Wow, where has this first month gone?
The hustle and bustle of a new year is underway, and it’s almost the end of September already. I know that you’ve been busy getting organized, juggling classes and activities, and simply settling in.
It has been an exciting month at FutureBook Yearbooks as well. It is always fun for us at this time of the year. We get to meet new yearbook advisors and students, hearing their fresh and creative ideas. We catch up with returning advisors and students, hearing about their summer months, learning about their thoughts on the upcoming year, and devising action plans. In particular, we have a great time hearing about thoughts and expectations for the yearbook. I’ve run across some interesting themes so far… A 2012 ‘End of the World’ perspective, Pop Art, Contrast vs. Colour, Monopoly, and more.
Many yearbook groups are still brainstorming themes and concepts of a book. For that reason, I’ve included a document here with many ideas. Feel free to download and print it off for your own use. Yearbook Themes
Keep in mind a theme for your yearbook is not necessary. You can also chose a ‘look,’ or a concept that will run throughout your book and tie it all together. What is the difference? The approaches are blurred, and often run into each other, but here is a basic idea:
- A theme is a unifying concept that focuses on a particular entity. Whether a word, a concept or object, elements of this are evident in all aspects of the book. The expectation is that the chosen theme already comes with it’s own set of colours, styles, popular sayings, graphics and overall connotations. In essence, the theme has a literal translation. The theme is carried out trough the text, photos, and layout designs on every page of the yearbook, as well as the cover, dust jacket, endsheets and dividers to create unity.
- Modeling a yearbook on a concept is similar in that it is evident in all aspects of the book. The difference is that there is less of an established formula associated with it. Folios, headlines, backgrounds, image frames, graphics and text styles should all play nicely with each other. But the concept is devised by the group, rather than on a set rule, even if modeled after similar uses of the look in other places.
The overall concept or themes should be specific to one year at one school; even if the theme itself is somewhat generic, it should be used in a way that is unique. Once you have chosen the theme, you will need to brainstorm ways to incorporate it throughout the book, both verbally and visually. It’s important that the main idea is strong and that the impact is clear to the readers. Remember that it is the development of the overall look of the book that wields the most power and impact.
