This document provides an in-depth analysis of the contents page layout of XXL Magazine. It analyzes various design elements including the prominent image of Dr. Dre, the simplistic layout with features listed on the right side, use of typography and color scheme to draw attention to important sections. Overall, the document examines how XXL Magazine uses graphic design conventions effectively to engage readers and communicate its brand identity as an exclusive hip-hop publication.

1. Contents Page Analysis: Dr. Dre XXL MagazineMain Image: The main image shows Dr. Dre standingon the left hand
sideof the page with his thumbs placed into his pockets,wearing all
black.There is a dull background of a grey colour with his shadow
behind him. The camera is at a low angle.This magazine consists of
well respected artistand producer Dr. Dre most well known for being
a member in the hip-hop music group NWA becauseof this itwill
guarantee sales due to his status in the hip-hop industry.The image
of the artistdominates the whole page expressinghis relevanceand
importance rather than showingmany small pictures on the contents
page that symbolises whatwill befeatured likemost music
magazines;this shows how exclusivethe XXL magazineis,and that it
delivers the hip-hop community’s most successful artistswho branch
into other professions such as Dr.Dre being a successful producer
and business man producingmusic for hip-hop legends and creating
his own music label aftermath. The way Dr. Dre’s posture and body
languageis made to seem very calmand laid back butalso confident
and dominant this can be shown through camera angle as well.
Layout: XXL uses simplisticlayoutthatis still effectivethat contains more
information than other hip-hop magazines such as vibe and rivals the
source. The features are listed on the right hand sideof the page and takes
up most of the page. They do this so as soon as the readership opens the
page they would see what else is in the magazine other than the exclusive
story of the main artist,this allowsthe reader to feel likethey aregetting
their money’s worth by featuringmore information that could interest
them. Only the main stories they think will attractthe customer into
buyingwill be put on the features list. The layoutused in this magazine
moves chronologically down on the right hand sideusingsubheadings and
numbers to directthe readership on where to go firstas the top
subheadingis the most important and is a cover story which is why the text
has more dominanceover the page than the other text which is placed on
the top righthand corner and labelled in red ‘cover story’ and the number
is much bigger than the other numbers on the contents page and finally
there is a thick black linethat separates this information fromthe rest of
the contents information signifyingits exclusiveness.
Camera Angle/Lighting: the camera angle is shown at a low anglewith
Dr. Dre standingover the readership as a superior and the lightingused is
a reflected lightinghavinga shadowin the background that is bigger than
Dr. Dre himself which is usually a convention in horror films on this
lightingand camera position this suggests that in the music industry we
should be afraid of this figure, the shadowbehind himcould represent
what he lives behind in the industry and his reputation is way bigger than
him and he will beknown and respected for it and what he lives behind,
reason being why the camera angleplaces himso high and his shadow
even bigger. Itcan also representhis unseen dark pastbehind him which
is in facthis shadow. The shadowdoesn’ttake anyattentionaway
fromthe artistinsteaditlooksinrelationto him.
Colour Scheme: the colour scheme consists of dark colours of black,
grey, white and red. This is very simplebut effective through
symbiotic link.The effect of usingred on the page is to make a
statement and draw the reader to that particularpartof the page
and also becauseitis used on the masthead. Dr. Dre is known for
wearing allotof dark and simpleclothingwhich doesn’t give away
his personality even though dark represents death and danger we
know dr.dre comes from Compton which shows that however he
remains a very civilised and ‘normal’person which is shown through
the iconography of his wedding ringwhich he’s been married for
over 15 years,this shows his normal lifestyle,values and beliefs
Symbol: The use of the ‘fast-forward’symbol lets
the reader know that there is more information
further alongin the magazine. As this is a hip-
hop magazine the symbol adds to the
contemporary sideof things as it’s a symbol
most young people would recognisein music
and films which is seen as ‘cool’or ‘trendy’. This
is highly effective as itis a feature that appeals
to the young target audience.

2. Content Column: The content or ‘features’ listis on one column on the right
hand sidehowever ithas been splitinto two sections separated by a black
rectangle shape.This divides the information and makes it easier for the
readership to read as then there isn’tso much information crammed into one
spacemakingit look aesthetically pleasing.Justlike vibecontent page the
crossheads in XXL’s contents page are in capital letters and arein bold font
suggestingthey areimportant snippets of that feature or story which draws the
readership readingmore about them. The cover stories subhead and page
numbers are in a bigger font that the rest. This is so the readership can quickly
access the information they need as majority of the time the whole point of the
readership buyingthe magazine is becausethey want to read the cover story.
The page numbers arebeside them in a bold font too similarly to vibe magazine
which allows the readership to quickly identify whatpage that specific story or
feature is on.
Costume: Dr. Dre’s costume is a very mature, plain and simple
one reason is becauseDr.dre is a much respected icon in the
hip-hop industry which means he doesn’t need to wear the
typical hip-hop gear to show what genre he belongs to or what
he represents. In general, Dr. Dre has been very easy on his
appearanceover his career and not been very flashy showing
that he is an ordinary person from the ‘hood’ but with talent. In
evidence to this it is stated in the quote on the left hand side
placed near his head as itsays ‘I do this becauseI likemaking
records that’s it’. Implyingthat is the reason why he went so far
in his music career becausehe never did itfor anythingbut for
the love of the music which explains his simplicity in costume
and his appearancein front of the public eye.
Heading: The heading for this contents page is positioned centrally atthe
top of the page and font wise itis the biggest on the page. Having the
masthead font the biggeston the page draws the attention of the
readership as itis the firstthingthey see. The effect of XXL labellingtheir
contents page ‘the A-side’ gives them an original and uniquefeel which will
gain the readerships respectand give the magazine street creditability
which is a convention of the hip-hop culture. It is also exclusiveto their
magazine meaning itenables the readership to identify which magazine
they are readingas itis likea trademark, this is known as a uniqueselling
point as itdiffers and gives them a competitive edge over their competitors.
The masthead is in black sansserif bold font and the dash ‘-‘is in a red
colour which draws the readerships attention to it. It also shows symbiotic
link between the colours used on the front cover and the rest of the
magazine, this shows strong brand identity which the readership will
recognise.
Subhead: The ‘features’ subhead is another example of a wob.
Instead of usinga bold font for the word ‘features’ to draw the
reader’s attention XXL have used red brackets.This adds to
XXL’s original and uniquefeel as itis unusual to see. It also has a
symbiotic link between the XXL’s masthead colour scheme this
makes the readership well awareof the brand identity.
XXL’s Logo: The name of the magazine is in a white bold sans
serif font in front of a red background this is known as a wob-
white text on a black or other coloured background. The XXL
logo is situated at the end on the rightsidein a smaller font
than the masthead this may be due to the factthat becausethe
labellingof the page is ‘the A-side’ instead of justthe typical
‘contents’ the masthead brands the publication and the XXL
logo justreminds the readership which magazinethey are
reading as they have a lot of magazines they brand.