Advising Beyond Borders: How Laila Ismail Elevates Student Voices from Venezuela

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Laila Ismail, a dedicated yearbook adviser at International School, Colegio Internacional De Carabobo, located in Venezuela. Her experience offers a unique lens into the creative process of producing a yearbook within a culturally diverse environment. With a background in graphic design and over six years of yearbook experience, Laila brings bold creativity and cross-cultural awareness to everything she and her students create. Her journey is a powerful reminder that great storytelling knows no borders.

Below, we’ve highlighted key takeaways from our conversation with Laila.

A Global Campus Culture

Laila’s school is a vibrant international community, serving as a home away from home for students and teachers from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. With students arriving from across continents, many of whom speak neither English nor Spanish, the campus has become a true “melting pot” of traditions, stories, and perspectives. This diversity is celebrated, deeply influencing the school’s values and creative outputs. This is especially evident in the yearbook, which acts as a visual and narrative mosaic of the school’s global character. For the yearbook team, inclusivity is more than a goal—it is a guiding principle. 

Stepping Into the Adviser Role

With a strong foundation in graphic design, Laila naturally stepped into the role of yearbook adviser. Over time, she cultivated a yearbook culture that fosters not only visual excellence but also emotional resonance. Her approach encourages students to explore new ideas, experiment with design styles, and take ownership of the creative process. Each year, the yearbook becomes a platform for collaboration, innovation, and self-expression, reflecting both the adviser’s vision and the students’ voices.

Designing for a Diverse Audience

Creating a yearbook in an international school setting brings unique responsibilities. For Laila and her team, design is never just about aesthetics; it’s about representing the entire school. The diversity of the student body demands a thoughtful approach, one that highlights the cultural richness of the community. Each spread is carefully planned to include different voices, traditions, and styles, ensuring students see themselves reflected in both imagery and narrative. In addition to visible representation, the team incorporates subtle, personalized design elements that speak to the school’s unique story and the theme of the yearbook!

Choosing a U.S.-Based Publisher

Laila’s commitment to quality led her to conduct an in-depth search for a publisher that could meet the high standards expected by her school. With limited local options for professional printing in Venezuela, finding a trusted U.S.-based partner became essential. Her selection of United Yearbook was based not just on our production capabilities but also on our adaptability and customer support. Despite the logistical challenges of working across borders and time zones, the collaboration has been seamless. Laila credits United Yearbook’s responsiveness and flexibility with helping her stay on track during high-pressure phases of production, ensuring that the creative vision is never compromised by distance or delay.

Pushing Creative Boundaries

Working with United Yearbook has empowered Laila and her students to explore creative possibilities without constraints. The publishing tools and supportive relationship have allowed the team to think outside the box, producing designs that surprise and delight. Each year, the yearbook takes on a new visual identity, breaking away from traditional formats and embracing fresh, original ideas. Whether through innovative layouts, experimental color palettes, or multimedia-inspired concepts, students are encouraged to challenge norms and take artistic risks. This creative freedom has resulted in publications that are not only visually stunning but also deeply reflective of the school's evolving identity.

A Theme-Driven Process

From the outset of each school year, the yearbook team engages in a collaborative process to select a unifying theme. One that resonates with the student body and sets the tone for the book’s aesthetic and narrative direction. This theme becomes the compass for every creative decision, influencing typography, layout, and photography style. Students are deeply involved in this process. With access to Adobe Creative Suite, they learn to use industry-standard tools to develop skills in digital design, project management, and team collaboration. For many, it’s a transformative experience that not only enhances their creative abilities but also prepares them for future academic and professional paths.

Tackling Design Challenges

One of Laila's most ambitious projects involved a scrapbook-themed yearbook, which incorporated real-world textures like magazine clippings, scanned leaves, and flower elements. The process was manual and time-intensive, raising concerns about meeting the deadline. But through teamwork and perseverance, the final product was completed on time and stands out as one of the most creative yearbooks the school has produced.

Enhancing the Creative Process with the Right Support

Laila’s experience with United Yearbook has consistently empowered her to dream bigger and execute more boldly. With tools that streamline workflow and support that’s both responsive and knowledgeable, she has the freedom to focus on creativity without being bogged down by logistical hurdles. The partnership has made it easier to experiment with advanced design techniques and maintain a high standard of quality. Knowing that she has a reliable team behind her allows Laila to confidently guide her students through each phase of the yearbook journey, turning challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Advice for International School

Laila encourages other international schools to seek out partners that will support their vision, regardless of geographic location. Her experience working with a U.S.-based publisher has been overwhelmingly positive, and she believes other schools can benefit from the quality, consistency, and personalized service that United Yearbook offers.

We’re proud to support passionate advisers like Laila Ismail who are shaping the future of yearbook design with creativity, cultural awareness, and student empowerment at the center of it all. Whether you're in the U.S. or halfway around the world, we’re here to help bring your school’s voice to life.

Check out the full podcast episode with Laila here: 

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Contributor: Jessica Carrera, Associate Editor at TSE Worldwide Press and Marketing Coordinator at United Yearbook, holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in writing from Biola University. She aspires to touch the lives of others through her words.