1. Reader Entry Points

2. Reader Entry Points
Visual content elements that pull the viewer into the design with the goal of turning the viewer into a reader are called reader entry points.
Reader entry points increase the sophistication and visual appeal of the yearbook spread.
An effective design transitions viewers into scanners and then into readers. Reader-entry points are visual elements that pull the viewer into the design. Reader entry points increase the sophistication and visual appeal of the yearbook spread.

3. Reader Entry Points
The dominant photograph and the spread’s main headline are powerful and obvious reader entry points.
The dominant photo, because of its size and storytelling content, captures reader attention. A carefully crafted and well designed headline presentation is the next critical reader entry point on the spread.

4. Reader Entry Points
Here are some secondary content elements that serve as reader entry points:
Content modules
Logos/icons
Drop caps
Typographic dingbats
Storytelling photos to supplement dominant image
Pulled quotes
Subheadings to divide stories into copy bites
Mug shots
Infographics
Photo illustrations
After the dominant photo and the spread’s main headline command attention, there are many secondary content elements that serve as reader entry points. Review the list, making sure that beginning students understand each of the content elements:

5. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
This yearbook spread is a dynamic visual presentation that uses reader entry points well. As a result, the design is engaging to the reader and offers content in a variety of visually interesting ways.
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

6. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
DOMINANT PHOTO
DOMINANT PHOTO | What is the first thing you notice on this yearbook spread? The obvious answer is the dominant photo. Because the dominant photo is clearly the largest element on a spread, and its content is strong, the dominant photo is the most powerful reader entry point.
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

7. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
HEADLINE PRESENTATION
HEADLINE PRESENTATION | The spread’s main headline presentation is often the next item the reader notices on the spread. For this reason, the main headline is often placed so the dominant photo gently directs the eye into the headline. In this case, the headline and story module overlaps the dominant photo.
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

8. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
BOLD FIRST WORDS | Sometimes reader entry points can be subtle. By placing the first words of the story in all-caps and bold, the eye moves from the headline presentation directly into the story.
BOLD FIRST WORDS
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

9. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
SECONDARY PHOTOS
SECONDARY PHOTOS | Because of their realism, photos are always reader entry points. Designers need to take care to arrange photos with logical spacing and clear hierarchy.
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

10. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
OVERSIZED LETTER
OVERSIZED-LETTER | An enlarged initial letter becomes a graphic element and ultimately a reader entry point into the content module below.
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

11. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
CONTENT MODULE
CONTENT MODULE | Contemporary yearbook design calls for a lot of verbal and visual storytelling. Content modules, if designed correctly, can be effective reader entry points without calling too much attention to themselves. This tall content module is enhanced with a light-color background to define its space. Bold subheadings and typographic dingbats are used as subtle reader entry points into the text.
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

12. St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]
CONTENT MODULE
CONTENT MODULE | Cut-out background photos provide strong reader entry points into this module. To define the space without overpowering the content, rule lines frame the module.
St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

13. PRACTICE
Identify the reader entry points on a sample yearbook design by completing the Entry Points worksheet.

14. USE
Edit existing spreads or create a new spread to include at least four entry points.
Content modules
Typographic dingbats
Drop caps
Pulled quotes
Storytelling photos to supplement dominant image
Subheadings to divide stories into copy bites
Infographics
Mug shots
Photo illustrations
Logos/icons