contents page analysis

Contents page analysis- media studies

Contents page 1

The first contents page which I am going to analyse is from the magazine ‘Q’. The first feature which instantly attracts the readers’ attention is the issue number. It is placed in the top third of the page on a red background, using whit font, allowing it to contrast with the red in order to fully stand out.

Below that is a range of images which link to the different text which is included within the magazine. Each of the images also includes a number, telling the reader which page the information is on which belongs with the picture. All of the images are similar colour (hazy and dark). The purpose of this is to ensure that the pictures contrast well with the red within the house style in order to stand out to the reader. This will be beneficial for ‘Q’ in order for the magazine to be successful. There is one main image which is the image to the left hand side as that it the biggest image (the size of three put together). It also has a weird look which is associated with indie/rock bands and album covers.

At the top right of the page is a decreased image of the next issue which is going to be released after this one. This is professional as it persuades the reader into wanting to get the next magazine. It is again a continuous house style for all of the magazines. Below this image is all of the page numbers, followed by the feature name and then a brief description of what is going to be on each page. The page number and feature name is in the same bold, modern font. A red block line then divides the page number and feature name from the brief description. The purpose of this is to show a clear divide which is beneficial to the reader when the reader comes to reading it but also shows a continuous house style. The brief description is in a smaller font and isn’t bold. The purpose of this is the page number and the feature name needs to be the most eye catching as that will then intrigue the reader into reading the description anyway. Also, the description needs to be smaller to ensure it all fits onto the page. The purpose of this layout is also to keep the contents page in an organized format.

The ‘Q review’ is a pull quote which has been taken from the article in order to give the reader an idea of the tone and the feature. It basically has more information than the brief description. The contents page sticks to the convention of having the page in rule of thirds.

I like the way the images are placed on one side on the other side, it makes it look tidy and organized. It shoes a clear guidance and looks professional. I also like how there is an image of the next issue at the top of the page. Placing it at the top of the page will ensure the reader doesn’t mistake it for being just an image rather than the upcoming release.

What I think could be improved is the lack of features within the red banner at the top of the page. I think the text looks out of place and as though there is something missing.

Contents page 2

The second contents page which I’m going to analyse is from the magazine ‘Kerrang’. The aspect which stands out the most is probably the images and then the large image. The large image obviously stands out because it is taking up much of the page. The Masthead stands out due to its black background and bright, contrasting text o top of the black. The colour scheme black, white and yellow links to the house style of Kerrang.

The issue number and date is held below the ‘contents’, the purpose of this is to simply inform/keep the reader up to date with which issue it is and which one they will potentially be purchasing next. It is also a convention of a contents page.

The images give the reader an idea of what is going to be inside the magazine. They also correspond with the page numbers, again, giving a taste of what features it is going to contain.

There is an Editor’s letter which is often a convention of a contents page. It gives a short preview of what the magazine is going to contain and what the purpose it. It also sometimes has a personal insight; it is also often in keeping with the magazine. Behind the image is the Masthead which is usually re-printed onto the contents page, the purpose of this is for upkeep of house style and it is an important feature of the magazine. It is a convention of a contents page and is designed to be fully recognisable in order to stand out from other features on the page.

I like how the page numbers and feature name is a larger text than the brief description. This makes it stand out more rather than if it was all the same size. I also like how there is a Editor’s letter as it adds an interesting feature for the readers entertainment.

What I highly dislike about this contents page is how over-crowded the page is; I think there is way too much text and images. I think there is potentially too many to the point where it pushes the reader away instantly. I also would prefer it if it was laid out differently. I think it looks too muddled up sowing no clear order or organisation.

Contents page 3

The third contents page which I am going to analyse is from the magazine ‘vibe’. Vibe magazine is a hip hop magazine; the contents page makes this obvious by the colours used and the colour of the characters skin. Which stands out the most is the main image which takes up two thirds of the page, starting from the bottom third. The Masthead for the contents page is in white, which contrasts with the black on the top third of the page. The colour scheme which is used is monochromatic as it is black, white, greys etc. This links to the character in the main image as her dress and jewellery are grey/silver. This is effective as it connects well enabling it to be desirable. Her stilettos are a more shiny grey as they are made a main feature. They stand out against the rest of the colours.

The purpose of the contents page is to simply inform the reader of what is going to be inside the magazine. At the top of the page, the white outlined ‘V’ (which stands for vibe which is the name of the magazine) symbolises the shape of the woman’s legs connecting to two together in order to draw the reader in.

The writing to inform the reader of what information is on what page is different line lengths which could symbolise stairs due to the stance in the image. It is in a small font containing bits of bold text for the important information which may intrigue the reader. The text is divided into two different sections being ‘features’ and ‘fashion’. These two titles are in bold to show the two different sections clearly to the reader.

I like the image which is used on the contents page and the how the stance connotes many things on the page and to do with the page. For e.g. the ‘V’ shape with her legs linking to the title of the magazine etc.

Contents page 4

The fourth contents page which I am going to analyse is from the magazine ‘Billboard’. This magazine is a mixture of music containing R&B, chart music and rock/indie. The top third is the most attractive third out of the three. The reason being for this is it has three and a bit images which attracts the readers’ attention instantly. The contents title is in a bold black font which is situated on the ‘No 1’ part on the league on the left side of the page. The colour scheme which is used is blue black and white. The purpose of these colours been used for the house style is they all contrast well together ensuring they all stand out to the reader. It also inks to the colours in the images, for example the blue links to the sky in the first image, the black and white links to the clothes and backgrounds in all four images.  

There is a lot of writing including the page numbers, which are in a bold font, followed by the short text giving brief information of what is going to be on this page. The purpose of the number being bold and the text being normal is that the numbers stand out to the reader so the reader is fully aware of the exact page numbers. There are also events and online exclusives in the bottom third of the page, again, having bold and normal text showing the title followed by the information giving a brief explanation of each topic. This is done to give the reader an idea of what they are potentially going to read into.

The league table to the left of the page is showing the top story’s from this magazine and other magazines, showing how successful this magazine is in the current market.

I like the use of four images as it is a persuasive convention to use in terms of getting the readers’ attention. I also like how they come before the text as it doesn’t rush straight in bombarding the reader with text.

I dislike the amount of text used and the league table makes the page look cluttered. I think the table should be on a separate page with an explanation as to exactly what it is. I think the amount of text would push the reader away from reading it all which potentially means they may not read certain things which are important parts which the magazine wants them to specifically read.

Contents page 5

The final contents which I am going to analyse is from the magazine ‘Mojo’. The genre of this magazine is rock which is exposed through the fonts, colours and images used. The masthead is in a black bold font which is the feature which attention is instantly drawn to over the other features. The purpose of this is to ensure the reader is fully aware of the magazine it is from. However, nowhere does it say that this is a contents page which may leave the reader confused, as well as slacking a convention of a contents page. The colour scheme is black white and red which is shown through the background, titles/text and filled boxes above the images as well as the red within one of the images. There are images around the outside of the page showing a variety of colours; some brightly coloured, sepia and black and white. This is effective as it is giving the reader a variety to look at making it more interesting.

The numbers and titles for each page are in the same bold black text as the ‘Mojo’ however not as big. The brief description follows in a normal font to ensure the title and page number stands out the most for the readers’ benefit as well as being a convention of a contents page. This font is different to the titles just to show that there is a wider variety being used.

I like the layout and use of images on this contents page as it is different yet still meeting conventions of a contents page. I also like the use of two different fonts showing a variety and making it look more interesting and professional. I will adapt this when creating my own contents page. I like how the red filled boxes situated on the images telling the reader which page they are on contrast with every other feature on the page allowing the red to fully stand out.