A design formula is a set of elements and layouts that are used throughout a campaign or system of materials or projects.
This project is a weekly event calendar for a real estate brokerage. There is a certain hierarchy of information that is followed with a set of familiar elements. This creates a visual language and layout that is easy to understand through repetition. Viewers know where to look for information from past issues. Magazines and website do this to instill a framework that is easy to understand that their audience will adopt.
The key is to have fun with the background and play with the application of elements.