Yearbook Theme
CHOOSING A THEME
A yearbook theme is the central concept or idea around which the coverage and design of the yearbook are built upon. It is essentially a visual and verbal statement that helps highlight the memorable experiences throughout the school year as well as the many students who contribute to the character of the school.
Class Assignment
Find 2 or 3 more people to do this assignment. One person should be in charge of the Chromebook/Desktop computer.
Title--Choosing A Theme
Names in group:
Today's Date:
Find 2 or 3 more people to do this assignment. One person should be in charge of the Chromebook/Desktop computer.
Title--Choosing A Theme
Names in group:
Today's Date:
Think of (and answer) the following questions to help with the creative process. To help in your assignment organization, just copy the labels as you see them below. For example ... the first label is "Knowing Our School".
Knowing Our School
Types of Themes
Traditional Catch-Phrases or Memorable Slogan: With your partners, discuss what the following statements mean.
Jot down notes and statements from your partners.
Knowing Our School
- Describe your school using one adjective:
- Describe the people who attend your school in one word:
- List catch phrases and expressions used by the students at school:
- What’s the first thing people notice when they come to campus?
- What do you enjoy most about school?
- What event will be most important to your school in the coming year?
- What physical changes will be noticeable?
- Will the school be smaller, larger or the same?
- Can you predict the mood of the students next year?
- What changes have occurred since the previous year?
- What outside influences have affected the students or school?
Types of Themes
Traditional Catch-Phrases or Memorable Slogan: With your partners, discuss what the following statements mean.
Jot down notes and statements from your partners.
- Anniversary themes are tricky -- don’t overdo the “party/celebration” concept
- School Initials might be fun but difficult to come up with a play on words.
- School colors are favorites but be creative.
- Mascot themes might be better with the high school.
- Plays on the name of the school is fun but tricky
- Location themes are limited to schools with obvious ties to street names or major landmarks
- Event themes are based on a specific happenings that have affect the school.
- “Fun” themes make use of contemporary graphics and/or fun phrases.
- Pride themes focus on spirit and student/school accomplishments.
- Reaction themes provide students with a chance to be heard with individual stories.
- Unity/diversity themes examine the school’s population.
- Change themes need to be tied to the year with specific major changes in the school or its programs.
- Double-edged themes provide a compare/contrast format with a serious side and a lighter approach.
- Contemplative themes ask the reader to think about school or life.
- Concept themes uses a mix of catch phrases or ideas based around one central idea.
Developing Your Theme
Go to the link and choose ten themes with your partners, then narrow down to 3 ... choose one from the 3 and answer the questions and statements below:
Is it recognizable? Does it make sense as the framework for the entire book?
Is it repeatable? Will it still have impact from beginning to end of the book?
Is it relavant? Can it be linked to each section of the book?
Is it refreshing? Compared to other years?
Is it realistic? Does it relate to your school?
Answering "NO" to any of these questions means you should look for another theme.
Is it recognizable? Does it make sense as the framework for the entire book?
Is it repeatable? Will it still have impact from beginning to end of the book?
Is it relavant? Can it be linked to each section of the book?
Is it refreshing? Compared to other years?
Is it realistic? Does it relate to your school?
Answering "NO" to any of these questions means you should look for another theme.
Test Out Your Theme
Once your group finds a theme, test it out by listing the following:
Our Theme for this year is:
It feels like it will really work because:
Our photo/copy ideas for the opening and closing include:
Our Theme for this year is:
It feels like it will really work because:
Our photo/copy ideas for the opening and closing include:
We imagine the following section titles:
Student Life:
Academics:
Sports:
Clubs/Organizations:
People:
Academics:
Sports:
Clubs/Organizations:
People:
Our visuals would include:
Colors (palette):
Fonts:
Patterns/Textures:
Shapes:
Other:
Fonts:
Patterns/Textures:
Shapes:
Other:
