Content Page Analysis

Content Page Analysis 1

 

For the contents of Q magazine the colour theme of red, black and white are carried throughout keeping the dark, gothic theme. The colours of the contents page create a dramatic and almost show like feel to the contents as the contrast to create the mood.

On the contents pages there are 10 images spaced onto the double page spread with a number layered on top of the corners of the images to indicate which page the image and story that links with the image can be found. The images layer over the top of each other in a ‘scrapbook’ style and fit neatly around the text. The text is in a Cambria font, which is bold for the sub-headings varying in a red or black colour.

The images in the contents pages link with the plug and cover lines that were printed on the front. The front cover of the magazine is re-printed in the contents in a smaller size. There is also another image of Cheryl Cole, which takes up the whole right-side third of the page. Other images include screen captures of articles on a double page spread and photos of features bands. These images represent the type of music that is feature in the magazine and shows the stories that are feature in this month’s issue.

The people featured in the photos have been styled with a rocky theme that also links with the theme that Cheryl Cole was styled with on the cover. This creates an impression on the reader that clearly shows the gothic theme that is carried through the magazine.

The sub-headings that are printed on the left-side third and right side third of each page are in bold to catch the reader’s eye and draw them in to that specific page. Underneath each bold sub-heading there is a short summary in black about what’s on the page. The layout has been carefully put together and fits well. Because of the bold headings, the contents page is easy to identify with at a glance and interests the reader straight away. For select pages a small section of each page has been used to promote the page with an image and the summary in a bigger size and typed in red.

The language is short and to the point. The language is also persuasive as it uses phrases such as ‘Access all areas!’ The language also gets the reader involved with the featured stories as the language is in a conversational tone.

Overall I think the contents page double spread is effective due to the colours and the theme of the magazine. The sub-headings give a clear indication of what is featured in the magazine. It’s designed to appeal to a younger audience that buy the magazine and represents their interests by having stories in the magazine that appeal to the average reader. Younger readers are address by featuring celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Mark Ronson in their magazines who they can relate to however an older reader could also be interested in reading this magazine as they also have celebrities such as Diana Ross and The Rat Pack who are celebrities that an older audience can relate to.

Content Page Analysis 2

 

This is the contents page from Q magazine again however, this is only half of the contents page, and most issues of Q magazine have a double page contents section whereas I’ll only be doing a single page spread for my magazine. Here you can see the regulars section, which displays that the magazine has cemented itself as a publication that is read often by a crowd of devoted fans, so they have features that are in it every week and readers may want to find easily.

The front cover image is also displayed again on the contents page, perhaps to remind the reader what they are reading and possibly just to fill dead space. The House Style of the magazine is very evident here. Their famous signature colour scheme of black, white and red is active here and that is what makes them a brand really, so they have to include it. The chatty style of language used on the front cover continues into the contents page, to make readers feel relaxed reading it and so it doesn’t seem too clinical, with the straight lines and recognisable colours.

I really like the layout of this content page, because it is organised and it’s easy to see things that might excite you and you may want to read. They have pictures instead of titles to display what is inside, which again may create more excitement to read it. Some of the pictures are thumbnails of the actual finished page. The subscription box may possibly make the reader feel more included and powerful, as it is a directly appeal to the reader, so this may also relax them reading it, as they don’t feel that the magazine is better than them. There is also a “Q Review” box, the rhyme of Q and Review makes it seem catchy and exciting, and the fact it has its own box with a different coloured back ground makes it seem important and like their opinion is something you should listen to. The Muppets appear to be the feature they want you to read the most, although The Muppets aren’t even a music act. I cannot think of a reason that this would be the case, other than external endorsement. Obviously, my magazine doesn’t have endorsement and therefore I will only include musical acts.

Content Page Analysis 3

 

The main picture on this contents page is one of The Courteeners. It looks as if the image has been taken in a specific place, on a hill top with a vert distant back ground, which could be real, or could have been edited in, however either way it still looks real and something I would like to consider when making my content page.

The Courteeners style of music is quite 'indie', which shows that the genre of music in this magazine is varied a lot. This also means that the magazine has a very large target audience as it doesn't just specify on one type of music throughout the magazine. The style of font is simple and varies very little. The colour scheme is black, white and red, which supports the same style as the cover of the magazine.

The information is neatly organised in to different sections on the page, including; 'features', a review section, and also an 'every month' section - this is to keep readers interested in the magazine, giving them reasons to carry on buying it and also so that they know what to expect in the next issue.

The page is very easy to understand and is not all 'jumbled up' or hard to work out, the page numbers next to each part inside the magazine are clear. The sections are clear to see, this shows that the magazine is quite organised and you can see that the layout has been thought about properly before-hand.
There are some promotional features on the contents page such as promoting the names of artists telling the readers about new songs and albums to be released.
The logo of the magazine 'Q' is placed at the top of the page next to where it says 'contents', it isn't too dominant, however it is noticeable. There is also a smaller one next to the subheading; 'review' which is also still noticeable because of the bright red background.

Overall I like this content page and love the image used, this will defiantly help me when making mine and I shall base some of my ideas against it. Some of the other content pages I have looked at have a lot of different images placed around the page however this is normally a double page spread whereas I’ll be doing a single page spread. Therefore would rather just have the one larger image with more writing than loads of over crowed images, so stick to the style of this content page above.

Content Page Analysis 4

 

The main picture on this contents page is a close up of Adele. It is quite a simple picture with a plain grey background. By using a picture of Adele the makers of the magazine clearly know that this will attract a lot of people as Adele is such a big artist in the music industry. The grey background has kept within the content page behind some of the writing making it look more professional and comes together better.

The caption underneath the picture says 'Two months in the life of Britain's brightest new talent', as this magazine was published in 2008, this was near that beginning of Adele's musical career, however now we know that she has grown in to one of the biggest music artists in the world.
Again the same colour theme is used black, white and red as I said before grey has been added into this Q magazine. Adele herself also fits in with this colour scheme, wearing a black top and red/pink lipstick.
The layout is the same as the contents page above, set out in different sections with small sub-headings to go with each section. It's very easy to read and understand and it is clear to see were each section starts and finished. As above, next to heading and subheading is the logo 'Q', which is easy to point out on the page.

This content page is like any other Q magazine content and is starting to become a bit of a trend however I like this as I want to base mine on it and gives me plenty of different ideas and looks to go off.

Content Page Analysis 5

 

The colours on the contents page follow the conventional colours of most rock magazines and also match with the front page, consisting of red, white and black. These colours are associated with rock and heavy metal and therefore emphasise the magazines genre and keeps the target audience interested in the magazine, they wouldn’t be likely to read the magazine if it were orange and pink for example.  The bold red really stands out and makes it clear what is on the page.

The layout of Q magazine contents page is very interesting, bold and eye catching. The layout is very sophisticated, as is the front page, but still holds a rock genre with the colours and bold features on the page. It’s different to a conventional contents page as it spreads across two pages, however, this means that all the features and images are spread out and are clear to see for anyone with bad eye sight. In the middle of the two columns of features are many images which are all quite interesting pictures, and not anything dull, which keeps the target audience intrigued into the magazine. Each image has a page number written clearly on it so it’s easy for the reader to find what they’re looking for. The main cover line story has the biggest image of the two pages for emphasis as it’s the most interesting story in the magazine. At the bottom of the page is a review, which is conventionally in most magazines.

The magazine has a sophisticated, yet rock/heavy metal atmosphere and the language used on the contents page doesn’t differ to that. Each of the headlines isn’t very dramatic or exciting; they’re simple and intelligent to follow on from the rest of the magazines style. The font used is also very simple and sophisticated and all this really brings the two pages together so that it all fits together.

Overall I really like this contents page as it wasn’t very cluttered or overcrowded and it wasn’t too dark or too colourful to notice things. The light background keeps the mood positive, yet the red and black writing keep the rock genre. Everything is very clear to read with a description under each headline and it has many interesting images to look at and it’s clear what page they’re on. Overall, it is a very good and successful contents page.