Brainstorming from a pro

Occasionally, I come across a good design article that I can incorporate into my repertoire of Yearbook adviser tools. This is one such article about how to brainstorm as a team.

In it, the author lays out six simple tips to establishing a great brainstorming session.

We Start Soon!

I have spent the last few months quietly working on a staff manual that I will be printing and getting in the hands of my students in only a few short days. This has been a monumental work, and I'm hoping that we will be turning a page in the history and tradition of Mariemont's Chieftain.

So, what are we going to do first? That's simple. We need a Theme. Then we need leaders. Then we need jobs. Then we need ads. Then we need design. Then we need features. Then we need to become experts on InDesign. Then we need Photoshop skills. Then we need great photography. Then we need to meet deadlines. Then we need to edit. Then we need to index. It'll take a while, but we really are starting with the theme.

Coming Soon: Summer

Although we are still finishing last year's book, it is important to keep thinking about what will be coming next year. The Summer gives us time to sit back and relax and contemplate the yearbook and what we would like it to be.

Our Summer gathering is scheduled to be held on August 18th, which is school picture and schedule pick-up day at the high school. Stay tuned for time and location...

Lastly, just a reminder that yearbook class time is not going to be study hall time. It is important that you come ready to do yearbook work during yearbook every day. The following is going in the expectations for next year's staff manual (also a work in progress). Do not schedule to make up tests, finish homework, type papers, or anything else during our very precious class bell.

Summer is nearly upon us! See you soon.

Theme 2012 Day One

Because seniors are finished, we have some time to work on things. The core yearbook staff (people who were in the 2011 yearbook class) today discussed Theme for the first time. As of right now we have one idea. I won't let the cat out of the bag, because some of what we do is build suspense for the yearbook's release, but we are working on more ideas...

Speaking of ideas... the idea of blogging through the creation of Volume 60 of the MHS Chieftain appeals to me. I tend to use blogging as often as I can for students to share their work, and it is a practice that I think I will continue. This time they get to see me blog about my feelings and ideas on the yearbook as we develop the book.

So, as often as we work on the book, I will attempt to keep a log of what we are doing.