Magazine contents analysis

QThis is a contents page for Q magazine, it is slightly messy compared to the right hand side, that is slightly tidier and easier to understand. the contents is filled with many pictures, each holding onto its own page number, this is effective as it helps the person reading find the article relating to the picture quicker than having to look through all the captions that are separate from the images. However, it is made slightly ineffective as if the person reading doesn’t recognise the celebrity, then they will most likely not turn to the page. The mast head is overlapped by a picture of the front of the magazine, this is so that the reader can easily glance up to see what it was that attracted them to go as far as this page. It also helps the reader to recall what the main article was about so that the band doesn’t have to keep having there image posted everywhere. At the bottom of the page is a Q Review; this is headed in italics and then written in a different colour. This makes the article stand out more than the others as it is one that the publishers want read, this would probably be because it was the most expensive article to write about or maybe because it’s the article referring to the main image on the front of the magazine. The double page spread out is print screened onto the page, this is effective as it let's the reader see what they must prepare for when they go to read the article. Below that is an image that is set out similar to the evolution theory poster, this is effective as today's world is scientific and this will appeal to “up to date” people. It also sends out a humorous message, which is what people like to see in magazines.

QThis contents page from Q is quite simple, this is as it includes minimum amount of pictures, and only the basic information. they use only basic colours in the contents and simple images, this makes the page less overpowering and easier to spot what you are looking for. Its also added the page numbers to the pictures so that when a reader see’s the picture of the person they want to read about, they know straight away where to find them. However, it doesn’t have a caption, so people who don’t recognise the person in the image will not really relate much to the article, but may however turn to that page out of curiosity. The use of the red bar underneath the headings of each caption and page title is effective as it helps to separate them and make them easier to understand and read. The main article is also made clear as it has its own small picture to accompany it, and the font is in a different colour. This effective as it is the only cover line in red making it draw attention to itself and making the reader want more.

Rock SoundThe first thing that you notice when looking at this contents page is the image, it is of a band, supposedly of all time low, looking as if to say “hello” or “welcome”. You are then attracted to the heading overlapping the picture, this gives us the name of the band and a small clip of their interview to get us wanting more, however they don’t tell us what page the interview is on. This however is then redeemed, as the sky line of the picture is filled with the captions and titles of the pages. Each of the heading to the pages is in a different font to the caption, this is effective as it helps to separate them and make them easier to read. The page number next to the heading is also a different colour, this helps as it makes it easier to distinguish the page from the title. Each of the headings is the name of a band or a song, which is effective as fans of the music will turn to the page of their favourite. It is also easy to understand what is on what page as they are listed in order and aren’t all over the page. The issue number is also listed on the bottom which is effective as it helps us to keep in mind that everything in the magazine is up to date. We are also attracted by the masthead, which says “main features”, this is effective as it is basically telling you that this is the stuff that you want to know, and that the other stuff is a mystery. This should get the readers reading through every page to see what they are missing from the contents, and what they want from it as well.