While photos and graphics are extremely important elements within a class yearbook, typography is also up there. That is because your typeface compliments the overall tone of your yearbook.
Most typefaces or fonts are part of a larger font family meaning there are various versions of the font available as well as versions of it in bold and italic.
Once determined, your typography should be applied consistently throughout each section of the book and should not be adjusted or changed just to make the copy fit. Instead, your copy editing team should become involved in adjusting the copy.
Unlike with an invitation or other professional looking piece, a yearbook should utilize fonts that are simple. There also shouldn’t be too many utilized.
It is recommended to use one serif font throughout the entire copy of the book. This type of font involves small “feet” extensions at the base of the letters. In contrast, san-serif fonts do not have feet. Two popular serif choices that should be considered are Times and Garamond. They are easy to read and are very “clean” in nature.
There are also script fonts that look similar to script handwriting as well as decorative bubbly specialty fonts. It is highly recommended to use these fonts sparingly as you don’t want your yearbook to look like a cartoon, comic book.
Help Tip: Fonts are measured in points, from the top of the letter to the bottom. To visualize one inch is equal to 72 points.
When choosing the right font for your books always consider size and readability. You may want to utilize the three-font concept that involves a serif font as a headline, san-serif as a subhead and a specialty font as an accent font. Remember though, no matter what you choose though, body and caption fonts should always be from the same family.
Yearbook software such as Pictavo can help you in choosing the right fonts for your yearbook. Don’t get frustrated though, just do some testing and then determine which style your graduating class will enjoy the most!
The focal point to any yearbook is the portrait photo of the student. It creates memories that graduates are able to share with family and friends for generations to come. Unfortunately, though for a variety of reasons some students aren’t able to take a yearbook photo. Maybe they aren’t available during picture or simply camera-shy.
Here are a few alternatives a yearbook committee can provide to those students that don’t have their head-shot in the yearbook:
• Have a professional artist create an avatar illustration of the student. This could give the appearance of a photo without actually having the photo there.
• Use digital software to create a digital avatar or cartoon of the student. There are many free tools out there including Bitstrips software that make very realistic looking cartoons.
• Use a candid shot from the school year. Perhaps playing a sport or participating in the band or color guard. No one says the Yearbook photo must be a professional photo with a suit on.
• If the student simply doesn’t want any photo included, in their spot on their yearbook page, perhaps include a brief description of the student’s interests or even a personal quote they want to give.
Yearbooks are all about memories and remembering the entire class. Instead of just listing them as camera shy there are a variety of other ways those students can be commemorated and remembered with his or her classmates.
Yearbooks are great. They create instant visual memories from the day they are first seen to decades later down the road. Seeing yourself in a professional photo as well as with your classmates in clubs and teams will put lots of smiles on your face every time you turn a page.
While trends and styles change from generation to generation there are a few universal tips you will want to partake in when getting your photo taken for your class yearbook:
- Clothing: It is always best to wear solid colors or clothes with small patterns when taking your yearbook photo. Collared shirts are always a safe bet. Definitely stay away from large accessories as well as hats or any other type of headwear.
- Eyewear: If you choose to wear glasses in your yearbook photo make sure your lenses are non-reflective. You don’t want to your photo to include a glare in it.
- Hair: A good rule of thumb is to get your hair cut a week prior to your yearbook photo. This way it isn’t to overgrown but doesn’t look like you just got off the barber’s chair. In addition, it will also give you time to style it the way you want. For those with long hair and are using clips, try to stay away from ones that are too shiny as it to can cause a glare.
- Blemishes: Don’t be so concerned with a blemish or pimple on your face. With technology now, that can be virtually wiped away very quickly and easily.
A yearbook photo is something you will cherish forever. You want it to look its best. For those looking for a yearbook for their school, YearbookLife is the place to find it. We have a great selection of designs that will assist in making all students and faculty extremely proud. In addition if you purchase 150 or more books by May 1st you will receive a FREE digital camera for your school. Mention Promo Code “Springtime”. Say Cheese!
We can’t say enough how important it is to proof your yearbook from beginning to end. After all the hours and dedication you have shown this project, the proof is in the PROOFING!
Whether it’s the heading that reads “First Day of School” or a name spelled incorrectly, the effect is the same. Sorrow and disappointment for everyone. Noticing a mistake in the yearbook is devastating. Nothing could take the wind out of your sails more.
So, How Do You Avoid Mistakes In The Yearbook?
Looking at the pages a million times, your eyes may not see something that someone else’s eyes would. Having someone else look over all your pages is a must. It’s time to call in the volunteers! Some parents would love to help with something like this. What about the school secretary? She can help with the student names and classes and even staff pages. A lunch at local restaurant may be all it takes to get her help. Bottom line: GET MORE EYES ON THE PROOF.
Spell check will work when you’ve typed ‘yarebook’ instead of ‘yearbook’ but it’s useless on teacher’s names and instances of “their”, “they’re” and “there”. Reading the entire book, word for word, is a must!
Yes, we are trying to scare you! No offense but we want the hours you spent on the yearbook to be obvious to anyone that picks up a yearbook! Proofing is not fun but it will be a step that you’ll be glad you took.
Happy Proofing! (Jon, Jahnn and John will thank you)
Have you taken the time to think about how much happens throughout the school year? Maybe a student made a new group of friends or maybe they tried a new sport and found out they excelled at it. So much can happen during the course of a year. Not only do events in school happen but outside of school too, the news and media are constantly updating viewers with current events.
These current events make a great addition to any yearbook- elementary, middle or high school. Not only do students get the chance to view their personal events during their school experience, but they also have the ability to see what major events happened in the world during their school year. This Year in Review supplement is a great option to keep everyone up to date on the happenings locally and globally. Yearbook supplement pages help you remember the year’s best events! A Year in Review supplement comes in either 4 or 8 pages, all full of bright and colorful images of the current year’s events. Things like sports, politics, entertainment, and so on are some of the included topics. Year in Review supplement pages make your yearbook more than ordinary, they make your yearbook unique every single year.
When you order your yearbook from YearbookLife, don’t forget to ask about our Year in Review pages. Add that extra kick to your yearbook to make it the best and most desired yearbook your school has ever seen! Contact us today for more information on Year in Review Supplement Pages.
