Project 8

Mini-yearbooks
Timing: 12 to 16 hours

Project overview
A yearbook, or annual, is frequently used to record, commemorate, and highlight a school year. At most institutions, student teams publish yearbooks. Some countries and organizations also publish yearbooks as annual summary reports. In this project, students form teams to develop and create a yearbook. The students create templates of several double-page layouts and create reusable graphics and illustrations to implement thematic and design consistency throughout the yearbook. Student product: Mini-yearbook

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Mini-yearbooks

Project objectives
At the completion of the project, students will have developed the following skills:
Project management skills Assigning and managing roles Creating and managing a production plan Creating a style guide Technical skills InDesign Creating master pages Converting text to outline Using the Paste Into command Designing facing-page spreads Bleeding photos Working with the gutter Combining multiple files Using books Creating tables of content and indexes Applying stroke, scale, and skew to text Using sections Using object styles Understanding Illustrator symbols Using the symbol sprayer Creating a contact sheet Creating a picture package

Design Skills Designing and creating double-page layout spreads Bleeding photos across pages Gathering or creating reusable graphics and illustrations Designing and creating reusable page treatments Designing and creating thematically linked pages Designing and creating backdrops for photo pages

Illustrator

Research and communication skills Communicating to peers, instructors, and the community Researching and investigating yearbooks Researching and gathering information on school activities Planning and selecting what information is important Planning and conducting focus groups Completing a review and redesign cycle Presenting yearbook and reflection

Photoshop

Project materials
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended installed on all machines Adobe InDesign CS4 installed on all machines Adobe Illustrator CS4 installed on all machines Adobe Acrobat 9 Professional installed on all machines Guide: Project plan InDesign guide: How to reuse objects with libraries (from Project 7) InDesign guide: How to use document templates (from Project 7) Guide: Peer review (from Project 5) InDesign guide: How to fill text with an image InDesign guide: How to use master pages InDesign guide: How to use object styles InDesign guide: How to use books Illustrator guide: How to use the symbol sprayer

Mini-yearbooks

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Background preparation resources

Technical and content information Key terms ISTE NETS*S Standards for Students Adobe Certified Associate, Visual Communication objectives

Project steps
Planning a mini-yearbook
(Suggested time: 100150 minutes)

1. Discuss the goals of this project: Create a small yearbook. Build a yearbook, using templates. Prepare yearbook for print production. 2. Show the class examples of yearbooks. Specifically focus on double-page layout spreads and thematic ways to integrate content by using illustrations, templates, imagery, and so on. Note: You might want to gather some examples of yearbooks to show students. Additionally, discuss how themes are often used to unite the yearbook elements from the opening cover to the closing pages. 3. For each example, discuss its purpose and its audience. Also discuss the elements of a yearbook. Some items to include are: Cover Theme Double-page spreads Ads Index Eyeline Body copy Headlines Captions Photos (dominant, supporting, bleed, etc.) Graphics and illustrations Page numbering

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Mini-yearbooks

4. Discuss yearbook production terminology. Some items to include are: Opening and closing: First and last spread pages introduce and conclude the theme. Title page: First page of the yearbook; should include yearbook and school names and all relevant contact information. Signature: Sixteen-page section of the book, made up of two sides of the page. The signatures are folded, stitched, and trimmed and then collated to make the yearbook. Flat: Eight-page section of the book. For instance, one flat of the first signature of the yearbook is pages 1, 45, 89, 1213, and 16; the other flat is pages 23, 67, 1011, and 1415. Spread: Side-by-side or facing pages in the yearbook; for instance, pages 23, 45, 67, and so on. Ladder: Page-by-page plan of the yearbook, planned in flats and signatures. Gutter: Vertical space where the two pages of a spread meet. Internal margin: Space between elements on a page. Note: Explain how color is purchased in flats and signatures and the way it impacts the cost of a yearbook. For instance, if they purchase 1-16 (one signature) and then put color on the facing page to 16 (page 17) then they will be billed for another full flat of color. 5. Form student teams of two or three people. Where possible, mix members with different strengths, such as visual design or technical skill. Discuss the concept of working as a team and roles in yearbook production. Roles to cover include: Editors Writers Art directors Photographers Designers Note: Remind students in a particular role that they are simply the task manager for the role. Students work cooperatively on all tasks, but team members individually are responsible for tracking quality and completeness based on their roles. You can combine or split roles as necessary to accommodate the number of members on a team. 6. Introduce the project by explaining the guidelines for the yearbook. Guidelines might include: Length of 15 to 20 pages. Incorporate various yearbook elements, especially theme, discussed earlier. Two to four distinct page layout templates used throughout the yearbook. At least one double-page layout spread. Three to four sections (for instance, select one class, one academic, one sport, and one extracurricular activity to feature; select one to two fun sections such as candid photos or superlatives). 7. Allow teams time to assign roles for task managers and brainstorm the theme and goals for the yearbook.

Mini-yearbooks

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

8. Allow teams time to create a project plan for their yearbook that includes number of pages, number of sections, content, and number and content of photographs. Have students complete the high-level milestones and tasks knowing they will add details once designs are finalized. Note: Remind students to plan for contingencies when setting due dates. Guide: Project plan 9. In addition to the project plan, discuss a yearbook ladderyearbook terminology for a page-by-page plan for the book. The ladder is an organizational device that helps determine the number of pages in a book and the content for each page and can become the blueprint for the yearbook. A ladder includes the number of pages for: Opening theme People section Sports section Ads Index Color pages Note: If you choose to have your students create a ladder, review the background resources section for specific guidelines for creating a ladder.
Designing a mini-yearbook (Suggested time: 150200 minutes)

10. Discuss streamlining the production process by creating reusable assets, a style guide, and templates (see Project 7 on newsletters). InDesign guide: How to reuse objects with libraries (from Project 7) InDesign guide: How to use document templates (from Project 7) 11. Allow teams time to sketch layout designs on paper of their yearbook sections. Explain that they should also provide descriptive words of the theme and layout. Within each team, ask students to approve two possible designs for yearbook sections. Using Photoshop, have students create design comps for each section to test with peers. 12. Pair student teams and have them conduct a peer review of each teams design comps and theme. Then allow teams time to incorporate feedback to have one approved design for each section. Guide: Peer review (from Project 5) 13. Based on design decisions, have students fill details in their project plans. 14. Explain that each group should create a prototype in InDesign of 35 pages of their yearbook and then organize a focus group of their peers to obtain feedback from their potential yearbook customers. Explain that they need to prepare questions for the focus group and then redesign their prototype based on feedback. Note: You might want to review with students the purpose and tips for conducting a focus group from Project 4.

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Mini-yearbooks

15. As student teams prepare to create a layout design, they might need to use one or more of the following advanced InDesign techniques based on their yearbooks. Demonstrate these techniques to help students implement their layout designs: Fill text with an image. Use master pages. Create and use object styles to maintain consistency. Use books that can share styles, swatches, master pages, and other items. InDesign guide: How to fill text with an image InDesign guide: How to use master pages InDesign guide: How to use object styles InDesign guide: How to use books 16. Instruct students to make any necessary redesign changes to the yearbook layout, according to the focus group feedback, and settle on their final layout designs. 17. According to the project plan and each team members role, allow students time to gather and prepare elements for their yearbooks. Have them use automated tasks such as Contact Sheet to review and select photos to use in the yearbook and Picture Package to develop a simple page layout for multiple pictures. Have students revisit project plans and check in with you to provide progress reports during this process, adjusting content or milestones based on the challenges they encounter. Note: If students are preparing to take the Visual Communication certification exam encourage them to use the automated tasks in Photoshop, such as the contact sheet and the picture package.
Building a mini-yearbook
(Suggested time: 400450 minutes)

18. Explain that students will continue to learn how to use Illustrator to create vector-based graphics and illustrations they can use to make the yearbook content interesting and entertaining. Using the I do, we do, you do method, demonstrate how to use the symbol sprayer to create interesting backdrops. Illustrator guide: How to use the symbol sprayer 19. Allow each team time to build and finalize their yearbook according to their project plan. Remind students to reassess their project plans to be sure they are still on track, meeting with you to provide regular updates. Note: Remind students to get permission for any images they have not created themselves. 20. When all yearbook elements are finalized and delivered, prepare the final yearbook for the printer in flats and signatures. 21. Help students print and bind their yearbooks if resources allow.

Mini-yearbooks

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Presenting a mini-yearbook (Suggested time: 50100)

22. Instruct each team to create a presentation of their final yearbook, explaining the design principles they employed throughout the process, the experience of working as a team, their tracking project milestones, and what they learned through each review and redesign cycle.

Extension activities
You can extend the project in the following ways: Marketing and sales plan: To help students continue to learn about yearbook production, have them take the next steps: planning how to sell advertisements and how to market and sell the yearbook. Yearbook business: Have students investigate the business of making yearbooks to understand the roles and opportunities available in this field. You might have them research and create a report on the structure of the business and the types of opportunities that exist for individuals. Real world experience: Ask your schools yearbook coordinator to speak to the class about the production and costs of producing a full-length yearbook. Ask the yearbook coordinator to be a part of the review and redesign cycle of the mini-yearbooks.

Assessment
Project rubric

Background preparation resources

Review the student step-by-step guides referenced in this project. For an overview of the interface and for more information on the technical aspects of Photoshop, see Photoshop Help. For an overview of the interface and for more information on the technical aspects of InDesign, see InDesign Help. For an overview of the interface and for more information on the technical aspects of Illustrator, see Illustrator Help. For an overview of the interface and for more information on the technical aspects of Acrobat, see Acrobat Help. You might supplement this project with the following design and typography books: Lupton, E. (2004). Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Review the companion website: www.thinkingwithtype.com. Lawler, B. (2006). The Official Adobe Print Publishing Guide, Second Edition. Berkeley: Adobe Press. Williams, R. (2007). Robin Williams Design Workshop, Second Edition. Berkeley: Peachpit Press.

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Mini-yearbooks

 Akers, M.; Ender, P.; Schaub, L. (1999). Scholastic Yearbook Fundamentals. New York: Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
Yearbooks

Articles and tutorials for planning a yearbook: www.walsworthyearbooks.net/ContentMgr.nsf/0/7CD03F39D1C576FE86256EF4005A5ECE?op endocument. Suggestions and examples for creating a ladder, a yearbook term for documenting the yearbooks content page by page: www.yearbooks.biz/?event=FAQ.Detail&faq=159. Example of how a theme was used throughout a yearbook: www.yearbooks.biz/?event=FAQ.Detail&faq=161. Examples and design ideas for yearbooks based on categories: www.yearbooks.biz/?event=Showcase.Main. A yearbook showcase gallery: www.walsworthyearbooks.net/ContentMgr.nsf/0/766A61E1D34FEFC086256EF4005FC11A?op endocument. Yearbook design tips for layout and photographs: http://expressly-yours.net/yearbook_design/how_to.php. Instructions for creating a contact sheet in Photoshop: www.adobe.com/go/ps_cs4_contact_sheet. Instructions for creating a picture package in Photoshop: www.adobe.com/go/ps_cs4_picture_package.

Key terms
gutter spread signature flat title page internal margin ladder

Mini-yearbooks

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

ISTE NETS*S Standards for Students

This project is aligned to the ISTE NETS*S Technology Standards. Depending on the subject and content area the student selects, you may research your own state content standards to see how this project aligns to your state requirements. 1. Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products using technology. Students: a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes. b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression. 2. Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students: b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. 3. Research and Information Retrieval Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students: a. plan strategies to guide inquiry. b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks. 4. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students: a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation. b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project. 5. Digital Citizenship Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students: a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning. 6. Technology Operations and Concepts Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations. Students: a. understand and use technology systems.

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Mini-yearbooks

b. select and use applications effectively and productively.

Adobe Certified Associate, Visual Communication objectives

3.3 3.4 Demonstrate knowledge of importing, exporting, organizing, and saving. Demonstrate knowledge of producing and reusing images.

Assessment
0 - Does not meet expectations Brainstorm 3 - Meets expectations 5 - Exceeds expectations

Absent or incomplete.

Identified theme and goals of yearbook. Assigned roles and responsibilities and provided descriptive words and sketch of layout ideas.

Identified theme and goals of yearbook. Assigned roles and responsibilities and provided descriptive words and sketch of logo layout ideas with clear purpose and goal. Project plan clearly and explicitly details the estimated hours, the delivery date, and the owner of specific tasks in each project phase: the project definition phase, the design phase, the building phase, the delivery phase. Project plan identifies assets requiring copyright or fair use permission. Students accurately track and report on milestones.

Project plan

Absent or incomplete.

Project plan details the estimated hours, the delivery date, and the owner of specific tasks in each project phase: the project definition phase, the design phase, the building phase, the delivery phase. Project plan identifies assets requiring copyright or fair use permission. Students accurately track and report on milestones.

10

Mini-yearbooks

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

0 - Does not meet expectations Focus group

3 - Meets expectations

5 - Exceeds expectations

Absent, incomplete, or unfocused.

Focus group questions ask for feedback on yearbook design and layout. Focus group is planned, scheduled, and conducted with potential yearbook customers. Focus group findings are recorded and summarized. Teams review their design comps and redesigns according to focus group feedback.

Focus group questions ask for specific and pointed feedback on the yearbook design and layout. Focus group is planned, scheduled, and conducted with a variety of potential yearbook customers. Focus group findings are recorded and summarized with specific redesign notes. Teams review their design comps and redesigns according to focus group feedback. Yearbook has an original and compelling theme and goals that are evident from the opening to closing pages. The yearbook is 15 20 pages and incorporates appropriate yearbook elements (cover, photos, captions, headlines, and so on). Yearbook properly applies copyright and fair use guidelines. Yearbooks content is well-written, copyedited, and covers 34 different sections. Yearbook utilizes 24 layout templates with at least one double-spread layout. Team hands in yearbook ladder and InDesign book showcasing master pages, styles, and so on. Yearbook employs clear, consistent, and appropriate design and typography. Yearbook is prepared in flats and signatures as PDF files for a professional printer.

Yearbook content

Absent, incomplete, or unfocused.

Yearbooks theme and goals are for multiple student audiences. Yearbook is 1520 pages and incorporates yearbook elements (cover, photos, captions, headlines, and so on). Yearbook properly applies copyright and fair use guidelines. Yearbooks content is written for 34 different sections.

Yearbook design

Absent, incomplete, or unfocused.

Yearbook utilizes 24 layout templates with at least one double-spread layout. Yearbook employs consistent design and typography. Yearbook is prepared in flats and signatures for a professional printer.

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated

Mini-yearbooks

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0 - Does not meet expectations Presentation

3 - Meets expectations

5 - Exceeds expectations

Presentation explains the design principles employed throughout the process, the experience of working as a team, and reflection and analysis on what students learned from each review and redesign cycle.

Presentation is clear and compelling. Presentation evaluates and explains design principles employed throughout the process. Presentation clearly explains peer interaction, collaboration, teamwork. Presentation reflects on and analyzes what students learned from each review and redesign cycle and details the focus group experience. Student collaborates freely with other students to provide feedback or assistance. Fulfills assigned team roles and contributes equally to project work. Consults with other team members on major project decisions and voluntarily helps others build skills to complete the project. Teams efficiently and effectively collaborate and interact with peers, experts, or others to create design comps and final yearbook. Teams efficiently and effectively plan and manage multiple steps to ensure delivery to client and approval for design comps, content, and a final product. Student thoughtfully and effectively allots time for each phase of the design and development process. Completes all phases on schedule.

Team work

Absent or incomplete.

Student collaborates with other students as required to provide feedback or assistance. Fulfills assigned team roles and contributes equally to project work. Sometimes consults with other team members on major project decisions but makes minimal effort to help others build skills. Teams plan and manage multiple steps to ensure delivery to client and approval for design comps, content, and a final product.

Time management

Absent or incomplete.

Student allots time for each phase of the design and development process. Completes most phases on schedule.

12

Mini-yearbooks

2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated