapbook theme could use frames like scrapbook theme could use frames like old-time photos or have the corner tabs old-time photos or have the corner tabs found in scrapbooks.found in scrapbooks.

The Folio Design

The folio is the place on the page where The folio is the place on the page where the page numbers are.the page numbers are.

It MUST be the same design on every It MUST be the same design on every page.page.

It’s an easy place to incorporate the It’s an easy place to incorporate the visual images of the theme.visual images of the theme.

There are lists of ideas online.

Give us a BreakGive us a Break

Roll Out the Red CarpetRoll Out the Red Carpet

You Had to Be ThereYou Had to Be There

A Blockbuster HitA Blockbuster Hit

Members OnlyMembers Only

Games We PlayGames We Play

Behind the ScenesBehind the Scenes

• Showing Our True ColorsShowing Our True Colors

• That was Then, This is NowThat was Then, This is Now

• Not Just Another YearNot Just Another Year

• Picture PerfectPicture Perfect

• CrossroadsCrossroads

• On a MissionOn a Mission

• Beyond the Stars…Beyond the Stars…

Example Theme: Putting It All Together

EvergladesHigh School2015-2016

Putting ItAll

Together

Can you think of ways to individualize this theme and incorporate it throughout a yearbook?

Check Out Some Other

Sample Cover Ideas