Analysis of Contents Page 1

Q

For the contents of Q magazine the colour theme of red, black and white are carried through keeping the dark, gothic theme. The colours of the contents page create a dramatic and almost show like feel to the contents as the contrast to create the mood.

On the contents pages there are 10 images spaced onto the double page spread with a number layered on top of the corners of the images to indicate which page the image and story that links with the image can be found. The images layer over the top of each other in a ‘scrapbook’ style and fit neatly around the text. The text is in a Cambria font, which is bold for the sub-headings varying in a red or black colour.

The images in the contents pages link with the plug and cover lines that were printed on the front. The front cover of the magazine is re-printed in the contents in a smaller size. There is also another image of Cheryl Cole, which takes up the whole right-side third of the page. Other images include screen captures of articles on a double page spread and photos of features bands. These images represent the type of music that is feature in the magazine and shows the stories that are feature in this months issue.

The people featured in the photos have been styled with a rocky theme that also links with the theme that Cheryl Cole was styled with on the cover. This creates an impression on the reader that clearly shows the gothic and vampire theme that is carried through the magazine.

The sub-headings that are printed on the left-side third and right side third of each page are in bold to catch the reader’s eye and draw them in to that specific page. Underneath each bold sub-heading there is a short summary in black about what’s on the page. The layout has been carefully put together and fits well. Because of the bold headings, the contents page is easy to identify with at a glance and interests the reader straight away. For select pages a small section of each page has been used to promote the page with an image and the summary in a bigger size and typed in red.

The language is short and to the point. The language is also persuasive as it uses phrases such as ‘Access all areas!’ The language also gets the reader involved with the featured stories as the language is in a conversational tone.

Overall I think the contents page double spread is effective due to the colours and the theme of the magazine. The sub-headings give a clear indication of what is featured in the magazine. It’s designed to appeal to a younger audience that buy the magazine and represents their interests by having stories in the magazine that appeal to the average reader. Younger readers are address by featuring celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Mark Ronson in their magazines who they can relate to however an older reader could also be interested in reading this magazine as they also have celebrities such as Diana Ross and The Rat Pack who are celebrities that an older audience can relate to.