The table of contents acts as the structure of the magazine by highlighting the key information that is contained in the text. By doing so, it behaves as the foundation and guide for the reader to show what is being displayed toward them in a direct manner.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Title that includes the name contents, the masthead, and the month of publishing.
What is found in the contents would be direct and integral information that show the sections and headlines found in the article and what page number it is located in.
It also shows credits to those involved in the process of making the magazine.
Section vs. Headline
-A section in a magazine acts as the chapters of the magazine
-While a headline is the name of the specific articles found in that issue. To not confuse the reader make sure the sections and headlines are identical in the table of contents as they are presented in the magazine.
LAYOUT
I believe the Layout is integral to the table of contents because of how important it's purpose is. The goal is to guide the reader so it is crucial that during my research and designing process I need to make sure my TOC is direct and engaging.
Although there are various types of layout for tables of contents, I will say after researching multiple I believe the differences do not fall into the broad genres; it is more specific to the magazine company.
For example, not all fashion magazines will share the same exact table of contents, look at Vogue's Table of contents.
-the masthead is shown boldly at the top of the image, with the month of the issue in a different colored text and font to add contrast to the heading.
- It has one major image to the side with a coverline that relates to the information within the issue.
- All the information of the magazine is located at the bottom of the image and to the side as well as what page they are location on.
While another fashion magazine, Cosmopolitan, has a different style of table of contents
-The month of the issue is place in a tiny different font above the title
-A very direct approach, a huge title that state "Contents" above in the middle
-The sections are listed, and shown in a different font from the month of the issue or in the title, in the middle of page below the title, everything is written in lowercase to exude laidback and almost "cool" tone
-Each section are followed on the page number where they are located, the number is colored in lime green color
-The purpose of the coloring of the numbers is to show a cohesive layout by having green being a central color in the separate images shown around the sides of the page
-The images are cohesive to the articles feature later in the magazine, with small captions( to not take away attention from the image) to show where they are located.
-At the very end of the sections, in a small there are credits to authors and photographers
There is the Vogue example, that has a mass amount of information with one major image that relate the article, while Cosmopolitan has a much more direct approach with a much more artistic and chic layout.
Different genres can also have similar table of contents
Throughout the fashion, entertainment, and food genres there are basic similar layouts.
-In each there is one major image, almost working similarly to the cover image with a caption that relates to it with a plethora information regarding the sections
Also across multiple genres, the continuity of more images shown on the table of contents show a heavier focus on the cohesive design of the page layout with basic descriptions of sections and headlines.
This delivers a direct and simple guide in a aesthetic fashion for the magazine.
Overall, I found the table of contents that have one focal image, does that in order to fit in the immersive information they have on the articles or they make the use of multiple images to have a chicer presence.
FOOD MAGAZINE TOC
The continuities within food magazine table of contents would be majority focus more on showcasing what the issue has to offer based on images and creative layout. This could be due to the versatility of information that is offered.
I also found that some table of contents have a similar layout, and read as restaurant menu.
I looked up restaurant menus and compared them to food magazine table of contents.
-I found a table of contents page of a food magazine, that had the title contents in a bold font that is on the side to bring attention to reader what this page is.
- Since the example of the menu is just a template, the information is scare compared to real menus but the way it is formatted and sized, have similar patterns to that of the Table of contents.
-I researched a food menu template where the title of the menu is bold above the page to fulfill the same purpose as the header of the TOC page.
-The sections are both in a bigger bolder font to break up the information included and to help guide the reader and better organize the page
- The details are placed below the section and in a un-bolded smaller font and the prices on the menu are similar to the page locations to that of the Table of Contents
-The images are either place to the side or around the page in a effective manner to show the reader what these words of the page are actually offering
HOW DO I WANT TO INCORPORATE?
With this conclusion, I want to take information from menus and how they are designed and place those elements in my table of contents.
I feel like that is a great to showcase the information that my magazine is offering because it is making a parody of the restaurant industry that is frequently commentated within food magazines.
Links: https://flip180media.com/tips-for-periodical-publishers/magazine-content-structure-guide/
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