This document analyzes the design balance, imagery, design principles, and house style used in a magazine contents page layout. It finds that the layout shows an imbalance between text and images with more pictures and less text. The main image of Cheryl Cole is placed off-center to the right, with empty space leading to the middle, and could be better centered. The images are striking and help set the tone for the magazine's content. The layout follows design principles to guide the eye to features and uses consistent stylistic elements like font and color that identify it as from the magazine Q.

1. Design balance:- This layout shows an unbalance
between text and imagery as there is one main image,
two secondary images whilst there is only a small
portion of text on the left side. Although there is a clear
main image, it seems like the main image is placed off
to the right of the page as in the image there is some
dead space leading towards the centre of the page. On
one of the secondary images, there is a piece of text
which draws you in by the title, the way it is placed on
the image and the way a mixture of black and white is
used to create an impact. There would be more of a
balance if the main focus of the picture, Cheryl Cole,
was placed directly in the middle, disregarding the dead
space therefore allowing more text and to be centred.
Imagery:- The main image is striking as the use of
black and grey but also the ripped leather leggings and
spikes worn by the model creates an impression of the
contents within the magazine. It seems to be placed
towards the right, with some dead space towards the
middle but allowing space for the page number of this
feature to be placed near the picture. The two
secondary images are placed within the primary optical
area to attract attention and guide the audience to the
features, whilst the other is placed in the weak fallow
area and the image attracts attention because of the
position of the model which is rather abstract. These
images also help to create an impression of the content.
Design principles:- The Guttenberg design principle
may have been considered when designing this
contents page as all the features and a secondary
image are placed in the primary optical area meaning
that the picture will then lead to audience to look at the
features. The masthead is placed in the primary optical
area, like with all Q magazines making it simple for the
audience to recognise and familiarise themselves with
the layout of Q magazine. The main image is a long
shot and is positioned in the strong fallow area and the
terminal area and takes up most space on the page.
The second image that is most prominent is placed in
the weak fallow area and fills space with important
information about that feature.
House style:- The house style of a music magazine,
especially on the front cover and contents page is rather
important as the audience will be able to associate the
fonts with a particular magazine. The magazine’s
masthead is placed in the top right hand corner which is
instantly associated with Q magazine as the masthead
is also placed in the primary optical area on the front
page. The colours that are used throughout the
magazine contrast with each other and the white
especially stands out against the red background. The
main features are displayed on the left side and the
main title is in a bold and striking font, with all letters in
bold which attracts the audience’s attention, whilst the
writing underneath is in a smaller writing. Additionally,
the page numbers of the features are placed relatively
close to the title or the picture which allows easy access
for the audience.