What to remember when laying out my Table of Contents!

Once again, it's important that the layout of the Table of Contents is arranged in a way that flows and is easy for the reader to understand. 

I got inspiration from magazines I looked through online and at home. Two that helped me a lot in making my checklist I inserted below. For example, the first one uses three columns which is why I made number 4 and the second one uses top-view photography which is why I made number 6.

Here's the checklist I made to help me keep details in mind when I make my Table of Contents:
1. Use a gradient and a grid. This will keep the page neat and organized so the reader can use this to navigate throughout the entire magazine. 
2. Feature photography. Sorry that this is very cliquish, but a picture can really say a thousand words.
3. Separate the different parts of the magazine. For example, the what's always included part should not be combined with what always in every issue. 
4. Use columns so that it is not difficult to use. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to dig up information from a cluttered page.
5. Include descriptions. This will give the reader a glimpse of what they can read about if they flip to the page with the main article.  
6. Top view photography. It has been very popular this year and it is a great way to take pictures of food.
7. Put the page numbers into design elements. This is out of the norm but will catch the readers eye very fast. 
8. Make sure it's easy to navigate through. The use of an organized layout combined with page numbers that stick out from the rest of the text will give the audience an easy page to use as a map for the rest of the magazine. 
9. Highlight important content. This will get the reader to focus on one article that the designer wants them to. 
10. Use color wisely. Be certain on the meaning of color when it is used. For example, don't use dark colors if you want the meaning to be about happiness which is normally portrayed in brighter colors.

Resources:

“Designing the Perfect Table of Contents: 50 Examples to Show You How – Learn.” About Canva, Canva, 28 Oct. 2018, www.canva.com/learn/table-of-contents-design/.

“10 Reasons to Use Color.” Understanding Graphics 10 Reasons to Use Color Comments, understandinggraphics.com/design/10-reasons-to-use-color/.