This document compares and contrasts the design styles of two music magazine contents pages: Q magazine and Kerrang magazine. Both magazines use a two-column layout with images of artists to attract readers. However, they differ in their color schemes, imagery, and target audiences. Q magazine uses a sophisticated black, red, and white scheme aimed at older readers, while Kerrang uses a bolder black and yellow for younger readers. Overall, the contents pages are similarly structured but tailored to their distinct audiences.

1. Design Balance
In terms of design balance it is formally balanced in
House Style
mass and is light due to the main image being very
The creators of Q magazine have chosen to use a
large and the text being set out in a column next to it
Red, Black and white colour scheme which is
which isn’t too heavy and does not look overcrowding,
consistent through all Q magazine issues and also
therefore creating a more professional look. Also at
is the same colour as the Q magazine logo,
the bottom of the page there is a box which is well
therefore making it recognisable to fans of this
balanced as it contains an image which takes up the
magazine. The colours used look professional and
same amount of space as the two columns of text
black has a connotation of sophistication,
relating to it. Therefore also adding to the professional
therefore it anchors the main target audience for
and sophisticated layout of the magazine which helps
this magazine which would be a more mature
appeal to the target audience of 20+
audience say aged 20+
Gold has also been used “oasis special” therefore
giving the impression that this particular article is Design Symmetry
important because gold has the connotation of I think this contents page is horizontally balanced,
luxury and being precious.The font used is bold therefore creating a professional look. Looking at the
and easy to read, it is also consistent through all Q composition of the page it is clearly divided into two
magazines therefore adding to the recognisable columns creating structure and organisation therefore
layout. making it easier to communicate with the reader.
Imagery Rule of Thirds and Gutenberg
In the main image it shows an indie rock band, In terms of the rule of thirds within the layout,
stood on a hill therefore it will attract the bands the large image of the Courteeners would sit on
fans to purchase the magazine. The way the artists intersecting lines therefore making this the main
are positioned in the image is typical of that of a
point of interest, grabbing the audience’s
band, as they are all stood close together to show
that they are all a unit. A low angle shot has been
attention and attracting them to read the article
used, therefore giving the band a sense of about them. In terms of the Gutenberg design
authority, emphasizing that they are the most when skimming the page, the audience will firstly
important part of the image. In the image low key notice the masthead and the main features
lighting has been used in the background and high placed in the primary optical area therefore
key lighting in the foreground, therefore creating a emphasising the main features of this magazine.
contrast and making the band stand out to the They will then skim to the main image of the
audience. Courteeners in the strong fallow area, then to the
Direct mode of address has been used in both the every month column in the weak fallow area and
main image and smaller image, therefore making
lastly the review section in the terminal area.
the audience feel more involved. Also in the
smaller image nick cave is wearing a suit which
connotes authority and sophistication, therefore
adding to the sophisticated layout of this page

2. House Style Design Balance
This contents page has been constructed In terms of design balance, this contents
using a black and yellow which is consistent page is obviously image heavy however this
through all kerrang magazine issues, works effectively due to the images allowing
therefore making it recognisable to the fans the reader too easily locate the article of the
of the magazine. The yellow is bold and bands they are interested in reading about.
therefore contrasts against the black Vertical columns have been used to create a
backgrounds, catching the audience’s eye. more organised layout, therefore making it
Also yellow is a less formal colour, which easier for the audience to read.
anchors the genre of the magazine and also
the target audience which is 16-25 years.
The same font is also used throughout the Design Symmetry
contents page making it consistent, it is also This contents page is clearly divided into
simple and easy readable for the audience. two columns to make create structure and
Also an editor’s message and image of the organisation, therefore making it a lot easier
cover is placed in the primary optical area, to communicate with the reader.
therefore automatically grabbing the
audience’s attention. Rule of Thirds and Gutenberg
In terms of the rule of thirds within the
layout the main image would sit on
Imagery intersecting lines therefore making this the
Various images have been used in this point of interest for the audience, grabbing
contents page. One image is a lot bigger than their attention. In terms of the Gutenberg
the other images, which automatically design when skimming the page, the
catches the audience’s eye, giving the audience will first notice the editor’s
impression that this article is an important message in the primary optical area,
feature. Other smaller images are used therefore making the audience feel more
framing the bigger image which also images involved as if the editor is talking to them
are relating to the articles in the magazine. personally. They will then be drawn to the
The images feature other famous artists, column of articles in the strong fallow area,
therefore attracting there fans to buy the then the band images in the weak fallow
magazine. The images don’t look very area and finally the subscription
professional, therefore this adds to the advertisement in the terminal area.
informal layout, anchoring the genre of this
magazine.

3. Contrast
Both mastheads have been positioned in different areas, In terms of the Gutenberg diagram Q magazine have
positioned it in the primary optical area, therefore when reading the magazine it will be the first thing the reader looks
at, however Kerrang have chosen to position the masthead in the strong fallow area, therefore the reader will firstly
notice the editors message in the optical area before skimming across to the masthead. Both magazines have also used
different fonts and colours, Q magazine has decided to use a block lettered font with binary opposite colours black and
white, therefore connoting sophistication, emphasizing the target audience aged 25+. Whereas Kerrang have chosen
to use a more informal font and use a vibrant yellow that will appeal to their target audience aged 16-25.
In Q magazine I think it
could be labelled Both of these contents
horizontally balanced pages have been
however in Kerrang constructed in a similar
magazine it is clearly way due to the vertical
very image heavy. column like style used.
However both of these Therefore creating
contents page do structure and
contain images of organisation making it
famous artists, easier for the readers to
therefore attracting the find specific articles. It
fans of these bands. also assists towards the
balance of the pages.
Also because of the
composition of both
pages they are both
clearly divided into two
columns.
Both of these magazines have different target audiences, Q magazine is aimed at a more mature audience aged 25+
and is more contemporary whereas Kerrang magazine is aimed at a younger audience aged 16-25. Both these
contents page have been constructed in different ways to appeal to their target audience for example Q magazine
uses a more sophisticated and professional colour scheme of black, red and white, also the binary opposition of
black and white in the masthead connotes sophistication. Whereas Kerrang magazine uses a colour scheme of
black and yellow which creates a kind of grunge look, therefore also anchoring the genre of music in this magazine.