(A Survival Guide for Yearbook Staffers Who’ve Hit a Wall)

Let’s be honest.

You’ve been staring at the same spread for 27 minutes.
You’ve moved the headline six times.
You’ve changed the background color… and changed it back.

You are officially stuck.

First of all? You’re not bad at design. You’re not “not creative.” You’re just in a creative slump — and every single great designer, photographer, and journalist hits this wall.

The good news? There are ways out.

Here’s your reset plan.

1. Step Away From the Screen (Seriously)

Your brain is not a machine. When you stare at a layout too long, your creativity flatlines.

Instead:

Go outside for 10 minutes
Listen to one song that hypes you up
Grab a snack
Talk to someone who isn’t in yearbook

When you come back, you’ll see mistakes and improvements instantly. Distance creates clarity.

Hot Take: If you haven’t left your chair in an hour, your design isn’t the problem. Your brain is tired.

2. Flip the Script: Change One Big Thing

If your spread feels boring, don’t tweak it — flip it.

Try one bold move:

Make the dominant photo even bigger
Switch from centered to asymmetrical layout
Change from light background to dark
Turn a headline vertical

Sometimes you’re stuck because you’re playing it safe.

Safe = stuck.
Bold = breakthrough.

3. Limit Yourself on Purpose

Creativity explodes when you add constraints.

Try this:

Only use 2 fonts (one serif, one sans serif)
Only use 1 color + black + white
Only use 3 photos
Only use squares and rectangles

When you stop giving yourself 100 options, your brain stops overthinking.

Remember what we say at RJ Ink:
Simple > Complicated. Always.

4. Steal Like an Artist (The Right Way)

No, not copy.

But absolutely get inspired.

Look at:

Magazine layouts
Instagram carousel graphics
Sports posters
Clothing brand ads

Screenshot things you like. Ask:

What do I like about this?
Is it the spacing?
The bold headline?
The color contrast?

Then reinterpret it for your theme.

Inspiration isn’t cheating. It’s fuel.

5. Switch Roles for 15 Minutes

Are you the design editor? Try writing captions.
Are you a writer? Try adjusting photos.
Are you stuck on photos? Try brainstorming headlines.

Your brain wakes up when you change tasks.

Creativity loves movement.

6. Remember the Mission

Yearbook isn’t about “perfect design.”
It’s about capturing this year.

Ask yourself:

Does this spread feel like OUR school?
Would someone smile looking at this in 10 years?
Does it tell a real story?

Sometimes you’re stuck because you’re chasing Pinterest-perfect instead of authentic.

Real > Perfect.

7. Create a “Creative Reset” Playlist

Music changes everything.

Build a playlist that:

Makes you feel confident
Makes you want to move
Makes you stop overthinking

Then make it your official yearbook creative soundtrack.

Yes, this works.

8. Do One Tiny Thing

When you feel overwhelmed, don’t redesign the whole page.

Just:

Fix the spacing on one headline
Crop one photo better
Rewrite one caption stronger

Momentum builds from small wins.

Final Truth: Being Stuck Means You Care

If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t feel stuck.

The frustration?
That’s pride.
That’s ownership.
That’s you wanting it to be good.

The best creatives aren’t the ones who never get stuck.

They’re the ones who don’t quit when they do.

If you’re reading this mid-design meltdown… Take a breath. You’ve got this.

How to Stay Creative When You Feel Stuck