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How to do a Yearbook:

Part One:  Concept

• An original, imaginative theme or logo, unique to the college for the specific year, generally serves as a unifying element for the book.

Part Two: Coverage

• Unique angles or approaches enliven routine coverage.
• Coverage reflects the diversity of the college population.
• Emphasis is on what makes this year different from others.

Part Three: Layout/Design

• It is evident that layouts have been designed in two-page spread units, generally using columnar format unless design obviously calls for variation.
• Non-rectangular shaped and tilted photos have been used effectively and sparingly.

Part Four: Writing and Editing

• In general, copy is written in third person, active voice, past tense.
• Meaningful, story-telling quotes and background material reflect thorough interviewing.

Part Five: Photography

• The center of interest in each photo is in focus.
• Photos are free of scratches, dust, lint, water spots, fingerprints, or other technical flaws.
• Color photos have accurate color values.

Theme Development

Theme is a basic plan or idea a yearbook staff follows to coordinate all phases of the story of the year to achieve a central focus or effect to impress the reader.  It unifies the book.  It gives the book identity, provides continuity and helps the reader reflect on the tone of the year.  Theme is also a significant factor in holding the book together, organizing its subparts and dictating its contents.

Criteria for yearbook theme:

• Applies to all sections, issues of year, events and/or activities
• Looks good in print
• Sounds good when spoken
• Is meaningful and relevant
• Provides something that all students can identify with, and relate to
• Is new and fresh
• Is natural to the school and campus
• Is timely to this year
• Is part of the book’s entire concept

Theme Development should be reflected on:

• Cover
• Opening
• Features
• Graphics
• Endsheets
• Division pages
• Copy
• Photographs
• Title page
• Closing

Sources for yearbook themes:

• School itself
• Timely tie-ups
• Student Life
• Community
• Catch phrases
• Commemorative events
• Ideals and intangibles            

Relating theme ideas to school and year

• Will the book and its theme excite enthusiasm in readers?
•  Will the idea wear well?  Will it be appropriate when book is distributed more than a year later?
• Can the theme be expressed in a catch phrase?
• Is this a theme the staff can implement and enjoy?

Tips for Creating An Award-Winning Yearbook!

The Cover:

1. The title year, university, and volume number should appear on the cover and spine in clear, attractive, readable type.
2. The design should be neat, attractive, and harmonious with the theme and unifying idea.
3. The color should create a favorable impression.

The Theme:

1. The idea should give the book definite an appealing personality and should be readily apparent to the reader.
2. The plan should be introduced effectively in the opening in well-written copy and relating photographs. 
3. The plan selected should be suitable to the university and relevant to its students this year
4. The plan should come to a logical conclusion at the end of the book with copy and related photographs which wraps it up.

Organization/Space Allocation:

1. The book should be organized in a logical manner, aiding in the telling of the story over a period of 12 months.
2. The space allocations should be sufficient to allow effective coverage of each facet of the college and year.
3. Avoid placing portraits as the first section in the book.

Reference Aids:

1. The title page should be distinctive and contain the book title, year, name of university, complete address, city, state, and zip and volume number.
2. The contents listing should appear early in the book, but not on the title page.

Design

1. Graphics and typography on spreads should be appealing and effective and add to the content presentation.
2. The column plans in the body of the book should be used consistently within sections.
3. A dominant element should be used on each spread.
4. Don’t use more than seven photographs per spread.
5. An eye line should be on each spread to help prevent horizontal zigzag.
6. The action in photographs should be directed toward the gutter.
7. Inner spacing should be consistent between all elements on each page.
8. Margins should be consistent in each section.
9. Each spread should contain a primary headline and copy, varied in placement to prevent monotony.
10. The copy in each section should be consistent and easy to read.
11. Captions and identifications should be set in type smaller than body copy type size.
12. All portraits should be paneled as solid rectangles with names on the outside.
13. Avoid use of art work and hand lettering.
14. All copy should be on the outside of the picture to avoid trapping.

The story:

1. Sentences should be generally short and paragraphs brief.
2. Captions should include identifications of students, using both first and last names.
3. Leads should be varied so that patterns have not been established.
4. Well written captions should be provided for photographers.

Campus Life Section:

1. Copy should capture the essence of what makes this university different from others.
2. Quotes from students should tell the story

Sports Section:

1. Copy should feature angles rather than straight news, summary, or review of the scores.
2. Capture the dramatic story from early practices to the end of the season.
3. Explore student involvement in the learning process.

Academic Sections:

1. Give readers an overview of the university’s outstanding departments/schools/colleges.
2. Copy should stress current trends, occurring this year in education.
3. Explore student involvement in the learning process.

Individuals Section:

1. First and last names should be used to identify all individuals.
2. Headlines, copy, photographs, and captions should all be related.
3. Headlines should invite the reader or explore the copy.

Clubs/Organizations / Greeks Section:

1. Copy should tell specifically what developed in the group this year.
2. Headlines should avoid labels and generalities.

Advertisements:

1. Section is attractive and adds to the book’s content and coverage.
2. Ads are individualized by either typography, graphics, or photography and captions.