This document analyzes the layout and design features of contents pages from three different magazines: NME, Vibe, and Billboard. The analysis examines visual elements like mastheads, images, headings, fonts, and page sections. It notes how these elements are used to attract readers' attention, convey information efficiently, and relate to the magazines' purposes and target audiences. Key aspects like color schemes, placement of images and text, and level of detail vs simplicity are evaluated. The document provides a close visual analysis of how contents pages from different magazines employ design to effectively summarize and entice readers about the issues' content.

1. Oksana Torhan

2. Contents page NME (SEPT 2009) ANALYSIS
BANNER AT TOP
NME masthead
same colour code DATE
as font. Very good colour
Main image is related code throughout –
to the main purpose of only black, white and
the magazine. red.
Bands are listed in SUB HEADING
red with page BLOCKED OUT INTO
number in black – BLACK SUB SECTIONS.
stands out. BRIEF HEADING
Image is edited so it +SUMMARY OF CONTENT
looks like a WITH PAGE NUMBER IN
photograph. This is RED.
appropriate because PREVIOUS/FUTURE
it makes it look more EDITIONS OF NME
casual. ARE SHOWN WITH
DETAILS OF
Editors introduction to WEBSITE/PHONE
contents of NUMBER ETC.
magazine, to make
the reader feel more These things at the corner are meant to make this part of the page
welcome to the stand out from the rest and its meant to make it look more
magazine. interesting and funky.

3. ANALYSIS OF LAYOUT/DESIGN FEATURES OF
CONTENTS PAGE
MASTHEAD AND WORD CONTENTS –BOLD AT TOP
WITH DATE/ISSUE NUMBER. The title ‘contents always
has to be visible on the contents page.
The date line is right
under the main title
so that the reader
The main image is immediately knows.
obviously very related to There are many
the music industry and it words and number
is in the very center so sin this column and it
looks very detailed
that this would be the first but actually it is the
thing the reader looks at. most important thing
on this page.
This article had to be
directly under the image
as it is linked directly to The magazine logo is
featured at the left
the image and with out it, top corner clearly.
it would look less
The image has been
attractive and interesting. edited into the form
of a photograph.
This corner is less
important so it is
used to advertise
subscriptions.

4. ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS PAGE 2 - VIBE
The first letter of the
magazine name is
The word contents is
presented big and
presented big and
takes up half of the
bold, it is clear to see
page although it
that it is a contents
blonds in with the
page, it is also split
background.
into three lines to fit
more on a page and
make it as large as
possible with out
going over the top.
Some people might
question the fact
why the “Fashion”
part takes so much
space on the
contents page of a
music magazine
and it is not very
music related.

5. ANALYSIS OF LAYOUT CONTENTS • The white colour of the
PAGE 2
• There is a white outline of the masthead contrasts with
magazines name – “V” which links the dark background; this
to the main image which takes up was definitely done to
the whole page and the models engage the audiences
legs are positioned in the shape of attention.
a V, which further relates to the • The contents list is split into
magazine. two sections, features and
• The lighting on the main image is fashion with two headings.
front lighting this is because it shows This may be because it
the model in a clearer way and it makes it less confusing for
makes the model look like she’s the reader and possibly
glowing as the colour around the because some people
glowing area shows the dark clear might be particularly
contrast of colours. interested in the fashion part
• She is lying on the floor with her legs and the features part.
up so her body language is rather Underneath the two
sexy and promiscuous and she is headings there are the
looking at the us the readers to page numbers with sub
make it feel more personal. headings then information
• Her body language is also very about the subject. This gives
calm and confident, which might the reader pre-information
mean that she knows she's good about the features.
looking so this might inspire other • In the text there are a lot of
women who read this magazine words that have been
therefore they will read about her. highlighted in bold; they are
• The model is wearing silver and key words and then the
gold which could suggest that she reader would read would
is wealthy and classy, maybe this read the key words and it
means the magazine is classy and would give them a rough
the model just reflects it. idea on what the article is
about.

6. ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS PAGE 3
At the top left The main
hand corner it headings “The
states in a big Latin Kings, Bklyn
font “NO 1 ON Rocks and Live
THE CHARTS” From Puerto Rico”
which makes are all very music
the reader more related and only
eager to read certain people
this magazine as will know what it is
it is the “No1” – about.
you cant get
any better than The events are
this. all focused on
Country and
The top albums
Latin music
and songs are
which suggests
all sorted out
this magazine
together in
might not be for
columns.
all music lovers.

7. Analysis of layout contents page 3
- This section of the contents
- The title of the page is written in
page breaks usual conventions.
capital letters in a font that looks
This is something only the
strong and solid. It contrasts
Billboard magazine offers, but it
against the white background
reflects the fact that billboard is
and is positioned at the top of the
a music magazine. The font is
page above anything else –
consistent with the rest if the rest,
stands out.
however the colour isn’t. This
- It is unusual to have the issue
makes this third of the contents
number on the contents page as
page stand out as well as
the majority of all magazines have
making the whole interesting
it on the front cover.
and attention catching.
- Too much text on a page might
- The page is divided into blocks,
result in discouraging the reader,
segregated into sections with
to avoid this they have used
similar articles together. This
pictures that relate to the article
makes it easier for the reader,
along with the page numbers that
and also the subtitles make it
tell you where you can find the
easier to find what you are
article. This makes the more
looking for. All the music articles
important articles easier to find.
are in one place and you don’t
- The images on the contents
have to read the entire page to
page show people of different
find out where a particular
ages, genders, and races. This
article is. This makes navigating
makes the reader feel like this
through the magazine faster and
magazine is for everyone and it
easier.
makes them feel like they belong –
- The dominating colours are:
diversity.
white, black, blue and grey; - The bottom part of the - Page numbers
- To break up the space they
which are good colours because magazine advertises make it easier for
have inserted a picture here,
both sexes like it. By making their what other features are the reader to
which is the main image and it
contents page appeal to a large available online and as navigate and
usually relates to the front cover. It
range of people the number of well as the events the find what they
breaks up the text and helps to
consumers of this magazine will magazine is are looking for in
keep the readers interested.
increase. participating in. the magazine.