This document analyzes the contents page from various magazines. It discusses the layout, colors, fonts and images used on each contents page and how they appeal to different target audiences. Key points made include the need for contents pages to highlight appealing articles to encourage sales, the use of colors and fonts to draw attention and make information clear and easy to read, and how different styles suit magazines aimed at various age groups. The positioning of logos and dates is also examined.

1. Lady Gaga is seem as a quirky and Even though the masthead is covered by Lady On this cover, there have not
eccentric pop artist; on this cover Gaga’s head, the magazine is still recognisable been many colours used; the
sophisticated clothing is contrasted because the blue within the ‘a’, the red within the only colours which draw the eye
with an ‘outrageous’ purple wig. The ‘b’and the yellow within the ‘d’ are the same on are Lady Gaga’s purple hair and
choice clothing is provocative and also every issue of Billboard. the block colours within the ‘a’
shows a serious side to her, maybe and the ‘d’. Lady Gaga’s
representing that she is serious about clothing, the cover lines and the
music, on the other hand the wig masthead do not stand out from
represents her unique style and the grey background because
attitude. My main cover image will they are similar in colour, for this
need to show the ‘personality’ of the reason the magazine does not
artist I choose, an interesting artist will stand out much from others and
attract more readers so I must make the audience is not encouraged
the artist I choose appeal to my target to read the writing, therefore
audience so that many people want to they are not persuaded to buy it.
read my magazine. However because ‘Billboard’
magazine is very popular and
well known I think that many
The coverlines on this magazine are a people would still buy this
similar colour to the background so magazine.
they do not stand out and are not eye
catching. When I come to designing
The large amount of jewellery on
my magazine I will need to ensure that
this hand makes this area of the
the colours I choose complement one
cover eye catching and therefore
another but also stand out and are
draws the eye to the fact that she
‘easy’ to read/see.
is pulling her clothing away from
her chest. Also, it is possible that
I have drawn a grid on this image, to show the rule Lady Gaga is exposing some of her chest having a lot of jewellery on one
of thirds. This rule has been used to position Lady by pulling her clothing to the side; this is hand and having the other hand
Gaga in the centre of the page. Her face and chest provocative and attracts the male gaze mostly hidden may show that she
are included in the central square; these are both which, in turn, encourages women to has to different ‘sides’ to her; one
body parts which are suggestive (revealing chest buy the magazine because they want to quirky/crazy and one more
and seductive facial expression) so they have appeal to men like Lady Gaga does on serious/seductive.
planned this so that the eye is drawn to this area. this cover.

2. The colour scheme for this magazine is white, This ‘pull-out gift guide’ acts as a lure/hook; it encourages the audience to buy the magazine so
red and black. These colours are eye catching that they can read this section. Unlike a lot of the coverlines, I like where this advert is placed
and compliment each other, however I think because it is in ‘white space’ and because it has a red boarder it stands out. Also the use of a
that a magazine with a different range of picture (of the gifts it has on offer) helps to attract viewers because they may see an item which
contrasting colours, which connote fun and are they wish to buy and therefore they may buy the magazine in order to get the item. There are
more ‘girly’, would appeal more to the target many lures on this cover – Download Taylors new song for free, one magic move to sexy abs.
audience (which seems to be girls aged 10-15).
The colour red connotes passion and danger
and therefore this colour scheme would be This cover image is quite eye catching and
more suitable for a magazine aimed at girls in strong because of the eye contact which
their late teens or early 20’s. Also, in order to makes the audience feel like they have a
make her hair and skin stand out, I think that a connection with her. Taylor swift has her
brighter colour should have been used for the hands in a heart shape; this could be to show
background, e.g. purple, pink or blue, however her fans that she loves and appreciates them
if this had been done then the colours black, red or it could show her love for music. Her make
and white would not have been suitable for this up and hair look very natural which could show
magazine. that she is quite laid back, however when I
take photos for my main cover image I will
make sure that everything is positioned
Cosmo girl is a ‘branch magazine’ from perfectly, for example her necklace which is
Cosmopolitan. The definition of ‘cosmopolitan’ is slightly to the right. I am hoping to use a
‘familiar with many countries’ or ‘sophisticated’; brightly coloured lipstick and possibly eye
they may have used this name to show that the make up as well ad this will make my magazine
magazine is stylish, modern and popular stand out more than this one does.
worldwide. The word ‘girl’ shows that it is aimed
at girls, instead of women, as it contains material
which is more suitable for girls and some of the I have drawn a grid on this image, to show
content from ‘Cosmopolitan’ is not appropriate the rule of thirds. This rule has been used
for girls, therefore it is important for the to position Taylor in the centre of the
magazines to be distinguishable. page; her hands are in the bottom, middle
square and her eyes are in the top, middle
The mode of address is very simple. They have used short This cover line acts are a square. This draws the viewer’s attention
phrases to clearly show what will be in the magazine. Words lure/hook. The main piece of to the eye contact she has and the ‘heart’
such as Love, Glam and jewellery appeal to the target audience information is written in large, position of her hands. However the
(teenage girls) because they are topics which a lot of girls are red text. This draws the eye of coverlines have not been organised in the
interested in reading about. the audience and encourages same way; they overlap over many
people to buy the magazine so different sections which makes the
that they can read about ‘The magazine look busy and they also overlap
The word love, (which is mentioned 3 times on the cover) links to the image a lot, therefore the eye is draw
the heart shape which Taylor’s hands are in. This suggests that love most intriguing people of
2008’. away from Taylor and on to the coverlines.
will be a theme throughout the magazine.

3. The eye is immediately draw to this masthead for many reasons: firstly it is on the left side of
Unlike many pop magazines this cover does not
the page so on a stand it will always be seen, secondly it is bright red and stands out from the
have a huge amount of cover lines; I think that
rest of the cover, thirdly it has a single white ‘Q’ in it instead of a long masthead (the white
this looks good because the page looks
also stands out from the red, and lastly it is the same in every issue so it is well known and
sophisticated and clear whereas many pop
recognisable.
magazine covers look busy and the cover lines
often take the attention away from the main
On this cover Lily Allen is not wearing any image.
clothes on her upper body but has her back
facing towards the audience. This is
On this cover I have drawn a grid to show the
provocative and attracts the male gaze and
rule of thirds. I think that across the top of the
yet it is still sophisticated because all that
magazine the rule of thirds has been used; in
the audience can see is her back; attracting
the first square there is the masthead, in the
the male gaze encourages women to buy the
second is Lily Allen nude upper body and in the
magazine because they want to appeal to
third they have placed most of the coverlines.
men like Lily Allen does on this cover. When
This is an unconventional place to put a block
somebody in the main cover image has their
of cover lines because they are usually down
back towards the audience I would worry
the left hand side so that they can be seen
that they may not gain strong eye contact
when the magazine is in a stand, however I
with the audience and therefore the
think that on this cover placing the cover lines
audience would not be drawn to the
here looks good and appeals to the audience
magazine and they may not feel and
because it fits with the rule of thirds and the
connection with her; on this cover I feel that
different sized fonts draw the attention to the
her eyes do not stand out enough to grab
key words.
peoples attention, so if I was to use the pose
that Lily Allen is in then I would highlight the
eyes with bright make-up and I would Although the genre of this magazine is not pop,
ensure that the models hair was away from I have decided to deconstruct it because it has
their eyes so that they are not hidden. Lily Allen on it and in my opinion her music is
pop. I have also chosen to deconstruct this
The word ‘WICKED’ on this cover has cover because ‘Q’ seems to feature many
ambiguous meanings; it could mean ‘cool’ different genres, including pop, however it may
or ‘evil’ or it could have a sexual meaning, On this cover animals have been used to reflect not fit to the stereo typical pop look and when I
this tells the readers that in this magazine Lilly’s personality and attitude; they are dark in come to create my magazine I want to look
there will be some information about her colour which connotes mystery and danger but more mature and be for a slightly older
life and they can use it to be more like her. also the phrase ‘sexy beast’ has been used to audience than a lot of pop magazines therefore
It has been repeated twice and is in bright show that these animals are not only dangerous I think that the simple and ‘classic’ look of ‘Q’
red capitals which is eye catching and but are also seen as graceful and the use of these has some of the qualities I hope my magazine
connotes passion and danger. big cats makes Lily seem even more provocative. will have.

4. The word ‘contents’ is written in the If a magazine is not in a plastic wallet then people who are interested in buying the
same way in every issue of Vibe magazine may look to the contents page to see in more detail what will be included
magazine, this makes it recognisable, in the magazine, therefore it is essential that the pages listed are appealing and
however this is not essential because popular with the target audience. This will encourage people to buy the magazine
a magazine show be recognisable because they will want to read about the things on the contents page and when
from the masthead and the style of looking through the magazine to find these, other articles may catch their eye.
the cover as the front cover is what
people see on the stand and Despite the fact that this is a contents
therefore the job of the front cover page, it does not have much writing; I
is to draw people in, whereas the job think that this may be because they in
of the contents page is to give details have not listed all the articles. Instead
of what articles will be in the they have picked out the main topics
magazine. covered in the magazine and have
written small amount of detail about
The main image in the page seems to them. The font is small and is a similar
have been taken in order to fit colour to the background so it does not
around the text. Her position is stand out or grab peoples attention;
provocative; therefore attracting the the use of a ‘fancy’/’swirly’ font , for
male gaze and inspiring female the headings, appeals to females and
readers to want her figure. The does stand out from the background
clothing she is wearing shows a lot of and the rest of the text, however
flesh which also attracts the male because it is black (the same colour as
gaze and the heels are both ‘sexy the rest of the text and similar the
and sophisticated’. I think that she background colour) it is not eye
has been made to look glamorous so catching, therefore this magazine is
that women will want to be like her suitable for an older/ more mature
and read about her. audience.
The colour scheme for this contents page (from a vibe magazine) is mainly black, grey and white; these colours connote
sophistication and also mystery, using these colours may encourage women to want these qualities and makes the magazine
more ‘stylish’. The colours used for the contents page do not need to be brightly coloured and eye catching; this one has
chosen a more sophisticated colour pallet which appeals to a slightly older audience than most pop music magazines,
however many magazines still choose to have bright colours because they connote fun and excitement.

5. The artist on this contents page from ‘Q’ The ‘Q’ logo has been placed in the top left hand corner of the page, this is in some
magazine seems to have been styled to ways un-needed however it may remind people which magazine they are reading or if
look as though he has no been styled, he this page is separated from the magazine then a reader would know which magazine it
looks untidy and casual because he has came from, therefore if this page was being read by somebody who had not read ‘Q’
not shaved and his hair has not been magazine before then they may become interested in buying it in the future.
styled. His eye contact helps to make the
reader feel that they have a connection The date has been written in quite a
to him and therefore they may want to large font at the top of this contents
read on or go straight to the article page, this is useful because it makes it
about him. clear when the magazine was made and
therefore readers will always know
In the bottom right hand corner there is whether the information is up to date.
a bright red arrow; this fits with the
colour scheme, however because the The fonts on this page are simple and are
back ground is his skin the arrow still all quite similar, this helps to make the
stands out. This arrow seems to have page clear and easy to understand
been placed here to tell the reader to however I feel that this simplicity does
turn the page and continue reading, not make key articles stand out; for my
however if the magazine has already magazine I aim to stick to a simple colour
been purchased then this is not needed scheme but I also wish to use a bright
because the reader will naturally colour and some different font styles and
continue reading; if they are previewing sizes to make the best
the magazine this may imply that there is articles/advertisements stand out so that
interesting info on the next page. people will want to read my magazine
The majority of this page (from ‘Q’ magazine) is taken up by the main image, there is a small column of text down the left had side
which, although it is the key information on the page, only fills about a third of the page. The layout is clear and simple; this style
makes it easy to navigate not only the contents page but also throughout the rest of the magazine because in order for the reader to
be able to find the correct page it must be clear which article is on which page. One way that they have achieved a simplistic look for
this page is the use of simple colours – white, black and red. These have been used in an organized way so that all the page numbers
are written in red and all the detailing is written in black; the red stands out from the rest of the writing and therefore the reader is
encouraged to read the page numbers first. If many different colours had been used then the page may have been busy therefore
making it difficult to read/understand.

6. Although this is not a pop magazine, I The black boxes stand out from the pink background without making the page look too
have decided to analyse it because this busy, therefore I think that this was a suitable choice of colour, also the use of pink and
page seems to be related to pop and it white writing stands out from the black boxes and still fits in with the colour scheme.
looks like a page from a pop magazine. This makes the magazine seem organized but also shows that it is for a target audience
The main aspect which is used in many of about 12 – 18. The choice of font is simple which makes it clear and easy to read, but
pop magazines is the bright they have still made important information stand out by the use of colour and font size.
colours, mainly pink in this issue, which
are eye catching and connote fun and The use of shapes on this page is
beauty. I aim to use pink in my magazine particularly eye catching and ‘fun’; in
however I feel that a more minimalistic many pop magazines, in my opinion,
colour should be used for the too many shapes are used on one
background and brighter colours should page so they all clash and none of
be used for writing or shapes in order to them stand out; they just make the
draw attention to the information. page look busy and unorganized.
However on this page only a small
At the bottom of this page there is a amount have been used and they all fit
‘lure/hook’ which is a voucher for “£2 with the colour scheme so that words
OFF”, this draws people in who wish to such as ‘CLUB NME’ and the number 1
go to the event advertised and will also stand out from the white background.
encourage other reader to go and In my magazine I will use some shapes
therefore spend money on drink, etc in order to draw attention to the
whilst they are there; this will provide information included however, I want
more money for the magazine. They my magazine to stand out and be
have made this ‘lure’ stand out by using suitable for a target audience between
a contrasting colour (yellow) for the the range of mid-teens and early 20’s,
corner of the voucher and the main therefore I will ensure it does not look
writing on it. too busy or colourful. Even though
On this page the main image is not of the main person featured in the magazine; it is of the bright colours are eye catching, I think
‘group’ who are number one on this magazines list of “The hottest tunes”, the use of this that if a magazine uses to many
image will draw the attention immediately to this group and will therefore encourage the colours then it can have to opposite
reader to read the rest of the list and possibly buy/listen to one of the songs. It also shows affect to what was wanted and people
readers, who have not heard of the group, what they look like and gives them an idea of the will be put off, so keeping to a simple
style of the group. colour palette is vital.

7. Even though this double page I think that using these pictures of her in different positions across the top is a very original
spread does not have a title, I think and eye catching idea, even though the figures are in black and white they still draw the eye.
that it does not need one because They show the R&B artist in different ‘moods’ and therefore the reader may feel that they
the blue writing in the ‘introduction’ have an understanding of her life and can make a connection with her, this is also supported
shows that the article will be about by the strong eye contact she is giving, although the picture is a ‘long shot’ her eyes have
Solange Knowles and therefore a dark makeup on so the audience may still notice them and feel a connection.
title is not needed; the reader has
been given all the information they
The layout of the page is quite
need to know. Also the blue writing
original; I have not seen many
draws the eye, so a title is not
magazines laid out in this way
needed to do this. The fact that she
– with images across the top
is Beyoncee’s sister may encourage
third and text across the
people to read this article.
bottom two thirds. This makes
Although the writing on this double the magazine stand out; if a
page spread is not equally spread person is previewing the
over the two pages, I think that the magazine they are likely to
pages look well organised and turn to the centre pages in
balanced. The first page has the order to see if the content
majority of the writing on it and the appeals to them therefore it is
second only has one still important that the double
column, however there has been an page spread is interesting and
key quote put in bold on the right eye catching.
hand page it helps to create
balance.
The red dress she is wearing is short and
The use of black text ensures that these pages are clear and understandable and may therefore attract the male gaze, it is
also allows for bright colours to be used around it in order to make these parts also quite feminine and the bright red
stand out from the white background and black text. I think that the simple colour connotes passion, love, danger and heat,
palette will appeal to most female readers and although blue and red are not attracting the male gaze through the dress
coordinated, they do not clash with one another on these pages because they have will encourage women to buy clothes from
only been used in small amounts. The blue writing in the introduction to the text this magazine (if they sell them) or may
makes her name stand out and therefore, it is one of the first parts that people will encourage them to want to be like this
look at. woman.

8. Because of the small text it is The clothing which this group is wearing is quite old fashioned, but it seems to have a young
not clear what the rhetorical twist to it. This could be because the group or the magazine or anybody related to the group may
question is about however the want to bring this sort of clothing back into fashion. Another explanation for the clothing choice
use of a rhetorical question could be that the Black Eyed Peas are a unique and ‘cool’ and and they want to express this
“Will he, Won’t he?” creates through the clothes they wear. The clothing is the main colour within this double page spread
suspense and excitement, this because the writing is black and the background it white. Also because the picture covers a lot of
makes people want to read the two pages, there is not much room for other colour because this would draw the attention
the magazine to find out more away from the clothing which they are obviously trying to promote.
information about this choice
which will be made. Also, Will.I.Am is the only
using rhetorical questions member of the band who
allows the reader to believe stands out, this is because
that they are involved in his the other members have
life; they may feel as though been faded, using computer
the decision is not only technology, so that they do
important to Will.I.Am but not take the readers
also themselves as well. attention away from
Will.I.Am, this has been
The same colours from the done because this article is
clothing have been used for mostly about Will.I.Am; it is
the key phrase “Will possible that the only
he, Won’t”, this helps to make reason the group are posing
The different positions of the with him is so that they are
the magazine look well
members of the group shows each more easy to recognise
planned and connects all the
of their personalities, this makes the when they are together
different aspects. These
reader feel a connection with them, than Will.I.Am is when he
colours, gold and
but the sunglasses stop us from poses as a solo artist.
silver, connote richness and
having eye contact with Will.I.Am.
popularity.
The phrase “Will he, won’t he” seems to be not The arrows at the beginning of the text encourage the reader to start reading, this
only a rhetorical question, but also a play on is the only thing which really draws attention to the text. It does not contain much
words - his name is WILL.i.am – they have used colour; the only small change in colour is used for a quote; for this the background
the beginning of his name to create a phrase becomes black and the writing becomes white, this does draw the eye but only
which relates to him in more than one way. after the reader has looked at the picture and the rhetorical question.

9. This article is not from a pop Lily Stands out in this article because she covers the majority of a page and is wearing red
magazine, however I have decided which is only used for a couple of words on this double page spread, red would usually
to deconstruct it because Lily Allen connote passion, danger and heat however on these pages I think that is mainly connotes
is a Pop singer and yet this article danger and aggression; her facial expression and clothing support the idea that she is not
look very different to how I imagine feeling very happy, she may be finding her life stressful because of the newspaper (which
my/ most pop magazine double links back to the quote made of cuttings) and therefore she may be feeling angry or
page spreads would look like. The aggressive. These are all shown through the Gothic style, clothes, coloured writing.
main reason that this article does
not seem to be ‘pop’ is because of Another reason why this magazine does
the colour scheme; the blacks and not seem to be pop because of Lily
reds connote danger, seriousness Allen’s dark hair and make-up; this style
and mystery, these are not themes makes her seem Gothic and therefore
which most pop magazines wish to she does not appeal to my target
show. audience when she is styled in this
way, however on the cover of ‘Q’ (one
of my other deconstructions) she does
There is not a large amount of text
not look very Gothic even though there
on this page (it is possible that it
is a lot of black; I think that this is
continues onto further pages); the is
because she is in a ‘sweet’/’innocent’
obvious because it is the opposite
position and her facial expression
colour to the white background,
supports this and therefore she does
however it is not eye catching
not look like she has a sad/bad attitude
because it is all one small font and
unlike on this double page spread.
the only words which stand out are
her name which are written in red, There are many striking things about this double page spread; the first thing which
the quote and the clothes take the draws the eye is the quote which seems to be made out of newspaper cuttings, this
attention away from the writing so may suggest that she has been in the news so much that she feels that they lie about
reading the full article is actually her and therefore she has written her opinion in the style of a news paper heading so
one of the last things the reader that she may finally get her true opinion ‘in the news’. By putting Lily Allen's opinion in
does. very large text, the reader immediately feels the need to read this and this may lead to
them agreeing with her and feeling sorry for her or, on the other hand, they may agree
with “people” and think that she is an attention seeker, if they feel sorry for her or like
her then they may feel that they know her/about her life because in some ways they
know how she feels because in this article she expresses herself.