Sometimes the perfect theme doesn't show up right away, and that's okay. As your team starts planning, brainstorming, and bouncing around ideas, a theme might naturally bubble to the surface. The best themes are subtle, flexible, and feel like they belong to your school and this specific year. It shouldn't feel forced...it should feel like it fits like a glove.

FIVE STEPS TO A SOLID THEME

1. GENERATE IDEAS: Start with a big brainstorming session. No idea is too wild or out-there at this stage. Look through past yearbooks, browse Pinterest, scroll through pop culture sites, and flip through a thesaurus. Think about what makes this year different.
   
   
2. RECORD EVERYTHING: And we mean everything. Encourage everyone to keep their own notes so nothing gets lost.
   
   
3. DEVELOP YOUR FAVOURITES: Break into small groups and have each team flesh out one or two ideas. They should come back with:

• A theme phrase or concept
• A rough opening ecxplanation
• Design ideas (colours, fonts, logos, etc)
• Cover and endsheet concepts
• A plan for how the theme will show up throughout the book
  
  

4. DISCUSS & REFINE: Bring the class back together and have each group present. Ask questions, give feedback, and work towards a theme that feels right for everyone. The best themes are inclusive, easy to understand, and specific to your school and year.
   
   
5. EVALUATE & CHOOSE: Once you've narrowed it down, vote! A secret ballot can help everyone feel comfortable sharing their opinion. You can also bring in your admin, Print Consultant, or someone outside the class for a fresh perspective.
   
   
   
   
   

THEME PITFALLS TO AVOID

Remember that not every theme idea is a winner. Watch out for these common traps:

• The Soap Box: Avoid turning your theme into a personal rant or opinion piece.
• The Rubber Stamp: Repeating the same element over and over without variation gets old really fast.
• The Trend Setter: What's trendy now might feel outdated by the time the book is printed.
• Too Clever: If no one gets it, it's not working.
• Shock Value: Being edgy just for the sake of being edgy usually backfires.
• Overdone: If it's been used a dozen times before, it might be time for something new.

Remember that inspiration is everywhere, and can strike in unexpected places. Take note of menus, packaging, advertisements, and even murals around town. Keep and open mind and let your environment spark new ideas.