~ by Laura Schaub, Friesens Print Sales Consultant, El Paso/Texas
Creating a yearbook is like building a time capsule, one that captures the spirit, energy, and unforgettable moments of your school year. This guide is your companion for building effective habits that will help you in creating a yearbook that’s not just memorable, but legendary.
Habit 1: Dream Big
Kick things off with a brainstorming session. Imagine the most creative, eye-catching, memory-packed yearbook your school has ever seen. Ask questions like:
- How many pages do we need to cover all the bases?
- What kind of cover shouts: ‘This is us!”?
- Is this a milestone year? If so, how can we best showcase it?
Write down every idea…no judgment! Then, match your dreams with your budget.
Habit 2: Create a Smart Budget
Meet with your Friesens rep to build a budget that feels right. Look at last year’s sales, ad revenue, and any extra income (think: photo commissions and fundraisers!). Compare your expected income with expenses and decide how to move forward. A little math now saves a lot of stress later.
Habit 3: Pick a Theme That Pops
Time for round two of brainstorming! Think about what makes your school unique. Then list words and phrases that capture your school’s essence this year. Narrow it down to a theme that feels fresh and true. Then, build your book’s sections and design strategy around it.
Habit 4: Structure Like a Pro
Choose a layout style, be it traditional, chronological, or blended. Meet with school staff to map out events and activities. Start filling in your ladder (your page plan) and get creative with section titles and photo ideas.
Habit 5: Host a Kickoff Workshop
Invite new team members to attend a fun and informative workshop. Editors can lead sessions on writing, photography, and design. Share your theme and how it will weave throughout the book. Match team members with sections that fit their schedules and strengths.
Habit 6: Stick to Your Deadlines
Deadlines help maintain your sanity! Create a calendar with mini deadlines for stories, photos, and designs. Submit pages early so editors and advisers have time to polish. Start each class or meeting with a quick check-in to keep everyone on track and troubleshoot any issues.
Habit 7: Give Everyone a Role
Everyone wants to feel important. Assign tasks based on personal strengths and talents. Some students might be design aces, others are great writers or photographers. Mix and match skills to build strong teams. And remember praise goes a long way. Give suggestions rather than demands. Encourage, uplift, and coach with kindness.
Habit 8: Be Photo Smart & Stay Organized
As I’m sure you know, digital cameras and phones make it way too easy to take a zillion photos at every event. But here’s the deal: quality beats quantity every time. So, let’s keep our photo game strong and our folders clean!
Pro tip: Photographers + designers = dream team. Work together to make each page picture perfect!
Habit 9: Templates & Style That Turn Heads
Pre-built templates are your best friends…they keep your pages looking sharp and consistent while saving you tons of time. But don’t be afraid to be creative!
Habit 10: Celebrate Every Deadline (Especially the Last One!)
You hit “submit.” The adviser gives the thumbs-up. You did it! Now it’s time to party like a yearbook rockstar. Why celebrate? Because you’ve worked hard, stayed on track, and created something amazing together. These moments build team spirit and make the journey unforgettable.
With a solid plan, a passionate team, and a little help from Friesens amazing yearbook pros, you’ll create something truly unforgettable. So don’t hesitate to reach out, and let us help you make this yearbook your best one yet!
University of Oklahoma Professor Emerita Laura Schaub has been a national education specialist in yearbook for over 12 years. She previously served as executive director of the Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association at the University of Oklahoma, where she taught typography, design, desktop publishing, and photography. Schaub is a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Key recipient, past Oklahoma Journalism Teacher of the Year, former Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Distinguished Adviser, and was inducted into the National Scholastic Journalism Hall of Fame in 1991.
