Flashback
Rock Bridge High School, Columbia, Mo.
Theme: “Breathe”
Adviser: Robin Stover
Editors: Abby Holman and Kristen Williams
Yearbook representative: Stephanie Gladbach
Here’s another school with the theme of “Breathe.” However, instead of relying on a strong, dominant image (such as the red tree that was used in Manchester Junior/Senior High’s 2011 “breathe” book), the focus here is on typography. The cover is white, with light purple and gray words, some of them highlighted by a clear silkscreen that causes them to shine under direct light. Related words, such as “gulp,” “sniff” and “inhale,” are action-driven and complement the commandment of “breathe.”
Strong design can be understated. Here, all that is on the front endsheets are the words “BREATHE IN” in all caps, along with section names and page numbers. Words and numbers appear in reverse white type over a dark gray background. The back endsheets offer the words “BREATHE OUT.”
With its gorgeous typography, it is clear that the Rock Bridge staff likely spent a great deal of time weaving together contrasting fonts and font weights. Serif, sans serif, handwriting, bold, all lowercase and all caps are included in one copy block in simple black. The background of a light, billowing scarf of smoke makes the directive “breathe” a visual one.
Having the two opening spreads run completely in black and white is a bold choice. Surely the staff knew that their peers typically would go for color – and busy, competing imagery. These two spreads are artistic and beautiful. The first shows a girl behind foggy glass writing the word “breathe” with her index finger. The copy is clever, and instead of telling the reader the copy continues on the next couple of pages, the text reads: “Pause. Hold your breath till pg. 5…”
After directing readers to hold their breath as they turn from the previous page, the first line of page 5 tells its readers, “Now let it out.” This type of clever copy keeps the theme from becoming too heavy and serious. The black-and-white dominant image on this spread is of a person blowing a bubble, using a plastic wand. This helps bring “breathe” to life, which is no easy feat. Staff members who came up with the visuals for these pages should be commended.
Once again, it bears mentioning that the theme and divider pages are done completely in black and white, using typography to contrast and make words visual. This is so uncommon in yearbooks today, since most schools have made the leap to completely color books. Staffs often forget that black and white offers sophistication and artistry, and sets a completely different tone from color.
Flipping through this book reveals a treatment of color images that complements the theme. Instead of going for rich, oversaturated hues and filters that are popular currently, the colors are slightly faded, light and airy. The result is a consistent look throughout the book of light black-and-white and color imagery that fits together.
At first glance, these portrait pages most likely would be passed over. But a closer look reveals interesting takes on a common word. On this spread, five students explain what they think of when they hear the word “first.” Their responses range from a first kiss to the first time one sophomore ate tuna. This is a great way to fit in more voices and to include people who may not be club joiners or sports jocks. The responses are far more interesting than clichéd sophomore stories about getting a driver’s license or playing a varsity sport.
The imagery is of a girl walking away from the word “breathe.” The tone of the copy has switched from an undercurrent of humor in the opening to one of sentimentality in the closing. But it’s not overdone. The last couple of sentences read: “Without your breath, all that remained was an empty, suffocating building. Knowing these things, you left this place breathless.”
