In this Product Spotlight, our Assistant Manager for Product Planning, Sarah, shares about preparing for a planner launch and the decision to bring our customer-favorite hardcover Daily Planner back to our academic planner lineup. Take it away, Sarah!
Product Launch Planning
Every year when our team sits down to map out product releases and plan for the year ahead, we know without a doubt that two objectives will anchor our efforts— academic and calendar year planner launches. We revisit our planner formats each spring and fall to evaluate which will make up each collection. Planners are one of the pillars of our product line. We're proud to offer a range of some of the tried and true products you know (along with new and refined tools), and we're always considering how best to equip you and ourselves with exceptional paper goods for everyday planning.
History of the The Daily Planner
We first introduced the hardcover Daily Planner in 2020 in response to people looking for a day-by-day layout with plenty of room for notes. It was also the very first casebound planner in our collection. In finalizing its design, we decided a layflat Smyth sewn binding, ribbon page marker, and hardcover construction for extra durability were key. This product quickly became a hallmark of our releases and gathered a loyal group of fans who enjoyed the ability to plan their days with precision.
Last year, along with many in our industry, we faced unprecedented supply chain issues and production barriers across the board, specifically in manufacturing our hardcover Daily Planner. These challenges prevented us from producing what had become a mainstay of our planner family. Instead, we experimented with how to translate this format to our signature wire-o binding. While the Wire Daily Planner was a good exercise in product testing and has inspired some ideas for future undated planners (I’m looking at you, early 2024!), we ultimately felt that the best version of this planner was the hardcover form that we knew and loved.
“We ultimately felt that the best version of this planner was the hardcover form that we knew and loved.”
High-quality construction meets signature, minimal Appointed elegance.
The Hardbound Daily Planner is Back & Improved
We are thrilled to announce that the hardcover Daily Planner is back for the 23-24 collection! It’s the comeback that we know many of you have been eagerly anticipating, and we look forward to seeing this planner back in your capable hands.
Fans of the Daily Planner will recognize our signature cotton-blend bookcloth as part of the hardcover construction, along with the same layflat binding and an updated, color-coordinated ribbon page marker. We also took a second look at the interior and made some tweaks to optimize the day-by-day planning experience. To accommodate the later schedules of students and those with non-traditional work hours, we expanded the hour breakdown to 10pm. At the top of every daily spread there is now a priorities list, allowing users to set their intentions for the day and keep their primary goals top of mind as they decide how to make the most of each hour.
We hope this elegant hardcover 23-24 planner will continue to delight those who love and rely on detailed planning—the time blockers, the triple majors, or anyone who simply enjoys looking back on a record of how they spent their time. If that’s not you, check out our planner quiz or explore the rest of our 23-24 Planner Collection to find your perfect match. Whatever your plans for the coming months, we look forward to seeing glimpses of the beautiful work that inspires your every day. Happy Planning!
Sarah May, Assistant Manager, Product Planning
I am loving this planner! Honestly, I would purchase it every year if you made it available. It’s a great purse size, elegant (I’m happy to have it with me at meetings), and the pages are perfect!
I discovered Appointed last year, and spent a year with the larger of your two task planners. I loved it, but am not a fan of the casual look of a spiral bound planner. I like this one much more.
If I could, I would like to share a recommendation. I would suggest starting the planner on January 1st, or December 1st of the previous year so that it really only is a one year planner, and then I would add full pages for Saturday and Sunday, rather than the abbreviated page.
It’s a relief to go back to paper after years in Google and Apple calendars. Thank you for making something so beautiful.
I am loving this planner! Honestly, I would purchase it every year if you made it available. It’s a great purse size, elegant (I’m happy to have it with me at meetings), and the pages are perfect!
I discovered Appointed last year, and spent a year with the larger of your two task planners. I loved it, but am not a fan of the casual look of a spiral bound planner. I like this one much more.
If I could, I would like to share a recommendation. I would suggest starting the planner on January 1st, or December 1st of the previous year so that it really only is a one year planner, and then I would add full pages for Saturday and Sunday, rather than the abbreviated page.
It’s a relief to go back to paper after years in Google and Apple calendars. Thank you for making something so beautiful.
Hi! Just want to say I love the 23-24 daily planner! I hope you do again for 24-25!
Elise
Hi! Just want to say I love the 23-24 daily planner! I hope you do again for 24-25!
Elise