Organic design: yearbook themes with a natural vibe

Thanks to Pantone, earth tones are at the forefront of trending colors. Organic design is being toted as the “new minimalism”—even Martha’s in on the craze. We’ve broken down how to bring the outside in… your yearbook. Using Treering’s pre-designed themes gives you a curated collection of nature-inspired graphics for your elementary or middle school yearbook. 

The Power of Nature in Design

Beyond trend appeal, using natural elements in design can be a metaphor for our school communities. It’s why we see so many motivational posters featuring grandiose sights. 

Additionally, nature is powerful. It positively affects our physical and mental health. It's timeless. Harnessing the power of nature in your yearbook theme requires creativity to evoke the natural world in print.

Ideas for Visual Yearbook Design

Your whole yearbook doesn’t have to be a path through the woods with milestone markers along the way. (But if it is, would you send us a copy?) Of Treering’s 200+ cover-to-cover yearbook themes, these five have the call of the wild.

Here’s why they work and how you, if you’re a DIY-er, can create a yearbook design that feels as alive as the real thing:

• Use color to capture nature’s energy (they're called plum, grass green, and seafoam for a reason)
• Add dimension by layering objects
• Emphasize elements using organic shapes and natural patterns
• Create movement with flowy or circular patterns 

How to Build a Narrative Around Nature

Illustrate personal and academic growth with graphics such as the life cycle of plants or the changing seasons. Other visuals such as roots, rivers, or the stars show our interconnectedness.

Elementary Nature Theme Ideas

• In Full Bloom
• Grounded in Greatness
• Pathways of Promise
• Rooted in Growth
• Sky’s the Limit

Middle School Theme Ideas with an Organic Vibe 

• Branching Out
• Forest of Dreams
• Move Mountains
• Seasons of Change
• Trailblazers

We love seeing student interpretations of these verbal themes with cover art contests. You can also involve the school community by using students’ photos of nature on dividers and theme pages.