Contents Cover Analysis: Q Magazine

1. Images: On the contents page there are around 8 main pictures
with another being that of the front cover (advertising the
subscription service). Majority of these images are in a square
box format and are either taken on location or in a studio in
performance or posed. All of the images range in size with the
most important stories photos being the largest. One of these
images in not a photograph but a cartoon of a still image and is
placed to the right hand side of the page and creates a tone of
the magazine which is not too serious. Each of the images is
paired with a small box of text including the title of the story
and a short description of it, either covering part of the photo
or directly next to it.
Layout: The contents page is presented with majority of the text being featured
towards the bottom third of the page and the images towards the top two thirds.
Therefore our attention is drawn more towards the images than the text as of the
vibrant colours and overall size and number of them. We can understand that the
artists themselves included in the images will be watch interests and catches the
eye of the reader. The page are laid out in columns, with around three- four on
each page ,with the text box columns being the main template for this. This gives
the page a slightly more uniformed look, making it easy to read and get
information from. However as it is set out in a column template, we can get a
sense of organisation in the magazine, connecting to its young adult and much
more mature audience, rather than that of magazines such as ‘Top Of The Pops’.
Sections: There are three main sections featured on the contents. The first of
which in what is presumably included on the cover and the main stories, and is a
mix of images and text boxes, overlapping, next to or underneath them. The next
sections are that of what other stories are included in the magazine (regulars), at
the bottom of the page stretching across the two pages and The Q Review which
is not a part of this specific issue but a regular feature of the magazine. There are
varying amounts of articles in each of the sections. Whilst in the cover story
section six articles are featured, all with a relevant image included, in the regulars
section 16 articles and subtitles are featured. Each article headline is paired with
a short description of what is in the story and also the page number in a red box
towards to left hand side of each, with the main article headline also being read
and having the description in the black, following Q’s usual colour scheme. All of
the fonts featured except that of ‘Contents’ is in serif. The main cover story and
subscription box to the magazine are separately featured at the bottom left and
right of the page. The magazine does not include a band index on the page as it is
not a necessity to its success, however a footer is featured including the page
number, name of the magazine and year of the issues release; with this issue
being in 2012.

2. Images: there are seven images presented on the pages,
with one presumably being that of the magazine cover.
These include both location and studio photo shoot images,
as well as images taken at concerts and one being a
cartoon, showing the magazines much more relaxed tone.
All of the images range in sizes showing a lack of uniformity
throughout the page. The images are all rectangular or
squared format and are all matched with a text box relating
to the story the image involved. The reader is therefore
interested by the image and is able to know where they can
read more through the short description.
Layout: The page includes three main sections, including the images and there
descriptions, the Q Review and subscription column as well as the Regular articles
division. As well as this there is also a section for the title of Contents and a small area
in the bottom left for the main cover story. The attention of the reader is initially
directed towards the images and especially that of the largest of a man directly
addressing the camera. This entices the audience, and makes them want to read on
about the images stories throughout the magazine. Also the images are the only
elements in the page not in grey, black, white or red and thereby standout against all
the other aspects which follow this colour scheme. The images are placed across
majority of the page, giving them majority of the importance, with the most of the text
being included in the bottom third, showing some organisation in the page and also
showing clearly which pages to go to for specific articles.
Sections: as already mentioned there are three main sections on the page, one for
the images and text boxes paired with them, another for the regulars and cover
story information and the third for the Q review and subscription service (featured
in the bottom right). The regular news articles would be one of the main selling
points as returning readers would be attracted to what they have enjoyed to read
before, therefore the editors would have made the smart decision of giving it a large
section of the page. There is around 3-4 articles per column and 13 in this section
and 19 across the whole double page spread. The page text follows the usual colour
scheme of red, black , grey and white, with all the headlines in red and their
descriptions in black. This gives consistency to each issue. The cover story section
includes a block heading of ‘Cover Story’ as well as a headline, short summary and
image, make it distinct from the other articles and stand out. Each text box features
a red page number from where the article can be found and also include only serif
fonts with the exception of the Contents title, and a few other pieces of text. The
magazine does not include a band index on the page as it is not a necessity to its
success, however a footer is featured including the page number, name of the
magazine and year of the issues release; with this issue being in 2012.

3. Images: this contents page differs from the other two example, although
all coming from the same magazine. The page includes 10 images ranging
from performance shots, to studio location and also one cartoon (one of
animated characters from the popular band the Gorillaz). With this
specific cartoon and one of the studio images featuring much more
mature themes (guns and bullets), we get the idea that this magazine is
focused to a much more older audience. Each of the images range in
sizes, with some being tilted in certain angles however majority being in a
rectangular or squared format. The various angles of the images, make
the page look untidy which is also shown by how the images over lap the
title of the contents page and also are over lapped by each other. The
cartoon images are used in each of the examples I have chosen and also
show the relaxed nature of the magazine. Only three of the images
include any associated text other than that of the page number the story
is featured on, showing how the people in these images may already
explain themselves and a description and headline is not needed.
Layout: the layout the page in split into four main columns, with some being taken up
primarily by text and others just with images. this shows how both the text and also the
images are important in the pages layout and each have their own use and intention for
attracting the reader. However in this specific issue our attention is directly to the large
cartoon image and its page number which takes up an entire column on its own. This
depicts that it is an important factor in this issue and will interest the targeted audience.
The page is slightly uniformed by not being too busy or mixing different aspects together
making it untidy, however we can get a sense of its slight lack of uniformity by the varying
angles of some of the images.
Sections: there are many different sections on this page including, The Q review,
section for the images and one of the large animation, and also lists of articles at
each side of the page under the titles of Features and Regulars. Underneath these
headings are various articles in black and grey serif fonts, split up by their black
font page numbers and a thin red line under and above each. The Q review
section however is different by having all of its text except it heading in red and
featuring an image to represent what it is talking about. All of the page numbers
are placed either to the left hand side to all of the text and in a clear space not
coving the image. Those numbers on the image are quite large and increase in
size, depending on the size of the image. There is not subscription service of social
media links on this contents page, as it is quite an old issue and may not have
been a necessary asset at this time and also possibly having these elements
featured on a different page. The cover story is not identified on this page, making
it different to each of the other examples. There is a small footer of a black line at
the bottom of the page with the page number of the contents underneath it,
however there is a thick red and black bordered header which includes the issue
number Contents page title and name of the magazine. Finally the magazine
does not include a band index on the page as it is not a necessity to its success in
attracting readers to specific stories.