Analysis of existing magazine contents pages.

1. Magazine Contents Page Analysis
This is the contents page from a country
magazine called Country Weekly. This contents
page has three pictures featuring the artists
involved in the articles, these images are
showing the three articles that are on the cover
of this magazine issue.
The colours used for the writing is red for the
article titles and black for the page number and
small caption under the article title, this is to
keep the colour scheme constant throughout
the magazine. The front cover will have both
red and black in the image or for the text on the
cover. The use of red for the article name is
affective because it makes the article names the
main feature on the contents page. This is what
I am aiming for in my contents page because I
find that this colour scheme is effective.
The three images are on the left side of the
contents page; this is a neat and sophisticated
layout for the contents page which highlights
that the audience are mature and older than
children. Each of the images have a number
written on or next to, this is so that the readers know what page each image is linked to and
what article the image will be involved in. This is different and interesting because reading a
list can be boring so the images break up the text and add a visual for the article title.
The overall layout of the contents page is sophisticated and neat. There is a border around
the contents page to keep to the orderly and uncluttered look of the magazine. At the bottom
of the page there is a section on how to subscribe to the magazine and details on customer
services and you are given a paragraph about that. This is written in a small font which does
not attract attention from the contents page.
In the top of the border there is a title to the contents page, the page is called ‘Departments’
this is different to most magazine contents pages as many call the contents page ‘Contents’.
The word department is unique to the magazine and could be related to shopping as shops
have departments for different topics. Using departments as the title to the contents page
can suggest the different articles that the magazine has. Also the title is written in red which
matches the article titles; creating the idea that the articles are different parts to the
magazine.

2. Magazine Contents Page Analysis
This contents page is from Country Weekly
in this issue of the contents page the layout is
the same as other issues. There is a different
colour scheme as this contents page follows a
yellowish orange colour for the article titles
and the title of the contents page. This can be
because of the main artist on the cover of the
magazine cover for this issue; also this colour
is similar to the red used in the previous
contents page. The colour used for the article
titles can symbolise success and wealth as it
looks similar to gold.
The images in this contents page are of
different artists of which two are duet bands.
The colours in the images are different
because they include lighter colours and more
natural poses. The layout to where the images
are positioned is they are all on the left side to
the contents page with one image near the
top half of the page with two images
underneath. The image on top also includes a
brief paragraph on the Nash magazine which the image relates to, this is advertising a
magazine that is linked to Country weekly. This is affective however maybe the image could
be of the covering feature article.
The rest of the article names and page numbers are positioned on the right side of the page
in an organised list which some have a small description on the article; written in black and a
small font size. This layout is sophisticated and I will be using this layout for my contents
page, because it shows the audience is older and mature. It also keeps the whole magazine
clear, the readers are able to read all the writing on the page and also find the page number
for the article they wish to read easily as the numbers are written clearly in a bold black
colour.
At the bottom of the page there is a section where the readers can subscribe to the
magazine and there are also details on the customer services for the magazine. This shows
the audience age range because this would not be seen in a magazine for young children.
This is an effective and unique part to the contents page which will stand out, however the
paragraph is written in a small font size which can make it hard for the audience to read and
I do not see it as very necessary.
The title to the contents page is ‘Departments’ which is unique and different, because many
magazine usually just call the contents page something like ‘inside’ or ‘content’ which makes
‘departments’ different. Also it implies the age of the readers because the word departments
is usually used in shops such as Halfords which many adults will go to. The use of
‘departments’ can suggest that each article is on a different artist but fits in with country
music.

3. Magazine Contents Page Analysis
This is a contents page for Country Weekly. The page
numbers are written in black with the titles of articles
in red. All the writing is positioned on the right side of
the page while the majority of the page is taken up by
an image of Glen Campbell, who is the covering artist
and main feature in this issue of Country Weekly.
Also there is a short paragraph underneath each of the
titles to briefly explain what the article is about or who
is involved in the article. The contents page is titles
‘Features’ which is printed at the top centre of the page
in a bright blue, it is also printed in bold capital letters.
At the bottom of the page in the left corner there is the
website of the magazine printed in small black letters.
The image is of Glen Campbell at a gig, he has either
walked on stage and is welcoming the fans before his
performance or he could be thanking the fans after his
performance. This can be seen as behind his you can
see the edge of a guitar and a person’s arm, along with
a microphone. The image can give an insight on what
the article will be about and can also create more interest in the article itself.
In general this contents page is general and simple; it has two main colours featuring. This
contents page shows that the audience is older and will range between 18 – 45 years old. This
can show that country music is aimed at adults and is not usually listened to by children.
Country songs are commonly about a breakup or general life problems or love; many of the
adults who listen to country music are able to relate to the lyrics.
In my magazine I will use a layout similar to this contents page because I think it looks
sophisticated and clear. In my contents page however there will be a different image as my
cover artist is a female and therefore my image will be a female artist.