As you flip open a magazine or a book, I bet most of you would skip the table of contents and dive right into the chapters. The table of contents is believed to be the least interesting part in a publication, given that most traditional designs list only the page numbers, chapter titles and items that bore the readers. In fact, a table of content can be beautiful and creative without compromising its functionality.
There are four major elements when it comes to table of contents design: ‘Photo’, ‘Text’, ‘Graphics’ and ‘White space’. ‘Photo’ means photo selection and editing; ‘Text’ means typography, the technique of arranging type to make it readable and appealing; ‘Graphics’ mean the images that complement the text; ‘White space’ means the unmarked portion of a page that helps direct the readers’ attention. Here are 20 ideas that have put these four elements to good use to turn the table of content into an eye-catching and readable one.
Photo Index
Play with shapes and space
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page1-1024x512.jpg)
This table of contents was inspired by the brand’s logo that is made up by triangles. Photos from the chapters are cropped into a chain of triangles, diving the page in two diagonally. It is a creative way to communicate the brand’s image.
Honeycomb layout
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page2-1024x512.jpg)
Fill the honeypots with preview images. It is an interesting and usual way to present the information with a honeycomb layout.
Use preview Images
Besides brief descriptions, you can use preview images that serve as a sneak peek in the table of contents to make your layout shine.
Use columns
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page4-1024x512.jpg)
Divide the layout into four columns and pick a representative photo for each. See how the magic turns the table of contents an easy-to-navigate and beautiful one?
Make it like an Instagram
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page5-1024x512.jpg)
Make your table of contents like your own Instagram. Create a decent Instagram feed by picking a consistent colour palette and size for your photos, with page numbers and chapter’s name below each photo.
Open Space
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page6-1024x512.jpg)
Compared with a table of contents that is tightly packed, leaving enough space gives your readers rooms to think and imagine, lending a clean layout that is comfortable to the eyes.
Gallery Style
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page7-1024x512.jpg)
Consider creating a gallery wall by inserting a different number of preview images into each column. See? There comes a beautiful picture.
Use a large & eye-catching
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page8-1024x512.jpg)
Catch your readers’ attention with a large and eye-catching photo and your table of contents aligned on the remaining ¼ space. It gives the page a clean and neat look.
Typography
Back to basics: B & W
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page9-1024x512.jpg)
Black and white are the epitome of timelessness, subtlety and simplicity. Incorporate these two colours into your pared-back page layout to achieve a style that never gets old.
Turn Type into Images
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page10-1024x512.jpg)
Use expressive typography that turns text into visual elements to show the many faces of text and to accentuate the purpose of the table of contents.
Make shapes with words
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page11-1024x512.jpg)
In terms of typesetting, make text into a shape that you like to add a character to your table of contents.
Numbers
Add brief descriptions & Create a hierarchy
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page12-1024x512.jpg)
Add a brief description for each chapter to help readers navigate. You can also build a hierarchy in the table of contents by giving the featured chapters visual emphasis so as to grab your readers’ attention.
Go bold: Yellow and Large & Bold Numbers
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page13-1024x512.jpg)
Yellow represents happiness and energy. The bold combination of yellow and black creates an impactful presence for the enlarged numbers.
Turn number into design elements
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page14-1024x512.jpg)
Turn numbers of different sizes into the key visual on your table of contents with the larger ones representing the cover stories or featured articles.
Overlaid layers
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page15-1024x512.jpg)
Try giving each section a subject spread image with bold page number overlaid. You can arrive at an appealing and distinctive table of contents layout.
Put text box into grids
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page16-1024x512.jpg)
All clear at a glance, this is a neat and tidy layout without looking boring. The grids allow you to lay out the information clearly.
Poster-like
Stripe type with photographs
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page17-1024x512.jpg)
Like weaving, the alternate stripes of text and image gives a dramatic effect to the table of contents. However, be careful with the image that you choose, this could make the table of contents hard to read.
Representative image
A common table of contents design in fashion magazines. A representative image surrounded by page numbers and chapter titles makes the layout interesting, while helps promoting the product in the image.
Infographic
Timeline
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page19-1024x512.jpg)
Insert design elements based on the actual content of your publication. Like Mighty Moo – The Story, a book about the brand’s history, it turns the table of contents into a timeline that tells the flow of the book.
Train map
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page20-1024x512.jpg)
If you are making a tourist guide, why not make your table of contents like a train route map with chapter names and page numbers that is not difficult to use?
Give an icon & a colour to each chapter
![](http://www.ccplusmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/contents-page21-1024x512.jpg)
Put the chapters into categories by giving them a colour or an icon each that makes the publication easy to navigate.