Magazine Contents Page Analysis

This is the contents page from a country

magazine called Country Weekly. This contents

page has three pictures featuring the artists

involved in the articles, these images are

showing the three articles that are on the cover

of this magazine issue. The first image at the

top of the right side of the contents page shows

two men and two woman standing in a casual

costume. This image is of the country magazine

called Nash. the second image is on the bottom

left side of the page which is of Jason Aldean, it

is taken from one of his album covers

suggesting that the article will be a review on

his album. The third image is of a male country

singer at a live performance wearing a casual

costume of jeans and t-shirt. This suggests that

this article will be based on his live

performance. Each of the three images have

their relevant page numbers next to them, this

is useful for the target audience as they are able

to match the visual image of the article to the

page of the article. This is effective because it

breaks up the amount of text used within the contents page and also makes it easier for the

audience to understand what the articles are based on.

The colours used for the writing is red for the article titles and black for the page number

and small caption under the article title, this is to keep the colour scheme constant

throughout the magazine. Therefore creating a symbiotic link between the articles. The front

cover will have both red and black in the image or for the text on the cover. The use of red for

the article name is effective because it makes the article names the main feature on the

contents page. This is what I am aiming for in my contents page because I find that this

colour scheme is effective.

The three images are on the left side of the contents page; this is a neat and sophisticated

layout for the contents page which highlights that the audience are mature and older than

children. Each of the images have a number written on or next to, this is so that the readers

know what page each image is linked to and what article the image will be involved in. This is

different and interesting because reading a list can be boring so the images break up the text

and add a visual for the article title.

The overall layout of the contents page is sophisticated and neat. There is a border around

the contents page to keep to the orderly and uncluttered look of the magazine. At the bottom

of the page there is a section on how to subscribe to the magazine and details on customer

services and you are given a paragraph about that. This is written in a small font which does

not attract attention from the contents page.

In the top of the border there is a title to the contents page, the page is called ‘Departments’

this is different to most magazine contents pages as many call the contents page ‘Contents’.

The use of 'Departments' can indicate that magazine is American as the word department

sounds American. The word department is unique to the magazine and could be related to

shopping as shops have departments for different topics. Using departments as the title to

the contents page can suggest the different articles that the magazine has. Also the title is

written in red which matches the article titles; creating the idea that the articles are different

parts to the magazine.

The fonts used for the article names is bolder than the small paragraph explaining the article

to make the audience read the article names and also it shows that the page is focusing on

the article names rather than the content of the articles. Also by the article names being in

red it makes them stand out to the audience when they read the page as the only other colour

used it black therefore making the article names the main focus of the page.

Magazine Contents Page Analysis

This contents page is from Country Weekly

in this issue of the contents page the layout is

the same as other issues. There is a different

colour scheme as this contents page follows a

yellowish orange colour for the article titles

and the title of the contents page. This can be

because of the main artist on the cover of the

magazine cover for this issue; also this colour

is similar to the red used in the previous

contents page. The colour used for the article

titles can symbolise success and wealth as it

looks similar to gold.

The images in this contents page are of

different artists of which two are duet bands.

The image at the top is of Maddie and Tae on

the front cover of Nash which shows a

symbiotic link between the two Country

Weekly contents pages. The second image is

of another album cover suggesting that there

is a review article on the male band album

and the last image is of a male country singer

that suggest it may be an interview article as he is wearing a blazer with dress trousers and a

t-shit.

The colours in the images are different because they include lighter colours and more natural

poses. The layout to where the images are positioned is they are all on the left side to the

contents page with one image near the top half of the page with two images underneath. The

image on top also includes a brief paragraph on the Nash magazine which the image relates

to, this is advertising a magazine that is linked to Country weekly. This is effective however

maybe the image could be of the covering feature article.

The rest of the article names and page numbers are positioned on the right side of the page

in an organised list which some have a small description on the article; written in black and a

small font size. This layout is sophisticated and I will be using this layout for my contents

page, because it shows the audience is older and mature. It also keeps the whole magazine

clear, the readers are able to read all the writing on the page and also find the page number

for the article they wish to read easily as the numbers are written clearly in a bold black

colour.

At the bottom of the page there is a section where the readers can subscribe to the

magazine and there are also details on the customer services for the magazine. This shows

the audience age range because this would not be seen in a magazine for young children.

This is an effective and unique part to the contents page which will stand out, however the

paragraph is written in a small font size which can make it hard for the audience to read and

I do not see it as very necessary.

The title to the contents page is ‘Departments’ which is unique and different, because many

magazine usually just call the contents page something like ‘inside’ or ‘content’ which makes

‘departments’ different.

This contents page follows the same layout showing a symbiosis between the contents pages

and making it familiar to the target audience. Meaning that they will read the magazine

through the brand identity that Country Weekly have created within the magazines. The use

of the gold and yellowish colour could relate to images featuring country artists as they are

usually hazy summer days or on ranches. By Country Weekly promoting another country

magazine it suggests that the country music industry is close and even though the magazines

are in competition with each other they are still trying to help promote the other. Also both

magazines have the same distributor meaning that they are helping their distributor by

promoting each other.

By having the audience subscribe to the magazine they are able to hold loyal readership with

their audience and also provide them with the adequate information that will meet their

every need when it comes to country music. The font used in this contents page is where the

article names are written bolder and in an orange colour suggesting to the audience that they

are important and it also means that they stand out from the small paragraphs explaining

some articles that are written in black.

Magazine Contents Page Analysis

This is a contents page for Country Weekly. The page

numbers are written in black with the titles of articles

in red. All the writing is positioned on the right side of

the page while the majority of the page is taken up by

an image of Glen Campbell, who is the covering artist

and main feature in this issue of Country Weekly.

Also there is a short paragraph underneath each of the

titles to briefly explain what the article is about or who

is involved in the article. The contents page is titles

‘Features’ which is printed at the top centre of the page

in a bright blue, it is also printed in bold capital letters.

At the bottom of the page in the left corner there is the

website of the magazine printed in small black letters.

The image is of Glen Campbell at a gig, he has either

walked on stage and is welcoming the fans before his

performance or he could be thanking the fans after his

performance. This can be seen as behind his you can

see the edge of a guitar and a person’s arm, along with

a microphone. The image can give an insight on what

the article will be about and can also create more interest in the article itself.

In general this contents page is general and simple; it has two main colours featuring. This

contents page shows that the audience is older and will range between 18 – 45 years old. This

can show that country music is aimed at adults and is not usually listened to by children.

Country songs are commonly about a breakup or general life problems or love; many of the

adults who listen to country music are able to relate to the lyrics.

In my magazine I will use a layout similar to this contents page because I think it looks

sophisticated and clear. In my contents page however there will be a different image as my

cover artist is a female and therefore my image will be a female artist.