Editing the Table of Contents

Magazine Contents Page Process

Introduction

Working on the table of contents of my magazine will probably not be the easiest. I'm expecting a lot of work to be done.

I am confident the process will come to a good result, as I am basing off my table of contents page to the reference I had created in my 'Layout Design for Magazine' blog:

To assist me with the creation of the table of contents, I will also be utilizing my other blog, 'Magazine Table of Contents Conventions.'

Hopefully, I can incorporate the new things I've learned to do on InDesign to have a similar look on my final product of the contents page.

Process

This is the starting base of the second page, not edited yet. 

I began by adding the dark blue background to the contents page as on the reference layout design. It is not the exact same color, but it is quite close and it very well for how the magazine is fitting.

I added the issue number on the top left corner, as the reference image has it. I will fix the quality/appearance of the graphic later after I am done setting up.

The font used is Athelas, which is going to begin being the main reoccurring font.

I placed the issue's date ('March 2026') below the issue number, as I felt the place was most fitting. Numbers go with numbers,  text goes with text.

The font used is PCMyungjo, which is going to begin being the second reoccurring font.

Using the PCMyungjo font again for the content's page title ('Contents') as shown in the reference, it is bold and striking. It grabs the attention of the readers and makes them know easier what the page is about.

After ~5-10 minutes of trying to fit in the main image onto the page. I discovered the easier way of doing so. I clicked on InDesign's 'Rectangle Frame Tool,' and then I 'placed' the image I wanted onto the 'Rectangle Frame.' 

As shown in the screenshot above, that is how the set up of the photo is looking like for now. I will absolutely change it to look better after putting and arranging around all the text onto the page.

I rearranged the issue number and the issue date, as well as I had to fix the placement of the 'Contents' page title so it would all fit evenly at the top. 

Using the settings as shown in the screenshot on the right, I created a background puff for the page numbers.

I copied and pasted the masthead from the front cover and adjusted it better so it would fit above the 'Contents' title on the table of contents page.

It now looks neat and compatible with the text below it.

On the background puff for the page numbers, I added a heading reading: 'On the Cover' with all capital letters. 

This is to show the page numbers of what was being discussed on the front cover.

In order to access the file of my portfolio on the school computer, I had to convert the latest version of InDesign my file was worked on with my MacBook to the version that will fit the school computer.

Hopefully it doesn't change my work too much.

Unfortunately, due to the amount of errors occurring on the file due to it had been worked on the latest version of InDesign, I won't be able to work on the portfolio at school as how I wanted to.

When exiting out of the file, I clicked 'Do Not Save' for the changes as I was afraid of it spreading the issues onto the actual file on my MacBook.

I added the page numbers below the 'On the Cover' puff. However, I asked my teacher Ms. Acosta on how many pages the magazine brief was supposed to be, and she had said 5 in total. The table of contents is a 2-page spread as well, similar to the feature article.

As of a result, I duplicated the first table of contents page and removed the 'Contents' title as well as the issue number. I will be renovating most of the contents page.

I adjusted for the main image, 'Contents' title, magazine name to all fit on the top right of the second page of the table of contents 2-page spread.

The issue number, issue date, and the 'On the Cover' stay where they were on the first page of the table of contents 2-page spread.

I placed the main image on the middle of the second page, however I am not so sure of how I like the positioning yet. I will experiment with more after I'm done working on the first page.

I added a black line at the top of both pages to create a 'border' kind of effect, as a way to show continuation of the pages.

I added the two images I had taken of the gothic props/accessories onto the first page of the table of contents. However, I am planning on making them smaller at the bottom. 

I have shortened the puff containing the pages, however I am not sure if that is exactly what I have to do for the magazine brief.

As I stated earlier, I made the two accessory images be at the bottom of the page. I also added a caption located in between of the two images explaining what they are.

I discovered these 2 fx (effects) to create the blended in image in the background: 'Transparency,' and 'Basic Feather.'

As shown in the last two screenshots above, I had toyed around with the settings until I finally achieved the mysterious gothic look I was looking for. 

Going onto the second page, I moved the main image to the right a little more.

I created the headline discussing the introduction of the feature article below the main image on the second page.

I wrote so it could captivate the audience's attention, using popular references of movies and shows (including one character) that will surely attract younger millennials, Gen Z, and regular people uninformed of goth culture.

I fixed the format of the middle sentence containing the rhetorical question to fit nicely onto the page.

Returning back to the first page of the table of contents, I fixed the '3,4' page numbers listed to '3-4'.

Fixed the cropping of the main image of the second page of the table of contents.

I grabbed an image from Pinterest and placed it onto the page. I then edited it with the fx (effects) settings as shown in the last three screenshots above. 

The end result of this process is shown on the first screenshot provided above.

As of now, I have concluded with the table of contents 2-page spread. It appears as shown on above in the two screenshots of both pages.

I'm now going to focus on adding more pages onto the page puff. I had not realized we were supposed to have it filled out as if it were a real magazine.

I had to ask Ms. Acosta, and in the end I got my answer.

I added the following pages: 'pg. 5-6' with 'The History of Goths' underneath, and 'pg. 6-7' with 'Different Types of Goths' underneath.

Finally, I finished working on the table of contents by fixing the title of the pages buff from 'On the Cover' to 'As On the Cover.' 

Reflection

This journey of doing the 2-page spread of the table of contents made me use more of my creative brain in the process. I definitely learned how to use even more features on InDesign throughout.

This editing process is probably my favorite, as I learned both what I did wrong and how to fix it without stressing out too much.