Planner — a year-long book that integrates a calendar grid, note-taking space, and a proprietary visual system. You can choose from two structural options: one week per spread or two weeks per spread. In both cases, a complete annual planner is developed—53 weeks, a cover, and supplementary pages.
Student Assignment
The student must design a complete layout for a weekly planner covering one calendar year.
The deliverable must include:
• an overall visual concept;
• a 53-week calendar system;
• an illustration system;
• the cover, spine, flyleaf, and back cover;
• supplementary pages;
• a final, production-ready layout.
The weekly planner must remain a functional working tool: while the visual elements can be expressive and distinct, they must not impede the usability of the calendar grid or the writing space.
Planner Structure
Format
The fixed block size is 165 × 220 mm. For the weekly planner, two equally viable structural options are provided. The choice depends on the project’s concept and the desired ratio between the calendar and visual elements.Option 1. One Week Per Spread
Each of the 53 weeks occupies one spread.
One page features a calendar grid and space for notes, while the second page presents a banded illustration. The pages can be swapped—the image can be on either the left or the right.
Total volume—112 strips:
• 106 strips for the 53 weeks;
• 6 strips for supplementary information.
This option allows for a dedicated, full-format visual component for each week.
Option 2. One Week Across Two Spreads
Each of the 53 weeks occupies two spreads.
In the original structure, Monday through Saturday are placed on the first spread, while Sunday and an image are on the second. The distribution of days, writing space, and visual content can be adjusted.
The main constraint is that one week must span two spreads.
Total volume — 216 pages:
• 212 pages for the 53 weeks;
• 4 pages for supplementary information.
Calendar Grid
For each week, you must include:
• days of the week;
• dates;
• week number;
• month name;
• year;
• space for notes.
The grid structure, block size and ratio, typography, and spacing between days are determined by the overall project concept.
The dates and days of the week must be easy to locate, and you must also leave sufficient space for notes. Any element of the calendar system can be omitted if this is justified by the concept and does not compromise usability.
The first and last weeks may include dates from the neighboring year if necessary.
Before the final submission, you must verify the correctness of all dates, days of the week, week numbers, and months.
Supplemental Pages
In addition to the 53 weeks in the weekly planner, there are supplemental strips provided.
You must include the following on them:
• a title page;
• a year calendar.
The remaining pages can be used for notes, additional information, navigation, or other sections stipulated by the project concept.
Design
Illustrations
The visual system must evolve across all 53 weeks and be perceived as a cohesive project.
For imagery, you may utilize:
• illustration;
• photography;
• collage;
• typography;
• generative graphics;
• mixed media.
It is not necessary to approach each week with an entirely new concept. Images can be unified through recurring techniques, patterns, characters, themes, or another proprietary system.
In the single-week-per-spread option, a dedicated band is provided for the image. In the two-spread option, the placement and size of the image are determined by the chosen weekly structure.
The visual elements must harmonize with the calendar system and not impede the readability of the entries.
Cover Design
A complete cover design must be developed, including:
• the front panel;
• the spine;
• the back panel.
The cover must continue the visual system of the weekly planner and include the year. If necessary, the project name, author’s name, and other information can be added.
Cover and Back Cover
The cover and back cover are also designed within the overall visual system of the yearbook.
Mockups for the cover, front cover, and back cover are prepared using a master layout that accounts for production requirements.
Fonts and Third-Party Materials
Only free-for-use fonts with a license permitting free use and printing may be used.
For third-party photographs, illustrations, texts, and other materials, you must possess the usage rights.
All text, images, and other elements of the magazine must be production-ready by the time of the final submission.
Print Preparation
Layout and Files
The final layout is compiled in Adobe InDesign.Technical requirements: • Block format — 165 × 220 mm; • Images — RGB; • Raster image resolution — 300 dpi; • Bleed — 5 mm on all sides; • Text, dates, and other significant elements — no closer than 15 mm to the cut line.
If an image extends to the bleed edge, it must continue 5 mm past the trim size.
Conversion of images to the print profile is performed during the pre-press stage.
Production Files
For the final submission, you must prepare the complete set of production files and source materials.
After review, the curator places the materials in the project folder—within the private Personal section on the School’s network drive.
Production files and source materials are not made publicly available.
Production and Print Run
The weekly planner is designed for mass production.
The following print runs are considered for calculations:
250 / 500 / 1000 copies
Both options for the weekly planner are calculated separately because they differ in block size.
What to Submit
For the final submission, you must prepare:
- Project description;
- Visualization of the finished weekly planner;
- Several characteristic spreads for presentation;
- The complete layout for all 53 weeks;
- Additional pages;
- The design for the front cover, spine, and back cover;
- The front and back endpapers;
- A correct calendar grid for the entire year;
- The original Adobe InDesign file;
- Linked images;
- Used fonts.
The deliverable for this assignment must be a fully laid-out weekly planner, not just a concept or a few demonstration spreads.
Questions and Answers
Is it possible to change the page layout in the first version of the weekly planner (one week—one spread)?
Yes. The illustration and calendar page can be swapped.
Is it possible to change the structure of the second version (one week—two spreads)?
Yes. The arrangement of weekdays, space for notes, and imagery can be changed. However, the principle remains mandatory: one week must occupy two spreads.
Can the weekly planner be a different size?
No. The block format is fixed—165 × 220 mm.
Is it possible to remove one element from the calendar grid?
Yes, if this decision is justified by the concept and the weekly planner remains clear and easy to use.
Can photographs and other third-party materials be used?
Yes, provided they meet the technical requirements and you have the necessary usage rights.
Can the weekly planner be laid out in Illustrator?
The final layout must be assembled in Adobe InDesign. Illustrator, Photoshop, and other programs can be used to prepare individual elements and images.