The document summarizes the process of creating a calendar for a school project. The student initially planned to make a car advertisement using Grand Theft Auto footage but realized this would not meet the independent work requirement. They then decided to create an A3-sized photo calendar of London landmarks taken by themselves. Key tools used included the move, rectangle, and text tools in Photoshop. The student reflects on strengths like added details for holidays, and weaknesses like not achieving a shiny front cover effect. Overall they are pleased with completing the independent work and feel the calendar layout and binding make it look professional.

1. Evaluation
In January 2014 we were set the unit 21 task of an independent project, firstly I
decided that I wanted to create my own video where I would make a car advert using
video game footage from GTA Grand Theft Auto, however about 3 weeks into the
project I realised that the footage I would record would have been found footage this
means it would have not been (independent) created by me. Therefore I decided to
change my idea to photography where I would make my own calendar using self-
taken photos of London I decided to change my idea because I wanted to be sure I
could meet the unit target.
Planning
The programme I used to make my calendar is Photoshop.
My planning was quite brief because once I had finally decided what I wanted to do I
had ideas in my head, imaging what I wanted it too look like so I just wanted to get
on and experiment in Photoshop until I found a design I was happy with, this meant I
didn’t want to spend too
much time planning as I
was already a bit behind
on time.
After

2. The design on the left was my first draft of my calendar. However I decided to
change it because I wanted it too look more up market and reach a higher grade
target audience.
Colour connotations
Tools used
The tool I used most frequently was the (move tool) this is because once I was happy
with the consistent features of each page such as the background. I then used this
tool to drag it onto the next page of the calendar this is because it is the quickest way
to copy something as the keeps the correct size I had decided on consistent as
apposed too opening the picture in each page individually then re-sizing.
Another tool I used a lot is the ‘Rectangle tool’. I used this to create a border
effect of each picture the empahise the layout of the calendar which I think made it
look more professional.
A tool I used on every page is the ’text tool’this was too add
The main heading (months e.g January)
Gold
I used gold because it is associated with wealth
and I wanted my calendar to attract more
upmarket retailers.
As gold is rare material it is normally
used in luxury and high quality
products such as jewellery
Black
Is a very bold colour that stands out
it also go with everything, meaning
in a house hold it would look good
on any colour wall

3. Annotation to the calendar days to add events (e.g new year)
Strengths and weaknesses
I added finishing touches to my bag and I think this is a strength, for example on
Valentine’s Day i added little hearts in the writing space because men are
stereotyped to forget these occasions so this it is there as a reminder, also I think it
adds a lot of colour to a plain white background so is eye catchy, I have also done this
for globally known celebrations such as Christmas, bonfire night etc.
A weakness of my calendar is that it doesn’t look as professional as I would of liked it
too what I mean by this is that on my front page I would of like a sort of textured 3D
looking effect to make it look shiny and have a stronger and higher quality feel than
paper but unfortunately I didn’t know how to achieve this, especially in school so I
wish that I had researched and gone somewhere professional to do it.
I think another strength of my project is that I got the top of my calendar fixed
together by a spiral bound, I think this make it look very professional and makes it
easily recognisable as a calendar.
How I would improve it if I were to do it again?
Well I think at the start of this project I took too long to decide what I wanted to do,
and then when I had decided on an idea I changed it so I think next time I would be
more time efficient and would get all my pictures in school straight away so I could
start in the first lesson rather than wasting too much time on planning, this would
make me more organised so I would be able to reach the deadline, and have time to
go back and correct anything to a higher level.
Am I pleased with how my project went?
Independent work

4. This project was an independent topic meaning I didn’t have team mates to turn too
if I had any problems or if I was lacking creative ideas, this was difficult to adapt too
because usually in media we are working in groups meaning the work load is spread
out which definitely makes it easier to meet deadlines. However this project allowed
me to show off independent ideas that I would get all the credit for, whereas in
group work one person in the group always gets a harder job than others and will
end up getting less credit and marks for more work. I am pleased how I worked
independently because I think I stayed on task and if I had a problem I would learn a
way to resolve it rather than asking someone in a group to do it for you because
otherwise you may face that problem again and still not know how to resolve it, the
way I did it meant I was still learning editing tips, but still did my ideas for the overall
outcome.
The calendar
Personally I feel that my calendar has turned out well for two main reasons
Time – we were given a lot time to complete this project meaning I didn’t
have to rush any step and managed to get it just how I imagined it.
(Size) having the size A3 makes the calendar looks more professional and like a
prototype.
(Layout)I took inspiration from other calendars to influence my layout and took
features I liked from different ones and incorporated some ideas into mine, I also
think the spiral bound makes it look very calendar like and also makes it hangable.
Design