A parcel from The Camford International School did not suggest that there would be something interesting in it. Arriving as it did a few days after the New Year, it was clear that the school had sent in a calendar.
A look at the parcel suggested that it could be a table-top calendar. Indeed, it was one. But then what caught the attention was a strap-line beneath the picture, which said that the sheet for January 2011 was designed by Std. VIII students.
Perfect 12
Curiosity led to flipping sheets to February, March, April... And it was not disappointing. All the 12 sheets were designed by the students. The theme was Indian Independence and had pictorial representations of the important events that took place in the respective months.
School authorities said the students had used the calendar to display their creative genius and also exhibit whatever they had learnt in PhotoShop and other software.
January 2011 was titled “A tribute to Gandhiji” — January 30 being Martyrs’ Day. Student Akash Nambiar worked on the sheet, using “blending technique”. February was Sherlie's, who using “gradient mapping” worked on the Chauri Chaura and Simon Commission.
Nitin took over March to portray Gandhiji taking out the Dandi March. April and May saw Pranav and Arjun partner to use mask, layer, brush, etc. in the software to come up with Jalianwala Bagh Massacre and the First War of Indian Independence.
Rani Laxmi Bai was on the June sheet, as portrayed by Mukul, who used the gradient technique taught to him. It was Dinesh's turn for July, wherein he used the cloud and shadow effects to remind people of the “Formation of the Indian National Army”.
Many techniques
He once again got an opportunity to leave his imprint on the September sheet to depict The Indian Freedom Fighter — Bhagat Singh using blur, dodge and clone.
The August sheet had Quit India Movement as theme, as developed by Nitin. Pranav and Monnes Babu used crop tool and layer mode for October and December to depict the Partition of Bengal and Formation of the Indian National Congress. Mukul left his imprint on November by portraying the Gandhi-Irwin Meeting.
The school authorities said it was a learning experience for the students in both computer science and history.
The students had used the calendar to display their creative genius and also exhibit whatever they had learnt in PhotoShop and other software.
