In his latest column, Walsworth's Jim Jordan explains how the Adviser Mentor Program helps new yearbook advisers by providing a friend to guide and encourage them.
“Suzy, you are going to be the academics editor of the 2018 yearbook.” These words strike pride, excitement and dread into academics editors across the country. Why? Let’s explore that for a few minutes. Yes, you have a great responsibility. You are in charge of a portion of the book. Yes, a portion that could…
HEY, why are you using font sizes that can be read from the space station? You and your students have a vision for the final project. Hopefully, in that vision, you dream of a classy, sophisticated book that your student body and community will love. You know your colors, you’ve planned great coverage, you’re getting…
One of my favorite memories of advising yearbook has very little to do with the actual production of the yearbook. Instead it has to do with developing caring young adults. I was determined to teach my students that giving a portion of themselves to the world around them is more important than constantly taking from…
Basic design knowledge is necessary to creating a strong yearbook. Teaching students how and why design is important is a worthwhile exercise. It may seem to take forever, but once students grasp the basics, they will soon be able to use those skills to create a sophisticated spread. You can start here with my Top…
Two seconds is how long the average reader will look at a spread before turning the page. So it’s the designer’s job to try to capture those wandering eyes by using attractive yet planned design. Filling the page with more pictures will not help a reader stay on the spread. What will help is the…
Open up some random photo folders on your computers and look carefully at the pictures saved for your yearbook. Do you notice that many photos are of one person? This is particularly noticeable in certain sports such as golf, tennis and swimming. Having one person in a photograph is great. More than likely, this person…
If you were to divide the students in your school into three groups they would fall into: Those involved in school activities Those involved in sports Others Students involved in activities and sports have more in common than just school work. The others are simply there to be educated. When you look at the index…
Inspiration is everywhere. It is on the Internet via sites such as Pinterest and Issuu. It is at the local grocery story on the magazine racks or greeting card aisle. It’s even in store windows and on television. But how exactly do you go from a cool magazine idea that you find to an awesome…
Let’s get it out there right away – Football, Class of 2015 or Seniors are not headlines! They are topics. Now that we have that out of the way, set a goal for this year to write and design visually appealing headlines.
You have a great marketing program right in front of you. Remember that great cover, phenomenal coverage and awesome photography? Use your book to market and sell more books!
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