Calendar Design Do's & Don'ts
- For the most professional-looking calendar, use black ink on white, off-white, or cream colored paper. (Color can be added with graphics.)
- Put a border around the outside of the calendar. The outside border should be heavier than the lines within the calendar.
- Don't forget to put the name of your community and the address some place on your calendar.
- Put the month and year in large, bold print on the calendar.
- If your community has more than one area, be sure to indicate the setting—such as "Assisted Living Activities" or "Healthcare Activities."
- It is traditional to start the weeks with Sunday, not Monday.
- Put the dates in the upper right-hand corner of each cell. This makes it possible to line up your list of activities on the left within the cells.
- Use consistent font style and size for routine activities. Do not change the font style or size from activity to activity within a cell. Use as large a font size as possible.
- Do not routinely use ALL CAPITALS for regularly scheduled events. It takes up more space, and research has shown that it makes things more difficult to read.
- Emphasize special activities with bold print or all capitals.
- Make use of any blank cells. All months (except February) have four full weeks and one partial week. Use those "blank" cells for things like graphics, pictures, or a location key.
- List activities in chronological order. State the beginning time in numerical terms (such as 2:00 Bingo, 4:00 Happy Hour, etc.). It is not necessary to include "AM" or "PM." Align your list of activities on the left of each cell.
- Use sophisticated graphics and clipart. Keep these to a minimum and don't "clutter."