First Version / Table of Content

 

Today, I started working on my first Table of Contents (TOC) for my future magazine, and honestly, it was much more challenging than I had anticipated. The hardest part? Choosing the right colors and palettes, which felt like an endless task. I found myself debating over every detail—what shades would best represent the magazine’s theme? Should I go for something bold and vibrant, or would a more minimalist approach work better?

There were so many options, and it was difficult to decide which ones would work together to create a cohesive, appealing design without overwhelming the reader. Every color combination I considered seemed to change the entire vibe of the magazine, making me second-guess myself repeatedly. I knew I wanted the TOC to reflect the style and tone of the magazine as a whole, but at the same time, I didn’t want it to feel too busy or chaotic.

I spent time researching color theory and looking at other magazines to see what worked. Eventually, I narrowed it down to a few key colors that felt both modern and approachable. But even after I chose the palette, I had to decide how to apply it across the TOC. Should the section headings be in one color and the page numbers in another, or should I use a single dominant color throughout?

On top of the colors, there was also the task of layout. How should I organize the sections? What font choices would make everything legible and easy to navigate? I wanted a balance between creativity and functionality. It was a struggle to ensure the TOC didn’t feel too cluttered or, on the other hand, too sparse. Each decision felt important because the TOC is the first impression of the magazine—it needs to capture the reader's attention and guide them into the content with ease.

In the end, I realized that the process wasn’t about getting everything perfect right away, but about making thoughtful choices that reflect the vision I have for the magazine. Sure, there were moments of uncertainty, but that’s part of the creative journey. I learned that developing a TOC requires a lot of thought, but it’s also a chance to experiment and refine the design as I move forward.