The document analyzes the codes and conventions used in the contents pages of various regional magazines. It finds that contents pages typically include: the magazine name; a date; page numbers in a contrasting color; images relating to main articles; and contents organized into columns against a plain white background. The magazines' visual designs reinforce their brands and target audiences through fonts, colors, and images that appeal to reader interests.
2. Time Out
The large, red, sans serif font
stands out and makes the
magazine easy to navigate.
Also fits in with the house
colours of time out.
The website link at the bottom of the
page encourages reader’s to find
out more about the magazine. The
date lets them know how recent it is.
Coloured page numbers
stand out and are unique
for the special addition of
the magazine.
The contentsare organised
into threewide columns
broken up by straight lines. The
main features being in bold
breaks up the solid blocks of
text.
Editors letter at the
bottom of the page.
A solid red square in the top
middle of the page makes the
word ‘contents’ stand out and fits
in with the house colours.
Three image at the top of the
page captioned with white text.
Musicals are popular with most
people so will appeal to the wide
target audience.
3. Cardiff Life
One large image at the top of the
page. The model has direct mode of
address which creates a personal
relationship with the reader (Uses and
Grats).The finger over the lips has
connotationsof secrecy and suggests
the reader is sharing something private
with the audience.
The large white page number on
the image contrasts with the
white background,and suggests
that this is the main article.
The header at the top of the
page in serif font reinforces the
brand identity and makes the
reader more likely to remember
the magazine name.
The red and bold
lettering breaks up
the solid block of
text, making it more
interesting to read.
An advert at thebottom of the
contentspage is unconventional.
The bright blue colouring draws in
the reader’s attention.
The issue number and date
at the top of the page are
informative(Uses and
Grats) - tells the reader how
recent the magazine is.
4. Absolute (Brighton)
Direct mode of address creates a
personal relationship with the
reader (uses and grats) and makes
them feel more involved with the
magazine. The eye contact also
suggeststhe models are not being
objectified by the male gaze
(Laura Mulvey)
Coloured page numbers
stand out and fit in with the
colour scheme. The list of
contentsis on the left hand
side and broken up by
straight black lines.
Address and social media
links encourage people to
find out more about the
magazine. The page
numbers in the corner
make the magazine easy
to navigate.
Magazine name at the bottom
of both pages reinforces the
brand identity, making the
name stick in the reader’s mind.
A poem about the region
on the same page as the
contentsmakes the
magazine unique.
Colourful, vibrantcolours in the
image stand out and draw in
the reader’s attention.The long
shot shows off the model’s
outfits and immediately suggest
the magazine is partly about
fashion (catches the attention
of the target audience).
5. Cornwall Today
Contentsare spread
across two pages.
The date tells the reader that
the magazine is recent so the
information is relevant.
‘Contents’ in serif font
across the top of the left
hand page. The bold black
font is clear and easy to
read.
The sign to recycle fits in
with the environmental
theme of the magazine.
Information about the
magazine in small font in a
left hand column doesn’t
interfere with the design.
Appeals to an older target
audience as the contents
mainly revolvearound
natureand wildlife, homes
and property (stereotypically
not interesting to teenagers/
young adults). The square
blocks of colour make it easy
to navigate.
6. Absolutely White sans serif font is a contrast
to the dark background.The
font is thin and classy which
suggeststhe magazine has an
older target audience.
The black and white
floor fits in with the
colour scheme, with the
bright red dress and
pale skin contrasting
and drawing in the
reader’s attention.
Direct mode of address and
open posture creates a
personal relationship with the
reader (uses and grats) and
makes them more engaged
with the magazine. The date in serif font
tells the reader the
magazine is recent.
Slightly transparentcolumn
separates the text from the
image whilst still fitting in
with the design.
A copy of the front cover of
the magazine in the bottom
right corner, next to the
name of the designer.
It could be argued the short
skirt is unnecessarily sexualising
and objectifies the women for
the male gaze (Mulvey)
7. Codes and Conventions
• The contents are either on a double page spread or a single
page.
• The page numbers are in a different colour to the main text and
fit in with the colour scheme.
• There’s normally the name of the magazine somewhere on the
page.
• The contents are either arranged in columns or in a single column
going down the page.
• The background is often plain white with the image relating to the
main article, which is normally larger than the rest.
• There’s normally a date at the top of the page, sometimes the
issue number.
