The general layout of XXL magazine's contents page is simplistic yet effective, containing more information than competitors. It labels the contents page "the A-side" rather than just "contents," making it unique. The features column is on the left with a main image on the right, in this case of rappers 50 Cent and Soulja Boy. Symbols and formatting are used strategically to guide readers' eyes and emphasize important details for the target young, hip-hop audience.

1. My Analysis of
XXL’s Content
Page Masthead
Subhead XXL’s
logo
Page
numbers Sell
Quote
Crosshead
Icon(s)
Symbol

2. General Layout
The General Layout of XXL magazine
is simplistic yet highly effective it also
contains more information and detail
compared to other magazines like Vibe.
Instead of XXL labelling the contents
page ‘contents’ they have decided to
call it ‘the A-side’ which is unique to
them. The content or ‘features’ column
is located on the left side which is easily
accessible to read. The main image is to
the right side , it consists of a mid shoot
of two famous hip-hop artists: 50 cent
and Soulja Boy.

3. The Masthead XXL’s Logo
The name of the magazine is in a
The effect of XXL labelling their
white bold sans serif font in front
contents page ‘the A-side’ gives
of a red background this is known
them an original feel. It is also
as a wob. The XXL logo is
exclusive to their magazine
situated at the end on the right
meaning it enables the reader to
side in a smaller font than the
identify which magazine they are
masthead this may be due to the
reading as it is like a trademark.
fact that because the labelling of
The masthead is in a black sans
the page is ‘the A-side’ instead of
serif bold font and the dash ‘-’ is in
just the typical ‘contents’ the
a red colour which draws the
masthead brands the publication
readers attention to it.
and the XXL logo just reminds the
reader which magazine they are
reading.

4. Subhead
The ‘features’ subhead is another example
of a wob. Instead of using a bold font for
the word ‘features’ to draw the readers
attention XXL have used red brackets.
This adds to XXL’s original feel as it is
unusual to see.
Symbol
The use of the ‘fast-forward’ symbol lets
the reader know that there is more
information further along in the magazine.
As this is a hip-hop magazine the symbol
adds to the contemporary side of things as
it’s a symbol most young people would
recognise. This is highly effective as it a
feature that appeals to the target audience

5. Content Column
The content or ‘features’ list is in one column on the
left side however it has been spilt into two sections
separated by a rectangle shape. This divides the
information and makes it easier for the reader to
read as then there isn’t so much information
crammed into one space making it look aesthetically
pleasing.
Just like Vibes content page the crossheads in
XXL’s contents page are in capital letters and are
in bold font suggesting they are important snippets
of that feature or story which draws the reader into
reading more about them.

6. The cover stories subhead and page numbers are in a
bigger font than the rest. This is so the reader can quickly
access the information they need as majority of the time
the whole point of the consumer buying the magazine is
because they want to read the cover story.
The page numbers are beside them in a bold font too
similarly to Vibe which allows the reader to quickly
identify what page that specific story or feature is on.
Content Column

7. Main Image
The main image are two artists of the hip-
hop industry that young people would
recognise thus appealing to XXL’s target
audience. The sell quote situated over the
right model (Soulja Boy) draws the
readers attention by intriguing them with
an actual quote form the rapper himself
leading them into wanting to find out
more.
Background
For the background of the page they have
used a gradient of a light grey and white
which is not over powering so that the
main image, in this case 50 cent and
Soulja Boy, are the main focus.

8. Colour Scheme
The general colour scheme of XXL’s
contents page is red, white, black and
a light grey. This is a very simple yet
highly effective choice. The effect of
using red on the page is to make a
statement and draw the reader to that
particular part of the page, for
example red is used as the background
colour for the symbol. This choice of
colours also adds to the contemporary
feel of the magazine.