Legend
William R. Boone High School, Orlando, Fla.
Theme: “Just saying”
Adviser: Renee Burke
Editors: Caley Brock and Allison Sloan
Yearbook representatives: Missy Green, Adam Livesay, Jenna Fabick
The cover is unique, with a totem pole, which has special meaning to the school, being the primary visual element. The school’s teams are called Braves, so the Native American connection is apparent. However, totem poles often are considered symbols of storytelling; so to have several quotations and sayings, followed by the words “just saying,” radiating from the pole, gives the cover a subtext that transcends cool graphic design. Interestingly, the graphic element of colored squares that appears throughout the book is introduced on the back.
Sayings continue on the left side of the spread with the theme and mascot in gray. On the right, one-word theme section spin-offs are listed next to page numbers within “tabs.” Reader curiosity is piqued from not listing the traditional sections and only having the titles: express, discuss, voice, shout, chatter and share.
The first photo is shown on the title page, where all of the elements converge. The feature of a student quote is introduced and appears on every spread.
This spread is clean and simple, compared to the presentation so far, and the graphic elements are interesting. The five-square grouping from the back cover reappears, with a note from the editor-in-chief in a handwriting font. The student quote moves up next to the left-side tab where it will stay, and a pull quote is enhanced by a photo filter that changes a mug into a black-and-white sketch. The copy weaves in section names, and jumps to a second opening spread.
Text on the second spread continues to introduce section names, but the tone is not one of just trying to sell the theme by using clever copy; students voice experiences that provide supporting evidence. “I’ve lived in a country with political and social injustice [but] living in the U.S., it’s easy to become an advocate of anything you believe in,” says the founder of the school’s Serendipity Club, to support the title of “chatter.”
Especially notable within this spread is that its section editor writes, “My section is the only section in the book that interests every student. It’s about their lives and the average student.” That is this section’s theme spin-off, “Express,” in action. (Perhaps other editors might not agree!) Visually, the spread stays very close to the opening theme spreads and continues to provide a strong, organized way for readers to digest content.
To see important issues that defined the cultural context of the year explained through the experiences of students and their families is always impressive. But to have so many hand-drawn and computer enhanced illustrations used for impact is fantastic. Integrating this approach was no easy task, to be sure, but the Boone staff does it wonderfully, using subtle touches within other spreads that build toward full-page spreads.
There are several other impressive spreads, but this one stands out for a couple of reasons. First, it includes many people visually without cluttering the design. This is especially important when featuring performing groups with several members. Also, the way the sketch is used as a design element keeps that aspect alive, and it extends to sections throughout the book, including sports.
It’s a solid closing with no real surprises, so the repetition of elements provides a pleasing ending. By closing with three pages, one spread provides a sense of completion, with its copy jumping to the last page. Only a few lines conclude on the last page, so it’s mainly done for visual effect. It’s encouraging to see a staff work with the awkward challenge of designing a three-page closing; it seems to provide a nice symmetry to the title page. Thoughtful choices such as this permeate the book.
It’s a solid closing with no real surprises, so the repetition of elements provides a pleasing ending. By closing with three pages, one spread provides a sense of completion, with its copy jumping to the last page. Only a few lines conclude on the last page, so it’s mainly done for visual effect. It’s encouraging to see a staff work with the awkward challenge of designing a three-page closing; it seems to provide a nice symmetry to the title page. Thoughtful choices such as this permeate the book.
