The document describes the contents page of a magazine. It discusses various design elements including the colour scheme, masthead, main image, issue details, and layout. The colour scheme uses black, yellow and red. The masthead is similar to the front cover. The main image shows the theme of rock music. Additional images and page numbers help readers locate stories. Credits to photographers are included. The editor's note adds a personal touch. Subscription deals are featured at the bottom right.

1. Colour scheme: the main colours used are black, yellow and Masthead: similar one used for the front cover to show continuity in the magazine.
red which contrasts with the colour scheme used on the front The title isn’t as large as it was on the front cover because the emphasis on this page
page. The basic colour scheme makes it easy on the eyes and is the content of the magazine as opposed to establishing the magazine brand. The
makes everything look clear unlike the front cover, which used word ‘content’ is also found at the top of the contents page in a yellow sans serif font
various colours making the page look busy. that contrasts against the black banner, which grabs the readers’ attention.
Main image: the main image doesn’t appear to Issue number and date: they have put the
link to the main cover image used for the front information about the magazine, which provides
cover that I analyzed earlier, which is an the costumer with the date of the issue, and the
unusual feature as magazines tend to use number which is a usual feature of a contents page.
synergy across the main cover image and the
main feature. The magazine may want to With the contents, they have used the house style
create awareness for another of its features. with the yellow and the black writing. They also
The photo also shows the theme of the followed the house style as they have written the
magazine with the “rock” like pose which sees information in the colour black. The layout is quite
the artist singing in the microphone. The artist clear, as readers are able to identify the different
who has been photographed fits in with the articles and where they can find them. The magazine
rock music genre from the jacket he is wearing has positioned the writing on the right hand side of
and the tattoos on his fingers, which are usually the page. The page number comes before the text
associated with a rebellious and rock look. follows with a few words about each article. The page
numbers are in a red colour that contrasts to the black
Small images appear on the contents page of 2 and yellow, making them stand out to the reader.
articles to feature and the page number. This
enables readers to locate the particular stories Credit to photographers: credits to photographers
and see what it looks like before they even look who have taken the images on the contents page have
through the magazine and gives them a been included which is usual convention of a contents
preview of what to expect. This is a common page in magazine
convention used in most magazines.
Editor’s note: The editor of the magazine has
written a small note welcoming readers to the Subscriptions: deals for magazine subscriptions are
magazine and by doing this it adds a personal touch featured in the contents so that readers can
to the magazine. The note also informs to readers subscribe and have the issues sent directly to them.
of extra details that are exclusive to the magazine It has been placed on the bottom right corner and
and nowhere else. Adding this note makes readers the magazine has tried to use strong colours to keep
feel part of a community and encourages them to readers attention, as it is the last place where they
repeatedly purchase the magazine. will look. It also makes the magazine multi-platform.

2. Masthead: the contents title is very eye catching and stands out from the page.
Colour scheme: very simplistic colour scheme of black, white and
The font is very big and bold, which attracts readers to the page. The font is a sans
red. The plain background emphasises the central focus on the pop
serif giving the page an informal and modern look reflecting their target audience
star featured, who is this issue’s main story
who are teenagers and young adults. The black colour of the title contrasts against
the white background and helps make it stand out. The positioning of it at the top
makes it noticeable and it is the first thing we see.
The contents page has only mentioned its 4 main
features of the magazine. The editor may have
Main image: The picture on this contents page is
chosen to do this as they feel it is their 4 best
of Katy Perry and this shows the target audience
stories and the ones that will help attract readers’
that she will be the main feature in this magazine.
to purchase the magazine. Once the reader has
The image is of an artistic and creative style as the
purchased the magazine and read these 4
artist is seen holding a blown up toad stood, this
features, then they will come across the other
makes the image look fun, innocent and also quite
articles that feature.
odd. It also shows how quirky and unique Katy
Perry is. The artist appears to look smaller than the
inflated object she is holding which again furthers Layout: the contents page is dominated by the
the idea of her innocence. The clothing of the artist main image, which is unusual from the other
is feminine and girly, reflecting her target audience contents pages I have analyzed. It has one column
of teenage girls who want to look their icon. Her of texts and a quotation in the bottom left hand
outfit also matches the toad still to avoid clash in side of the page, which again differs from the
the colours. other content pages I have looked at. Blender
magazine have used a simplistic and minimalist
The white spaces have been used to attract layout for their contents page, something that is
attention on the artist and the ‘contents’ title, common in most of their issues, as I noticed
which both stand out from the page and grabs the earlier when analyzing one of its front covers.
readers’ attention instantly. The font used throughout the contents page is sans
serif, which makes the magazine look modern, and
A direct quote from the main feature Katy Perry
appeal to their target market of teenagers and
has been included on the page. This creates
young adults. There is not much text on the page
curiosity and draws readers in to see what is
and minimal descriptions of the features included;
meant by this quote from the artist. People
this may appeal to their readers as they won’t want
reading this magazine will be a fan of Katy Perry
to read lots of information just to gain an insight on
and therefore including this quote will further
what to expect.
attract them to read the interview she has done
for the magazine. This is an unconventional feature
that is not usually used on a contents page from
The magazine’s web address has been included on the contents page as it hasn’t
looking at other contents page.
been on the front cover and the designer felt that it was important for the
website address to be positioned somewhere in the contents page.

3. Masthead: the distinct ‘Q’ logo is positioned at the top The magazine’s Myspace profile has been included which
left corner of the page followed by the ‘contents’. The creates synergy as the magazine is not only advertising their
logo is showing the house style, with the red, white and brand but is advertising the social networking site.
ma
black and is involved within the entire magazine. They
lir whele
have also included the magazine information (issue
number and the date) in the black banner because it is
the first thing you see and therefore make it noticeable.
Main image: the magazine have used a photo of
This makes the magazine available to a much wider
artist Adele, showing that she is one of the main
audience – makes it a multi-platform, and allows them
stories with the issue and helps attract readers
to advertise more as well.
to the story. The image is the central focus of the
page as it is the first thing the reader notices.
The features of the magazine have been positioned The artist is looking into the distance as if she is
on the left third of the page. The layout of the deep in thoughts and not looking directly at the
contents is clear and this creates an easy way to camera. There is also a caption over the photo
navigate through the magazine with the ease of use. with the artist’s name and informs the reader
The numbers and titles of each section, such as that the feature will look at the life of the artist
‘Features’ and’ Every Month’, are in the same style who is ‘Britain’s brightest new talent.’
as the ‘Q’ making a house style and memorable for
the reader. Also, the title of each page is in bold
making them stand out and eye catching. The names
of artists and bands featured also in a bold font to Colour scheme: the main colours used are white,
signify their importance to the magazine issue. grey, black and red to create a simplistic and
professional look that will attract their older
The magazine has also included a section in their audience. All the mentioned features are clear
contents named ‘women in music’. Each issue of Q and help the readers in locating the articles they
magazine focuses on a particular theme and this want to read.
issue looks at the famous women in the music
industry, such as Adele who is the main image on
the page. This section stands out from the others The ‘Review’ feature on the contents page creates a
as it is in a grey colour, suggesting that the central lure for the audience and also makes a focus point
focus is on female artists. as it is at the bottom of the page where the eye
looks last. The box contains more text about
‘Every month’ suggests to the reader that this is additional features in the magazine and a sub image
always included in the magazine, which creates a of a band is on the left hand side of it.
house style but can also show them as being multi
platform. It includes entertainment for the reader
such as crosswords and Q Mail. Subscriptions for the
magazine are also mentioned.

4. Colour scheme: the contents page uses the 3 main colours or white, black and red,
Masthead: The same title that would appear on the which create the house style for the magazine. Red is traditionally used as it reflects
front cover has been used to show design synergy in the title of the magazine ‘heat’ and we associate with fire and the colour red.
the magazine. It has been positioned in the top left
corner of the page in a smaller font and follows the Main image: the image used is humorous and
house style. The issue date has also been included in amusing as the faces of 2 celebrities have been
the title banner, which is a typical convention in cut out and edited to fit the bodies of the image.
most magazine contents page. The readers can tell from the visible editing that
this image isn’t real but makes them laugh as the
woman stands there with a knife, ready to throw
A smaller insert of the front cover has been at the man on the wheel. The image mocks the
included under the title of the contents page, celebrity couple’s failed relationship. This image
emphasizing the design synergy across the has been created to fit with the heading ‘The
magazine. The stories that featured on the Jordan & Alex Circus’ as the photo looks like one
cover are mentioned first which suggests that that has been taken at a circus. Because of its
these particular stories may be the more entertaining element, the photo isn’t taken
important to the magazine than the others and seriously and readers understand what is meant
they feel that they need to attract attention on by it once they’ve read the box beneath the
them first. picture.
The content of the magazine has been divided The magazine decides to include one of their
into 5 clear sections to make it easier for the smaller stories on the contents page to attract
reader to locate the article they may be looking readers’ attention before they continue reading.
for. The 5 sections have been clearly headed on They decided to include this particular story as
a black banner in white text to stand out from they felt it was important to establish this story at
the page. The layout of the contents is clear the beginning by writing ‘everybody’s talking
and creates an easy way to navigate through about…’ Once they read this, readers will want to
the magazine with the ease of use. The page continue reading the magazine to find out other
number of each feature is in black followed by gossip and stories the magazine has to offer.
the storyline in a red colour and further details Links to the magazine’s Facebook and Twitter page
beneath in a smaller black font. have been included where readers are able to
‘follow’ the magazine and find out more
Sub-images have been edited in Photoshop and information that may not be included in the
included on the page beside their article to magazine. This makes the magazine multi-platform
create more interest for the story and helps in and is an example of cross media convergence,
the creation of the busy and packed page which where they are building an online community.
is a usual feature of gossip magazine.
The date and the website address have been included at the bottom of the
The structure of the contents page is similar to the Q magazine contents page I earlier page where it is the last place readers will look, similar to the Blender
analyzed as they both include a main image in the similar position, and the contents text magazine I analyzed earlier. The website is in the same red colour as the
is fitted around the image in an L shape with the title covering the top part of the page. ‘heat’ title to create continuing colour scheme.