What it is and why it matters

In yearbook design, the ladder is your planning blueprint. It shows every page of the book in order and helps you organize content before and during production.

Assigning pages in the ladder means designating specific spreads or pages to sections, topics, or team members so everyone knows what they are responsible for creating.

What Does “Assigning Pages” Mean?

When you assign a page in the ladder, you are:

Reserving that page for a specific section or topic

Assigning ownership to a student or staff member

Clarifying deadlines and responsibilities

Creating structure before design begins

For example:

Pages 2–5 → Student Life

Pages 6–15 → Academics

Pages 16–25 → Sports

Pages 26–30 → Clubs

Within those sections, you can assign individual spreads to specific students or teams.

How to Assign Pages

Step 1: Navigate to the Ladder by selecting the Manage Tab and choosing Manage Ladder in the dropdown menu

Step 2: Scroll to the page you would like to assign and click on the white boxes under Assigned To

Step 3: In the drop down menu that appears, select the users you would like to assign the page to. You can assign each page up to two users and if you assign users to the left page, the corresponding right page will also be assigned to them 

*Any non-admin users will not be able to access a page assigned to other users

*You can edit page assignments at any time

Step 4: In the Assigned To field, you will now see the names of the users you assigned the pages to

How to Filter by Assigned Pages in the Designer

Step 1: Open a page in the designer 

Step 2: Click Ladder on the top tool bar if your mini ladder is not already open 

Step 3: In the mini ladder, click the filter button

Step 4: Click on the user you would like to filter the page assignments by

*If you have not assigned any pages to a user, you will not be able to sort

Step 5: Click Show All Pages to return back to the regular non-filtered view

Why Advisors Should Assign Pages

1. Keeps the Book Organized From the Start

Assigning pages prevents confusion about what content goes where. It ensures:

• No duplicated topics
• No missing events
• Balanced coverage across the book

Without page assignments, students may start designing random spreads that do not fit the overall plan.

2. Establishes Clear Ownership

When a student is assigned a spread:

• They are responsible for gathering photos
• They write the copy and captions
• They complete the layout
• They meet deadlines
• Ownership increases accountability and pride in the final product.

3. Improves Workflow and Deadlines

Assigned pages make it easier to:

• Track progress
• Identify incomplete spreads
• Hold students accountable
• Meet submission deadlines
• Advisors can quickly see:
• Which pages are complete
• Which pages are in progress
• Who needs support

4. Supports Balanced Coverage

The ladder allows advisors to plan:

• Equal representation of grades
• Fair student coverage
• Proper section length
• Advertisement placement
• Special features or theme pages

Assigning pages ensures those coverage goals are actually carried out.

5. Encourages Team Collaboration

When pages are clearly assigned:

• Students know who to contact for specific sections
• Photographers know what events to prioritize
• Editors can review work efficiently
• It prevents overlap and miscommunication.

6. Helps With Training and Skill Development

Advisors can strategically assign:

• Simpler spreads to new staff members
• Feature-heavy spreads to experienced designers
• High-visibility pages to section editors

This builds confidence and develops leadership within the staff.

When Should Pages Be Assigned?

Most advisors assign pages:

• At the start of the year (after building the ladder)
• At the beginning of each grading period
• After fall sports or major events conclude
• When adding new spreads mid-year

Assignments can also be adjusted if staff members change roles or fall behind.

Best Practices for Advisors

• Finalize your ladder structure before assigning
• Assign spreads, not just single pages, when possible
• Set clear deadlines per spread
• Review progress weekly
• Reassign pages early if needed

Final Thoughts

Assigning pages in the ladder is more than an organizational step. It is a leadership tool. It creates structure, accountability, and clarity for your yearbook staff.

When pages are assigned intentionally, the entire book becomes more cohesive, deadlines are easier to manage, and students take ownership of their work.