3 deconstructions of contents pages

1. Deconstruction and Analysis of
Three Indie Music Magazine
Contents Pages

2. Headline of „This Week‟ which instantly reveals the
Branding and logo in the top right hand corner purpose of the page so engages the reader. Date underneath the headline
as this is where the reader‟s eye is drawn to
to show that it‟s topical and
when they look at the page. It also reinforces
refers the recent music
the idea of brand and the magazines image events.
which is very important as without a
credible or fashionable image it would not
sell or be respected. Page split into thirds of the band
index, recent story and contents.
This makes the page more
Band index included which lists bands included accessible and aesthetically
in the edition and page they‟re found on as this pleasing. It also connotes
provides even more incentive for the reader to professionalism as it‟s been well
buy it and read it as they will only want to if it organised. The contents has also
contain something that interests them; such as been clearly structured into
bands they like. It also connotes the breadth of separate categories so that
music contained within the magazine. It implies information is easily accessible to
the NME has a USP of containing so many the reader. However there is a lot
bands so therefore appeals to a large target on the contents page and it‟s very
audience. busy and appears to be almost
disorganised which connotes that
Topical news event/story included on the the target audience is slightly
contents age with an easily identifiable image younger than Q‟s. It also implies
engages the reader and provides more incentive that the target audience are
to read it. possibly alienated or disassociated
with mainstream conventions and
Simple colour code used with contrasting prefer the oddness of having a
colours of black, red, white and yellow. This busy and seemingly disorganised
mimics the house style of NME and again house style.
connotes professionalism, It is also extremely
eye catching and easy to read. The use of white
text in the headings also connotes the Including “The UK‟s No.1 Gig Guide” connotes the magazine‟s importance
magazines purity and that hat they write is the and credibility again which is essential because if it wasn‟t perceived as
„truth‟ so is credible and believable. believable then the reader would not care about it‟s opinion on music and
subsequently wouldn‟t buy it. The importance is also connoted through the
Advert to subscribe to NME included at the bottom of the page as the
change in colour codes from the background normally being black behind white
reader has just read what the magazine contains and is supposedly
text to being red which makes it more eye catching. Also through placing it on
looking forward to the edition so this is the optimum time to advertise
the bottom of the page in the right hand corner it means it‟s the last thing the
subscription. Also placing it at the bottom of the page means that it‟s
reader will see so makes it more likely they‟ll read it.
the last thing the reader will see so will stay in their minds for longer.

3. Large and bold masthead placed on the Date of the edition shown
top of the page so that it is easily underneath the title so the edition
Main articles positioned on the
identifiable as the contents page. is easily identifiable.
contents page with an image,
quote and subheading which act
as a lure and provide incentive
Page numbers clearly shown in for the reader to go to that
the corner of the image that is particular article. The quotes
associated with that article so they tend to be vague and enigmatic
can easily be found by readers. as this again acts as an incentive
as the reader wants to understand
what the article is about. The
main content is then revealed in
the sub heading underneath the
quote which solidifies the
Limited colour palette used of reader‟s interest and encourages
mainly black and white as this is them to go to the article.
easy to read which is very
important on the contents page as
the purpose of it is to inform the Informal and some offensive
reader where to find the articles language used which shows the mode
within the magazine. The black of address as informal and
and white also links to the photos personable. This also connotes that
used above the articles so creates the magazine relates to its younger
a sense of unity and target audience and has freedom of
professionalism. expression, just like the music it
contains, as it swears openly.
Advert for a subscription to the The language is also quite derogatory
magazine placed in the bottom left and offensive which connotes the
Listing of the types of articles
corner as this is the last thing the seemingly snobbish attitude of indie
found within the magazine and
reader sees and after all of the music which in order to appear
where shows that the magazine
incentive of the contents page and individual and different has to first
is split into different section
the breadth of articles within they find fault in other music genres.
with different types of articles
within and reveals easily to the hope by placing the advert here the
reader where to find them. reader will be encouraged to
subscribe to it.

4. Use of branding and logo with the Q
Contents split into three distinct on the top left hand side of the Bold and easy to read headline with date on as
sections of features, every month and page. This reinforces the well making it more accessible to the reader
review. Under each heading is a list of magazine’s identity and brand as all the information they want to know such
what they are in this edition and page which reiterates its pride and as what that page is about can be told from a
numbers. This instantly informs the credibility. single glance.
reader what they will find within the
magazine and provides incentive to
read on. Each article heading starts Most of the page is used with a photo that
with the page number so it’s easy to refers to the main article of that edition and
find, then the main tag line of the cover. This technique engages the reader and
article which often creates enigma so draws them into reading the rest of the text. It
the reader reads on, then the sub- also creates a sense of unity within the
heading which reveals a little more and magazine as everything is linked.
provides even more incentive to read
on. Clearly structured contents page with easily
identifiable sections. This makes it easier to
read and again connotes professionalism
and credibility. However it could also
connote that Q is slightly more mainstream
than other indie magazines and this
structure implies that it fits the norm.
The colour codes used within the contents
page are red, white, grey and black which are
all contrasting colours and are therefore eye
The same font is used throughout the
catching. They also connote the brand as Q
entire page which connotes
always uses these colours. This again
professionalism and unity and makes
reinforces the concept that Q cares a lot
the magazine appear more credible.
about its brand image and credibility. The
However the size of the text differs
language and mode of address also connotes
thus connoting how some stories and
this as it’s quite sophisticated and not as
text has more importance than others
informal as NME.
and the reader’s eye is drawn to the
larger font. Artist’s names are also in
bold which makes it stand out amongst
Changing the colour code for the review section connotes its importance and
the rest of the text and instantly tells
including the tag line “The World’s Biggest and Best Music Guide” connotes the
them which articles will interest them.
magazine’s prestige and credibility. This all implies that Q is for a slightly older
and more sophisticated target audience and is more high brow.