Pure design: Indexing

mario garcia

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IndexingThere are different ways a publication can use indexing: through

promotional units for main stories to the inside, through a specific

summary of highlights (the news that the reader must not miss

inside), or through a directory of sections, that is, sports, classified

advertising, opinion, and so forth. Readers appreciate a newspaper,

magazine or newsletter that is easy to navigate. It is with indexes

and promotional units that color is used most effectively, to high-

light key sections, or to guide the reader from one section to the

next.

But do not create indexes to decorate a cover or page one, or to

show off good photos or visuals. Good indexes give the front of the

publication a sense of hierarchy. What do editors think the reader

should read first, second and third? If the reader only has ten

minutes, what is must reading?

And if five more minutes become available, what should be next?

Good indexing prioritizes content for the busy reader.

pure design

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Instant index: El Tiempo of Bogota,Colombia is among the best at usingindexing to pull readers in. The frontpage gives the reader a review ofwhat’s inside, since headlines areaccompanied by story summaries.Promo boxes at the top indicate thebest people coverage, and additionalnavigation indicates features and opinion pieces of interest.