HO Modern Times 2 New Design
Finishing up History Odyssey MT2 guide. The course is written, maps are done, and worksheets finished. Feedback is steadily coming in from reviewing families. What is taking me so long is a huge learning curve with “style sheets” in Adobe InDesign. In a moment of insanity, I decided it would be a great idea to “pretty-up” HO. Make it not look like “something created by an amateur designer on a home computer.” (Even though it is.) What I failed to consider is the fact that I will now have to go back and change all the existing HO courses to now match this new design. (I have a bad habit of making more work for myself. Apparently, I don’t think I have enough to do.)
So I had Michelle from Michelle M White Designs create me a new layout using InDesign style sheets. She created what I think is a lovely and not too school-like design (see below). All I have to do is simply place the text into the design. Yeah right! Simple for someone who knows what they are doing, maybe. After three weeks I am only on lesson 32 of 99 and still have all the maps and worksheets to do. Michelle graciously offered to do this for me, reminding me that she could have it done in just a couple of days (rub it in, Michelle). But I need to LEARN this stuff. With every new project, I try to learn at least one new skill. This is how homeschool publishers stay in business: Doing as much as they can themselves. So as I struggle through this update, I am learning new skills that will save Pandia Press (and ultimately you, the customer) lots of money now and in the future. I hope you like the new design.
on April 15th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Hey, that looks great! I really like the new design! It does make it look much more professional. Keep up the good work. Taking a little longer to release it is worth it to create such a professional looking product – and to add to your skill set! Keep it up!
on April 20th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Wow, this looks really nice! I understand the concept of “making more work” for yourself, but generally those projects yield good results – as this demonstrates.
No pressure or anything, but we need this for fall!!!!
Looking forward to seeing the final product.
on May 25th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Looks Amazing. I can’t wait to be in a level with the new design. Although we’re only in Early Modern Level 1 so you have plenty of time to “update” the others for us
Keep up the great work, we all love your products.
on May 28th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Hi, I love your curriculum. I was wondering if there is a timeline for how to make this curriculum last from grade 5 (this is where my daughter would be in the fall) through grade 12. I’m a little confused. She will be level two, I know, but that’s as far as I can get:-). I am new to homeschool and would really appreciate your help!! LOVE the curriculum and look forward to using it as soon as I figure this part out. Thank you!!
on May 29th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Wow, it is looking great! We will be starting Middle Ages Level 2 this fall, so I am looking forward to using this new design in a couple of years.
Keep up the good work!