TOC Images and Original Content

    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 images that originally had the purpose of being for my TOC page, along with an explanation of why or why not they are going to be taken into consideration for being used. I will also include a few drafts of the TOCs that I plan to use, and analyzation of how they are good or bad.

Review of Table of Contents Drafts

    Before we begin talking about/analyzing the TOC original images, let's review the drafts that I came up; this will help you as the reader to better visualize the layout of these original images within the TOC.

    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 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.

Table of Contents Original Images

    This original image is the first I considered adding to the TOC cover. This is an image of chicken quesadillas with two side cups: one containing sour cream, the other salsa. This is served on a white plate with a light brown table as the background. The color of this image is bland, making a good fit for a TOC page due to having little color within it. However, the colors in this photo don't complement each other as well as they should in order to look good inside of a magazine. The coloring of this image could also be hard to look at for readers due to the white-against-white coloring. Another negative of this image is the glass of water in the background. This glass creates a weird effect on the background, causing a distorted reflection in the glass. This cutoff reflection is displeasing, and this image overall is not very appealing. It does, however, have a food on it which fits with my cover idea of "savory". This photo would most likely be placed in the layout of my third draft due to its shape and composition.

    This original image is the second I considered adding to the TOC cover. This is an image of an ice cream cookie cake with chocolate syrup drizzled over it. This is served in a mini skillet with a light brown table as the background and two spoons stuck in the cookie. The color of this image is dark, making a good fit for a TOC page due to having little color within it. The colors in this image complement each other well, ranging from light brown, to dark brown, to white. This coloring is also appealing to look at because of this darkness with a little light pop to it. The lighting of the image also makes it very appealing due to the shine of the chocolate syrup drizzle. A negative of this image is the silverware and other plates in the background. This causes a little of an unprofessional look and could cause the reader to lose focus on the main image. It also doesn't really fit the theme of "savory"; however, this problem could be fixed by adding a dessert section to the TOC. This photo would most likely be placed in the layout of my third draft due to its shape and composition.

     This original image is the third I considered adding to the TOC cover. This is an image of a vanilla cake with strawberry icing. This is served on a foil tray that is positioned on top of a blue plate. This cake has white and green frosting designs with light pink lit candles. The lighting of this image is dark, making a good image with shining candles due to them being the only light source. The colors in this image complement each other well, ranging from light pink, to green, to white. This coloring is also appealing to look at because of this darkness with a little light pop to it. The shine of the frosting due to the minor lighting is also very appealing. The background of this image is blurred, with a focus pull on the cake, making a very realistic yet still professional image. The negative of this image are the three holes in the center of the cake which were originally part of the design, however, look a little unprofessional. It also doesn't really fit the theme of "savory"; however, this problem could be fixed by adding a dessert section to the TOC. This photo would most likely be placed in the layout of my third draft due to its shape and composition.

    This original image is the fourth I considered adding to the TOC cover. This is an image of a vanilla ice cream milkshake with strawberry chunks in the bottom. This is served on a white plate placed on a dark brown table with a light green spoon on the plate. This milkshake has gummy bears on top with two cinnamon straws stuck into the ice cream. The lighting of this image is light, making a good image with sparkling ice cream. The colors in this image complement each other well, ranging through many colors in the rainbow. This coloring is not very appealing with the lighting though, due to it being the same lighting as the rest of this image. The shine of the ice cream due to the minor lighting is appealing though. The background of this image is very clear with disheveled utensils and empty glasses, which has a negative effect on the photo. This negative effect is the look of messiness which is also looked at as unprofessional. It also doesn't really fit the theme of "savory"; however, this problem could be fixed by adding a dessert section to the TOC. This photo would most likely be placed in the layout of my second draft due to its shape and composition.

    This original image is the fifth I considered adding to the TOC cover. This is an image of a 3-layer mousse containing chocolate fudge, chocolate, and vanilla. This is served on a plain white background. This mousse is drenched in chocolate fudge with a juicy strawberry and whipped cream on top. The lighting of this image is light, making a good image due to the contrast of the dark colored syrup. The colors in this image complement each other well, ranging from dark brown, to red, to white. This coloring is also appealing to look at because of this darkness with a little light pop to it. The red coloring also makes a very nice pop of color in this image. The plain white background of this image looks very professional, as well as brings attention to the image without completely stealing it from the TOC itself. It also doesn't really fit the theme of "savory"; however, this problem could be fixed by adding a dessert section to the TOC. This photo would most likely be placed in the layout of my third draft due to its shape and composition.

    This original image is the sixth I considered adding to the TOC cover. This is an image of 16 different assorted donuts. This is served on a plain white background. These donuts contain many different types such as cookies & cream, cinnamon crunch, chocolate pecan, and coffee flavor. The lighting of this image is light, making a good image due to the contrast of the dark colored donuts. The colors in this image complement each other well, ranging from dark brown/black, to light brown, to white. This coloring is also appealing to look at because of this darkness with a little light pop to it. The plain white background of this image looks very professional, as well as brings attention to the image without completely stealing it from the TOC itself. It also doesn't really fit the theme of "savory"; however, this problem could be fixed by adding a dessert section to the TOC. This photo would most likely be placed in the layout of my third draft due to its shape and composition.

     This original image is the seventh and final image that I considered adding to the TOC cover. This is an image of a vanilla cheesecake with strawberry icing. This is served on a white plate placed on a light brown table. This cake has white frosting plumes decorated onto the plate as well as the cake itself. The lighting of this image is dark, making a good image with sparkling cake. The colors in this image complement each other well, ranging from light orange/yellow, to light brown, to white. This coloring is also appealing to look at because of this darkness with a little light pop to it. The shine of the frosting due to the minor lighting is also very appealing. The background of this image is very clear with disheveled utensils and napkins, which has a negative effect on the photo. This negative effect is the look of messiness which is also looked at as unprofessional. It also doesn't really fit the theme of "savory"; however, this problem could be fixed by adding a dessert section to the TOC. This photo would most likely be placed in the layout of my second draft due to its shape and composition.

Article Original Content

     This section of the blog will serve as planning for the original content that will be contained inside of the articles/TOC including article names and page numbers. Layout, however, will be discussed in the next blog. Currently, I will not be including descriptors, however that may change by the time I make my final TOC.

Article Titles and Page Numbers:

• Intro to Cooking.......pg.1
• Best Cooking Utensils .......pg.3
• Chicken Quesadillas.... pg.6
• Beef Recipes......pg.8
• Dessert Recipes!.......pg.10
• About: Chef Gusta.... pg.13
• Chef Gusta's Pasta Dish!......pg.14
• Fettucine Alfredo.... pg.16
• Vietnamese Pho.... pg.17
• Bonus Interview: Rachel Ley.......pg.18
• Bonus Interview: Gordon Pamsey........pg.19
• Party Tips!.......pg.21
• Dinner Party Recipes!.......pg.24
• Exclusive Content.......pg.28

 Conclusion

    The language/voice used in this magazine will be friendly, casual talk. It will also be very focused on culinary terms but with definitions to harder terms for those who do not often cook or are not accustomed to food magazines. This will help to create a magazine that is available for a large range of audience as well as beginning cooks. 

    The article I will most likely use for my two-page spread will be either the "Vietnamese Pho" or "Chef Gusta's Pasta Dish". While Chef Gusta's pasta dish is most relevant to the cover, the pasta's picture was used as the main image. It would not be very interesting to reuse the same picture, so therefore I will most likely use the Vietnamese pho because it has different photos and a very good recipe!