August 6, 2024
Yearbook hero Arianna Fang
Treering Yearbook Heroes is a monthly feature focusing on yearbook tips and tricks.
As an elementary student, Yearbook Hero Arinna Fang volunteered for the yearbook team as soon as the opportunity opened. Publication design became a form of self-expression. The future English teacher served as an editor for her middle school yearbook, where she became the youngest winner in the Treering Spread Design Contest.
What did it mean to have your design win national recognition?
It was quite unbelievable. My teachers were really supportive, and my yearbook adviser showed the whole class.
What advice do you have for other students getting started in yearbook design?
Everything starts with a vision. For my spread, it began with the Einstein quote. I wanted the design to flow from there. If it were a math spread, I would have kept it more organized and angled.
When my classmates get stuck, I help identify the problem and fill the need. Sometimes there’s no inspiration; sometimes no flow.
Music is a help. I have playlists that I cycle through to get inspiration. I use the emotions in the music to pull into my designs.
How do you organize your yearbook team?
My adviser let us be like adults. My co-editor and I directed the design. My adviser let us be like adults, and my co-editor and I directed the design. I always think 400-something people are buying these yearbooks, and I don't want to let them down.
Regularly, we did Yearbook Updates, a slideshow with everyone’s current spread status. This helped us examine the entire book. Everyone benefited from the responses because we taught them how to speak in uplifting ways by emphasizing the positive with “This is what we want” and coaching others with “This could be improved.”
We validate each others’ voices by creating a safe place to share ideas.
How did you develop your theme visually?
We didn’t have a style guide. Everything we used came from the power of communication. When people would submit their spreads, my co-editor and I would add theme elements if warranted. This enhanced and honed the design and made it part of the overall look.
What’s the best way to get a quality quote from a middle schooler?
The biggest thing is to take a chance. I tell people to start interviewing their friends before approaching others. Ask questions about feelings. People love what they do and love to share.
Additional Middle School Yearbook Resources
(In case you don’t have a student leader like Fang...)
