that essence by recording messages from people that made those moments ... side - a voice that young readers can relate
BY FUSION YEARBOOKS
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INTRODUCTION
Why leaving a great message counts Yearbooks hold all the precious memories of school years that have come and passed by. What better way to capture that essence by recording messages from people that made those moments happen.
Relive the good old days. Everything in a yearbook will help jog down one’s memory of every trip, inside joke or memorable teacher that made their school life the exciting ride that it was. But more than the book’s content are the messages that friends and teachers would leave for the individual. There are countless ways to convey a message: it might be through humour, inside jokes, a silly sketch, or a motivational quote... but what really matters is that you write from the heart.
Whether it’s from your best friend, or the classmate you only got to work with once on a group paper, keeping a timeless message from these people will make the yearbook experience even more meaningful. In an age where everything is available online instantly, it’s easy to question why writing on a yearbook still counts. Unlike the way online commentary is swept up and buried in an instant, your yearbook will stay with you forever. Have a good read!
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CONTENTS
PART 1 Types of messages •• 5 Reports •• 9 Memories •• 9 Advice
•• 10 Thank you’s and Farewells •• 10 What I Will Miss •• 11 Autographs
PART 2 How to write a great message •• 13 Principals & Teachers •• 14 Student Leaders
•• 15 Autograph Pages •• 16 What to avoid
PART 3 How to make your own messages pages in Fusion •• 18
Written Messages
•• 19
Typed Messages
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Types OF MESSAGES Everyone we encounter in our school years leaves behind a mark. These people give us stories, lessons and tales that one will keep forever, what better way to make sure these stay with us than through our yearbook. Here are some messages or reports you might want to include in your yearbook.
TYPES
REPORTS PRINCIPAL OR HEAD
If there’s one person who’s proudest of the year’s accomplishments, it’s probably the principal. With all the students’ bright futures ahead and in sight, the principal takes the responsibility to guide and inspire through words. It’s a great chance to leave a resounding message that will stay with the students as they move forward.
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REPORTS
CONTINUED
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TYPES
TEACHERS AND STAFF Teachers are here to guide through so many aspects of our school journey - no one can deny how valuable their contributions are to student life. A teacher’s message can be more than a congratulations - it can be an opportunity to inspire and motivate the young readers.
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REPORTS
CONTINUED
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TYPES
SCHOOL CAPTAINS AND HEADS
While school is the perfect place to learn from the book, students also have the ability to engage in extra curricular activities outside the normal school sphere, to prepare their skills for real world situations. To the students that took on the challenge of becoming a leader, this message is a chance to share what they’ve learnt, and to share stories of growth they’ve seen in their fellow peers. It’s also great to get a perspective from the students’ side - a voice that young readers can relate to. 7
REPORTS
CONTINUED
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TYPES
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE Since the yearbook wouldn’t have been created without the dedicated yearbook committee, it’s natural they’d want to write a little message to their readers. The hardworking bunch spent the year planning, designing and collecting content from people within the school here’s the perfect chance to share what they’ve learnt. It’s also opportune to thank everyone who contributed, and perhaps spill some insider scoop they’ve discovered about the school during their project.
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TYPES
MEMORIES
ADVICE
School will always be one of the most memorable stages in our lives. Why not immortalise a precious memory on paper? Write about the most enjoyable, fulfilling, heartfelt or hilarious moments, they’re sure to evoke a warm feeling when read in years to come.
A part of leaving the school year behind is the reflection on your past self and you now. It’s about growing up, seeing changes around you and in yourself, so it feels natural to want to impart a word of advice to peers... write it down!
••The memory you write about doesn’t have to be something grand! Often the most trivial of things can be the most enjoyable. ••Write about the first event you recall when thinking about this person. Chances are, this is the moment that is most significant to you and the yearbook owner.
••It doesn’t always have to be something serious. ••Aim to leave something timeless. ••Write something suitable for the person you’re writing a message to advise carefully!
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TYPES
THANK YOU’S AND FAREWELLS This is probably the most popular type of yearbook message. It’s simple, thoughtful, and pleasant. Here you can express your gratitude for a great school year and say goodbye to classmates - however, be warned, this could rouse a few teary eyes...
••Try to avoid generic ‘thank you’s. Adding a short message or dedication will make it sweeter. ••Be sincere in writing your thank you and farewell messages. Sincere gratitude and appreciation are one of the best things to read.
WHAT I WILL MISS Since school is such a significant chapter of your life, it’s easy to pen a note detailing what you’ll miss when you leave the year behind. Was it friends, teachers, or lunch breaks? Whatever it may be, you have an infinite amount of memories to pick from - the choice is yours!
••Be honest in writing what you’ll miss. You don’t have to think of out-of-this-world answers. ••Avoid writing something along the lines of "I will not miss anyone or anything from school." - nobody really wants to read their yearbook and see that kind of message.
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TYPES
AUTOGRAPHS
Often situated at the end of a yearbook, autograph pages offer blank pages that can be filled up with personalised messages. One can leave simple greetings, heart-felt letters, or even creative illustrations to enshrine memories of the years gone by!
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Write
YOUR OWN MESSAGE A very exciting part of having a yearbook is being given the chance to write your very own message! While there are countless ways to go about crafting this message, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.
WRITE
WRITING A MESSAGE IF YOU’RE A PRINCIPAL OR TEACHER... ••Make it short but meaningful - As a teacher, you would want to impart your last words of wisdom to your students. However, keep your message short to encourage your students to read it. ••Use inspiring but relatable quotes - Quotes have long been used as yearbook messages, but relatability is the key to making it memorable. ••Add a dash of humour - there’s no need to be serious all the time! Adding funny anecdotes or school inside-jokes will definitely make your message an epic read.
So my dear students, as you embark on a new chapter of your life, always remember that learning does not stop inside the classroom. As Henry L. Doherty said, “Be a student as long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.” Every experience in life will teach you something. You just need to keep an open mind and open heart to see what lessons the world has to offer.
QUOTE EXAMPLES “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” - Henry Stanley Haskins
“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” - Kongzi
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” - Les Brown
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WRITING A MESSAGE CONTINUED
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WRITE
IF YOU’RE A STUDENT LEADER...
I would also want to take this opportunity to thank Class A-2. You guys are simply the best classmates I could ever have. I would not have lasted as a student leader if it weren’t for your support and cooperation. As we graduate from school, let us all leave with smiling faces. Never forget the happy times we had, from the interclass intramurals to Ms. Smith’s creative homeroom classes. Oh and Mrs. Jones’ chocolate chip cookies too!
••Take this opportunity to thank your teachers and classmates - where would you be without them? Expressing gratitude always goes a long way. ••Impart some student advice to your fellow students - your experiences as a student leader are unique and not all of your classmates had a chance to be one. Sharing advice from your experiences will be very appreciated just don’t let it be all about you! ••Share the best memories your class had. For all the highs and lows, your class has been there to experience it all. Reminiscing on the best times you had together might elicit a chuckle or a collective "aww" from your classmates.
QUOTE EXAMPLES “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” - Flavia Weedn
“There is a good reason they call these ceremonies ‘commencement exercises.’ Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning.” - Orrin Hatch
“Just about a month from now I’m set adrift, with a diploma for a sail and lots of nerve for oars.” - Richard Halliburton
“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.” - John Lennon
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WRITING A MESSAGE CONTINUED
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WRITE
PRO T
Make your own yearbook autograph pages the Fusion yearbook builder at www.fusionyearbooks.com
IF YOU’RE WRITING IN AN AUTOGRAPH PAGE... ••Make it count! - It’s your last hurrah so leave a
••Write about a memorable moment you had
memorable and lasting message or quote - but keep it clean as well. ••Write something humorous:
together. ••Keep it short - you’re not the only one writing in that autograph page, so remember to be considerate to the others who haven’t written in there yet. ••Keep your handwriting legible - don’t waste your perfectly planned message with unreadable handwriting!
Written near the book spine: "I signed your crack!" Write upside down - "I’m the clown that came to town to write in your yearbook upside down." "To the best looking troll I know."
IP!
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WRITE
WHAT TO AVOID Now that you know the “do’s” of writing a message, it’s also smart to practise the “don’ts” of message writing. Consider your message like your final words: leave a positive legacy and equally positive words behind.
A little message: This message is so long
and no
one would want to read it Avoid writing a super long but I will do it anyway because you are message a good frie nd! This message is so long and no one would wa nt to Unless you are the principal or readthe it but I will do it anywa y because you are a good frie school head, you only have limited nd! This ssage is so long and no space to write your message. me Be one would want to read it but I will considerate to others. If you really do it anyway because you have to write a long message, it would are a good friend! This message is so be nicer to do so in a letter. long and no one wou ld want to
Avoid writing rude or lewd messages
Avoid being cryptic. Make your messages readable and understandable. While you might want timn!e Hwoapes to make your message memorable, no Tehrayt fu v we can bes classmateMae one really wants to spend their time again. Lady deciphering what you had written.
@&*^!
#YOLO!!!!
Avoid signing your name only and not writing a message
find I hope you t ec rf pe ur yo eday! prince som luck Haha! Good iz with uni! Kr
istz
S. Cr
Reading through messages is one of the most exciting things to do with your yearbook. Imagine what a downer it would be to be your classmate who reads through their yearbook, expecting a message from you, only to find that you just signed your name.
Keep it nice and clean, folks! 16
Design
PAGES STEP-BY-STEP
Now you know the different kinds of messages and how to write them, it’s time to design pages you can dedicate to them. Here are some tips and examples on how you can make your message page look stunning!
STEP-BY-STEP
FOR WRITTEN MESSAGES Use an Autograph page layout which has space for written messages. Once the books are printed, you can share them around and write on them.
sign here!
MESSAGES Until next time!
AUTOGRAPHS
There are a large choice of layouts in Fusion: Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there.
AUTOGRAPHS
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Simply apply, customise, and you’re done!
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STEP-BY-STEP
DESIGN FOR TYPED MESSAGES Design a message page, and paste all the notes from everyone into the page.
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Post it notes & Paper •• Find notes or paper shapes in •• ••
the Elements tab (left menu) in Fusion. Use stick note elements and arrange them on the page to create your messages. This creates a scrapbook-like effect.
PRO TIP!
Handwrite and scan the page of notes for an authentic effect.
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STEP-BY-STEP
CONTINUED
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DESIGN FOR TYPED MESSAGES
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Shapes
•• Using the search function, find shape ••
elements and drop them onto your page. Arrange shapes (and or photos) on a page to make space for messages.
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STEP-BY-STEP
CONTINUED
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DESIGN FOR TYPED MESSAGES
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Speech bubbles
•• Find speech bubbles from the search bar. •• Use speech bubble elements and arrange them with the messages. Choose to pair it with a photo or not.
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STEP-BY-STEP
CONTINUED
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DESIGN FOR TYPED MESSAGES
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Text dedications •• Select a page layout or use the text ••
tool on the Fusion App. Make the page about a singular subject such as particular person or class, and ask everyone to write a piece about that person. Scatter the text around the page.
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STEP-BY-STEP
CONTINUED
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DESIGN FOR TYPED MESSAGES
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Full page message •• Use an article page layout or use ••
the text tool on the Fusion App. Add in text excerpts from different people, or just a longer message from one person.
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STEP-BY-STEP
CONTINUED
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DESIGN FOR TYPED MESSAGES
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Messages with photos Creating these pages are almost the same as previous examples, but this time add photos to your message by using the photo placeholder elements in Fusion.
•• Photo of the person giving the •• ••
message. Photo of the people who the messages are to. Photo of events/memories that occurred between the group.
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STEP-BY-STEP
CONTINUED
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DESIGN FOR TYPED MESSAGES
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Actual photo messages •• Use the photo page layouts in •• ••
Fusion. Take a photo of the people with their messages on a sign, a piece of paper, a wall, or board. Upload them and drop them into the layout - all done! 25
WHAT IF YOU TRIED IT TODAY? You now have a few ideas to start with. Create your first messages pages to show your team how you’ve imagined them.
Login or Sign up for Free www.fusionyearbooks.com/au
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This guide is part of our brand new collection including: •• The Guide to Yearbook Covers •• The Guide to Yearbook Design •• The Guide to Yearbook Fonts and many more!
Download them for free: www.fusionyearbooks.com/au/guides
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