©2019 by Jostens, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

YEARBOOK DESIGN

STEP 1:

Establish column grids, the invisible framework for page content. All elements fall within the column grid without stopping in the middle or gutter. This sample uses a 24-column grid, spaced 1-pica apart, referred to as standard spacing.

STEP 2:

Select a dominant photo. In general, the strongest image should be chosen—taking into account technical quality and storytelling power.

The dominant image is the first thing placed on the page and serves as a focal point. It’s noticeably larger, and often placed near the center of the page design, carefully crossing the gutter.

STEP 3:

Direct the reader’s eye. The dominant photo determines the placement of a horizontal eyeline, which appears somewhere above or below exact center and crosses the page gutter. All page elements are placed either above or below the eyeline

Create a dominant module that directs eyeflow toward the headline, strategically pulling the reader into the story.

STEP 4:

Place additional photos. Secondary photos contrast the dominant module using a variety of modular shapes and sizes.

Maintain the eyeline, follow the column grid, and use consistent standard spacing between elements. A rail of expanded spacing may also be used.

STEP 5:

Add in captions. Captions should be placed within the column grid, to the outside rather than between the photos, appearing adjacent to the photos they describe, to avoid confusion.

Maintain a consistent width for the captions. Combining two columns is standard spacing.

Yearbook design is an organized process that follows standard principles for design and adapts them to the unique form of scholastic journalism and yearbook publication.

MOD-ING IT UPUSING MODS TO INCREASE COVERAGEGetting creative with coverage makes a big difference, especially with smaller books. Modular layouts often use several story packages, each containing copy and photos, on each page or spread. With a contemporary look and feel, these designs maximize coverage, by reaching more students on each yearbook spread and addressing a wider variety of topics.

It’s also easy to master modular design by taking a standard layout and converting it. The original yearbook spread below features 26 faces, 13 photos, and one story with quotes. That’s solid coverage, but by considering most of the photo blocks as modular mini-layouts, coverage is enhanced.

Adds a dominant photo module

Turns one photo into four

Adds a headshot/quote module

Covers four people instead of one

Adds two photos to diversify coverage

Turns one photo into three

Adds a survey/poll and results

Reaches 100+ students

Adds two photos in place of oneVaries coverage—types of photos

©20198 by Jostens, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The new design features 44 faces, 26 photos, 150 survey participants, 10 storytelling quotes and one story with quotes.

ORIGINAL DESIGN

MODULES THAT ARE MODIFIED

NEW DESIGN