Media contents page analysis

1. Magazine Contents Page
Analysis- Chosen Genre

2. Q
Magazine
• The name of the magazine is in its uniform primary optical position,
which it is in in every Q magazine.
• Statistics such as ‘232 contents’ are used to give indication to the
reader as to exactly how much information there is in the magazine.
• The date is placed in the top left hand corner of the page to allow the
reader to keep up to date with each issue in chronological order.
• The large close up shot of James Blunt captured the readers attention
as it is so ‘in your face’. James Blunt has been used as his persona
and look matches the theme and genre Q magazine used; quirky.
James has been instructed to look directly in the lens of the camera so
it appears he is looking right at the reader prevailing a personal feel
about the magazine, a direct mode of address. It’s also an extremely
simple image which gives the magazine a sophisticated and classy
feel.
• The contents of the magazine is split into basically two separate
categories; ‘Features’ - which are articles and stories that only apply to
this edition of Q magazine and ‘Every Month’- which crops up each
and every month and which uniformly appears in each issue of the
magazine.
• Furthermore, ‘The Lennon Issue’ section has been placed in its own
segregated box and is highlighted above the rest of the articles
because it’s the main story in the magazine and its also what the
editors want the readers to take notice of first.
• The article headline placed at the bottom of the page adds humour to
the magazine, so it appears to be more interesting then the reader first
thought it’d be and it also gives the impression that the articles aren’t
all serious.
• The colour scheme used are subtle and muted tones which are used
to give the magazine a sophisticated feel yet again. However, red is
also used to ‘spice’ the look of the magazine up a bit as well so it not
only doesn’t look too dull but so it also matches the magazines iconic
masthead.

3. NME
Magazine
• The masthead on this contents page takes
centre immediately due to the bold and vibrant
block capital letters used.
• The categories presented on the contents page
are there to give the reader an insight into what
is inside the entire magazine and where to
locate it. This just makes it simpler and easier
for the readers.
• The main image relates to an article featured in
the magazine, and it is also mentioned on the
front cover. The amount of times this particular
article is reinforced indicates to the reader that
it is an important article to read, and that it’ll be
worth their while reading it.
• The colour scheme used on the contents page
stays consistent with the rest of the page and
the cover page in particular. The white
background is successful in not distracting the
readers, so their attention is not taken away
from the articles themselves.
• The sub-lines give the readers more specific
details on the individuals featured in within in
the magazine and within certain articles.

4. Billboard
Magazine
• The title is simply ‘contents page’, it allows the
reader to know exactly what page they're on
and it also gives the magazine structure and
makes it look neat and organised.
• The main image is of a band featured in the
magazine, as the main focus of this particular
issue is on them. The band/artist mentioned
more often then not have a double page
spread or an article about them in the
magazine somewhere.
• Each and every piece of information and article
is listed on the contents page and titled and
underlined neatly so it could clearly be found
by the reader.
• The summarised information accompanies the
pictures which are usually presented on the
contents page somewhere. Provides even
more attention grabbing information for the
readers to see before even getting to the
article, giving them a catchy taster, spurring
them on to read more.
• A Billboard of this weeks music charts is
presented on the left hand third of the page,
and this is a unique feature to ironically
billboard magazine itself.

5. What I will and won’t include in my
magazine..
• Similarly to how Billboard magazine have I intend to use an array of
photos on my contents page to capture my model, in a more relaxed
natural stance and setting.
• Each magazine has boldly situated their title at the top of the page
and I will be doing that on my magazine also to grab the readers
attention.
• I intend to create my own magazines to music charts/hits of the week
list, quite similar to Billboards music chart of the week etc.
• My colour scheme again will be almost the same as NME’s,
however, mine will be more classic and not as vibrant and striking.
• The way in which NME have placed more information and cover
lines on their contents page is something I do not wish to do in my
magazine as it just clutters the pages up in my opinion and makes
them look untidy.

6. What I will and won’t include in my
magazine..
• Similarly to how Billboard magazine have I intend to use an array of
photos on my contents page to capture my model, in a more relaxed
natural stance and setting.
• Each magazine has boldly situated their title at the top of the page
and I will be doing that on my magazine also to grab the readers
attention.
• I intend to create my own magazines to music charts/hits of the week
list, quite similar to Billboards music chart of the week etc.
• My colour scheme again will be almost the same as NME’s,
however, mine will be more classic and not as vibrant and striking.
• The way in which NME have placed more information and cover
lines on their contents page is something I do not wish to do in my
magazine as it just clutters the pages up in my opinion and makes
them look untidy.