When thinking about your yearbook theme, you need to first understand the impact that that theme will have on the rest of your year. The theme has a foundational role in the workflow of your yearbook class, since everything you do as a team must connect, complement, and communicate the theme you’ve selected.
So, during the brainstorming stage, there are a few factors to consider. First, is the theme you’ve thought of unique? In other words, is it something that has been used by your school in the past 15 years? If so, then you might want to continue brainstorming.
First, is the theme you’ve thought of unique?
Second, is the theme realistic? Can it be done, or is it out of the realm of possibility? One of the worst things you can do is invest time into a theme that’s doomed to fail due to a lack of resources, poor circumstances, etc.
Second, is the theme realistic?
Third, what do other parties, specifically the students, think about the theme? You can answer this question by either requesting direct feedback, or by conducting a survey or a poll in which students vote on their favorite theme out of a list.
Third, what do other parties, specifically the students, think about the theme?
Lastly, does this theme have the approval of your school’s admins? You of course want the students’ approval, but you also want your principle and/or admins to believe in you and your project. If you develop a good reputation with your school’s leadership, then their subsequent trust in you will help eliminate little speedbumps in the development process.
Lastly, does this theme have the approval of your school’s admins?
When your brainstormed theme meets all these criteria, then the creation process can begin. Everything that follows, from visual research and design to customization and marketing, must focus on the theme in order to create a holistically balanced yearbook. For example, the color scheme and font style should complement your theme, as should the graphics and layout. To assist in the brainstorming of your theme, we have prepared a list of theme examples that you can utilize for brainstorming. Contact us to request this free list.
David Wong, United Yearbook
David Wong is a senior student at Biola University, majoring in Business Management. He is a Marketing Coordinator Intern for United Yearbook, which is a subsidiary company of TSE Worldwide Press. He utilizes his experiences in business as well as his passions and personality to make an impact with this role.