Yearbook editor Anne Malbon from Frank Cox High School in Virginia Beach took the time to chronicle one of her long days at last week’s CSPA Convention for the Yearbook Blog.
The day included an early flight, making her way through the NYC traffic, both attending and teaching a session, and capping the evening off by attending a Broadway show with the yearbook staff. Just another day at CSPA!
Between the fantastic weather (no coat required!), yummy food, culture, plays, shopping and the CSPA conference and great company – I’m dying to go back to New York! Miami is great, but the heat really does not compare. It’s tough going from spending 4 days in New York to going back home to spend Sunday doing a biology experiment.
What’s nice is I’ve already been able to start trying to incorperate things I learned in New York – my yearbook staff has decided to do a chronological yearbook next year, we were inspired to give it a go. I’m not quite at liberty to divulge our theme, but it’s epic if I do say so myself!
I have to say, CSPA was incredible. I will never forget the font classes my editor-in-chief had me go with him to – Steve Kent is absolutely brilliant – where he opened our eyes to the differences in fonts and perspective, how it could make or break a spread.
He was a fun and informed speaker who deserved attention from the audience. I think I went to every single one of his sessions.
As I descended into Miami, all I could think was how much I enjoyed and learned at this year’s CSPA conference. I’m actually excited to return to school on Monday, just to open up my yearbook spreads and apply what I learned, no matter how geeky that may sound.
I feel that because of the CSPA conferance, my position as editor-in-chief of Gulliver Preparatory’s Raider Yearbook in 2011 will not only make a more organized and efficient yearbook, but also one that the student body will enjoy so much more.
My second day began with an exciting session with Steve Kent on the use of fonts. He was by far, the best speaker yet.
The class was so entertaining that I stayed for his next one on Design and left with a new sense of how to make your own style and use magazines only for inspiration. His quick and clever way of speaking, and ability to engage the audience was unparalleled.
Definitely an exciting day at CSPA.
My afternoon classes on Thursday consisted of a session on theme and some time at the swap shop. The class really gave me a new perception of theme, and an understading of its changing uses.
New York City is truly an amazing city, perfect for this type of conference.
Not only did we have a chance to visit the NBC Today show before our Friday sessions, but we also had a tour at the New York Times at their new state-of-the-art headquarters, where we learned what goes into making this amazing publication.
The first thing I looked for this year when I got the schedule — the song-writing seminar being held by John Hampson whose hit, “Absolutely (Story of a Girl),” has become a classic. Last year, I had randomly walked into the session with a friend.
This year, it was what we all looked for. Coming off the subway, five of us ran to make it on time. It was incredible to get the opportunity to see and meet him, and get to see him perform his music. When I heard him talking about his process and his inspiration, it added so much to the song itself. Hopefully he’ll be coming back next year!
Yesterday I was heading to a class about graphic design when I thought I saw a familiar face – I did, an old friend of mine from a school in Atlanta, who I hadn’t seen for about 8 years.
Today I ran into a friend who goes to a different school back home. Because of the diversity of the classes and all of the people at the conference, meeting people becomes so natural and easy.
Everyone came to the conference for an obvious reason – a love of newspaper, of yearbook, video broadcasting or any other medium of publications. This is my second year coming to the conference and I still find new things everywhere I go.
Yesterday there was the St. Patrick’ Day parade and, even though our adviser wouldn’t allow us to go, the excitement was visible everywhere.
