TOC Genre Analysis and Plans

    This article will be about the table of contents (TOC) that I will be creating for my magazine. Included in this blog will be the codes/conventions of food magazine TOCs, along with examples. I will also include a few drafts of the TOCs that I plan to use, and analyzation of how they are good or bad.

Codes/Conventions of Magazine Table of Contents

    Here are the codes/conventions of magazine TOCs!

    Title and main image: The main "Contents" title is going to be the biggest text on the contents page of a magazine. Content pages will always have some sort of main image on the page, and sometimes even a smaller one as well.

    Sub-headings: Magazine content pages are typically separated into set categories dependent on the type of articles contained in the magazine. Some commonly used sub-headings are "On the Cover", "In Every Issue", and "Features". While these are commonly used, other sub-headings are more specific to the magazine. For example, food magazines may contain headings about their food articles. The biggest a font should be while being used in a content page is about 14pt.

    Ordering and Structure: The articles are placed in chronological order so it is easier for the reader to find what they want to read. There is also usually a sentence or few words for each article so that the reader can get an insight as to what the article will talk about/feature, allowing the reader to decide on whether or not they want to read the magazine.

    Color Scheme: The background of a magazine cover typically should be white, so that the text is clear and easy to read. The color schemes tend to be simple and not contain many colors, so that the page is not distracting the reader from the text, along with being easy on the eye.

    Layout/Miscellaneous: Contents are usually set into either a column or a dog leg layout (such as the image shown). Other things that could be included in the contents page are: title of the magazine, publication/issue date, a picture of the front cover, website address, contact details, and credits for the cover photo/photos in the articles.

Food Magazines

    The brands of food magazines that will be analyzed in this section of the blog are: Living Magazine and Aloha. I will be using these magazine brands to analyze and dissect in order to show the difference between food magazine table of content pages and others.

Living Magazine

    Living Magazine is a magazine made by Martha Stewart. This magazine is most known for its' connection to Martha Stewart, who is famous, however it is also known for its' easy and quick recipes!

    Living Magazine talks mostly about quick and easy-to-make recipes along with DIY cooking tips. Because of this, their main audience are typically adults and teens who enjoy cooking. For example, the target audience of this magazine could be women from the ages of 18-62, because they are the people who cook/host parties the most often compared to other groups of people, as well as most likely the people who watch Martha Stewart's broadcasted show. 

    Living Magazine tends to use very simple and professional TOC layouts. The masthead is usually very small in the top right corner, always in complete uppercase lettering; the masthead, when in the TOC, also tends to use the same three black fonts in every issue. White, or lighter color schemes, are typically used in the background of the TOC to draw attention to the main dish; this main dish also matches in color with the background (explained in my Color Theory blog). For example, the main image shown on the page is light green and yellow, which compliments the white background. The dishes used in the TOC photo tend to be very minimalistic, which adds to the simple and professional layout of this magazine. The TOC articles, page numbers, and small descriptions of each article tend to be lined on both sides of the page, in what is called a "dog leg layout"; this is when the TOC topics are spread around the page (in an organized manner) with the page numbers in bold above, or below, them. The publication date of this magazine typically tends to be in the upper right corner, just above the masthead.The "Contents" label is also above the masthead/publication date, in the largest font on the page. This magazine contains small sub-headings as well, placed in chronological order. Overall, this magazine uses about 3-4 main colors each content page, matching the background and font color to the color of the main dish.

Aloha

    Aloha is a magazine made by Aloha Airlines. This magazine is most known for its' intriguing stories of food in other cultures, along with how food has been used by many people. This magazine shows unordinary mixes of foods, along with recipes on how to make average food better.

    Aloha talks mostly about out-of-the-ordinary recipes and experimental ideas for foods. Because of this, their main audience are typically adults and teens who enjoy experimenting with cooking. For example, the target audience of this magazine could be men from the ages of 18-41, because they are the people who experiment with foods and travel places the most often compared to other groups of people.

    Aloha tends to use very simple and artistic TOC layouts. The masthead is usually very small in the top right corner, always in the form of the Aloha Airline logo, using the same colors every issue; the printed name is usually the same black font every issue. Bright and artistic color schemes are typically used in the background of the TOC to draw attention to the main dish; this main dish also matches in color with the background (explained in my Color Theory blog). For example, the main image shown on the page is mostly yellow with some green, which blends positively with the yellow background. The dishes used in the TOC photo tend to be very minimalistic yet colorful, which adds to the simple and artistic layout of this magazine. The TOC articles, page numbers, and small descriptions of each article tend to be lined on one side of the page, in a column. The publication date of this magazine typically tends to be in the upper left corner, with the "Contents" label just above it in the largest font on the page. This magazine contains small sub-headings as well, placed in chronological order with the page numbers next to them. Overall, this magazine uses about 3-4 main colors each content page, matching the background and font color to the color of the main dish.

Table of Contents Sketches

    This TOC was the first draft I made. This draft includes a "Contents" title, masthead, four subheading articles/detail with page numbers, and a main image. As can be seen, the main image is very large, taking up most of the contents page; it is also more towards the right-hand, bottom corner of the page. The large main image draws the reader's attention towards the content page's text (content), while being on the right so there is still room to place subheadings, page numbers, and details without them completely overlapping. The masthead is at the upper left-hand side of the page, with the "Contents" line above it. Next, we have the subheadings, with articles and details. All four of the subheadings, including page numbers and article details, are close together in a "dog leg layout". The negative of this is that the large main image with little content doesn't make for much of a contents page, especially with the closeness of the content within it. The only colors that may be used will be in the main image and possibly on the subtitles or "Contents" line, because TOCs are made to tell information about the content within the magazines, not to draw attention towards the color or main image. Font will most likely be plain other than the sizing and possibly subtitles in bold, due to the same reason as the color scheme.

     This TOC was the second draft I made. This draft includes a "Table of Contents" title, six subheading articles/detail with page numbers, and four sectioned main images. As can be seen, the main images are each sectioned evenly, taking up about 1/3 of the content page; it is also on the left-hand side of the page. The differentiation between the main images draws the reader's attention towards the content page's text (content), while being on the left so there is still room to place subheadings, page numbers, and details without them completely overlapping. The positive of these images is also that due to multiple images instead of one, readers can have a better idea of what the magazine will contain food-wise. The "Table of Contents" line is is at the top center. Next, we have the subheadings, with articles and details. All four of the subheadings, including page numbers and article details, are spaced apart in a column running along the middle/right of the page. The negative of this is that the placement kind of makes the TOC page look like a restaurant menu. The only colors that may be used will be in the main images and possibly on the subheadings or "Table of Contents" line, because TOCs are made to tell information about the content within the magazines, not to draw attention towards the color or main image. Font will most likely be plain other than the sizing and possibly subtitles in bold, due to the same reason as the color scheme.

     This TOC was the third, and final, draft I made. This draft includes a "Contents" title, publication date, fourteen subheading articles/detail with page numbers, and a main image. As can be seen, the main image is smaller, taking up only the center of the contents page. The small, centered main image draws the reader's attention towards the content page's text (content), while being in the center so there is still room to place subheadings, page numbers, and details around it without them completely overlapping. A positive of this is that the effect of surrounding the main image with subheading articles/detail and page numbers provides a cool look and inclusive feel for the image. The "Contents" line is in the top left of the page, with the publication date below it. Next, we have the subheadings, with articles and details. All fourteen of the subheadings, including page numbers and article details, are close together in a "dog leg layout". This spirals around the photo creating a cool effect on the main image and more inclusive for the reader, making not only the main image, but the text, pop as well. The negative of this is that the amount of content on this page may become distracting to readers or harder to find what they are looking for. The only colors that may be used will be in the main image and possibly on the subtitles or "Contents" line, because TOCs are made to tell information about the content within the magazines, not to draw attention towards the color or main image. Font will most likely be plain other than the sizing and possibly subtitles in bold, due to the same reason as the color scheme.

Conclusion

    In conclusion, based off of the three drafts that I have currently created, I will most likely use either the second or third draft. This is because the second draft, while it looks a little like a restaurant menu, is easier to read through/navigate than the third draft is. However, the third draft has a more organized layout and looks more professional compared to the second draft, though it is harder to navigate when searching for a specific topic. Referring to the conventions mentioned earlier, it can be seen that all three of these drafts I created follow the conventions instead of challenge them; I know this because they align with all of the conventions already stated.

Work Cited:

• ("Codes and Conventions of a Magazine Contents Page,"RachLou96) https://www.slideshare.net/RachLou96/codes-and-conventions-of-a-magazine-contents-page-14500547