Research Task

Contents Pages

AS Media Coursework

Rebecca Maul

This contents page of ‘Vibe’ has a very creative look. The title has a very different and unusual look due to the fact that it is split into 3 sections on 3 lines, rather than all being on one line. The effect this has is that it draws more attention to the title as it doesn't look boring. The white title stands out against the black background. It is also in capital letters, and bold. This makes it very clear and noticeable.

The celebrity featured is in an unusual, unique pose which would attract interest from readers. Also, the way that has crossed her legs to make the letter 'V' to stand for 'Vibe' magazine is very effective. It is also very effective the way that her body frames the bottom corner of the page. The use of the image takes up most of the page which makes it look more busy and not so bland. This shows that it is an important feature of the page and makes the image look more professional

The background colour matches the models outfit, with the use of grey. It gives a dark scene which creates a modern, revived kind of look. The heels that she’s wearing also connotes classiness and sophistication. The use of black font stands out well against the grey background, whereas the white stands out well against the black.

The contents font is a very clear font to make it readable as this is the most important information on the page. The page headings are in bold writing which makes that stand out to readers in order to ensure they know what page certain articles are on. The date and issue number is situated at the top of the page, above the title. They are both in a smaller font, as these aren't important pieces of information, and therefore they do not need to be the first thing that the reader needs to see

The heading makes it clear that it is from Mojo magazine, however it doesn't make it clear that it's a contents page as it doesn't have a title saying ‘Contents’ like the conventional set out of a typical contents page. Although, the heading stands out as the contrasted colours of black and white have been used. The black, bold, block writing stands out against the plain white background. The layout of this contents page is very simple, yet very effective. The contents are in the centre of the page on a block white background, with pictures surrounding it, and the title at the top of the page

The pictures include subheadings which also state the page number that the articles are located on. This is very helpful as it makes it easier for the reader. Also, the pictures are more noticeable and attract attention to the featured articles and by using page numbers to label what page the image is on makes it rather easy for the reader to navigate their way through the magazine

The use of colour and font on this page is clean and limited which keeps the page simple, despite the amount of detail. The whole layout is in columns, with boxes being used to guide the reader's eyes and separate the certain sections. There is also repetition of the logo from the cover, as a reminder to the reader, as well as a link to the magazine's online website at the top. This provides another media type for the magazine extending the target audience and providing another source for the magazine information

This edition of Q magazine is quite typical in the set out of the contents page and follows a conventional layout. There is a main picture of a band from one of the lead articles and a smaller one at the bottom of the page from another section. The larger image shows that this is the featured band and article for the magazine and creates a sense of importance. There is also a list of contents showing readers what's in the magazine and which articles are on each page. There is a separate section with several elements for a ‘special’ section featured in the magazine. This gives us a sense of the value for money that we will get from the magazine.

The title for this page is clear, bold and again, uses contrasting colours in order for the page to draw readers attention and stand out. Next to the title is the magazine logo keeping the consistency of the magazine

This contents page is quite busy, however the information presented is quite easy to read as it is separated into clear sections. Each section of writing has a heading which stands out as each heading is on a black background with yellow writing. The list of pages and articles are in bold writing with the page number next to each line of writing which provides readers with a clear link and navigation to where to find the articles they wish to read. The font and colour of text keeps the running theme of the magazine as it remains black and prominent

The title for this page is in yellow and uses the same font as the main magazine masthead. The yellow font stands out against the black background of the image. The image used for this contents page portrays wreck less characters. This fits in with the overall ‘look’ of the magazine as it is not conventional behaviour being represented. The image is also of a featured band in the magazine which would be listed in the actual contents. The main image uses dark colours, alike to the writing.

The smaller images used for this contents page relate to the actual contents listed. They are relevant, however they are not consistently placed around the page which again creates a distorted and ‘messy’ look. However, this keeps the theme of the magazine and fits their usual layout. In the bottom right hand corner, there is an advert or promotion which creates interest for the readers

This is the contents page for an issue of NME magazine. The readers can immediately recognise which magazine it is an extract from due to the logo used at the top of the page. It is the typical red block text with a white outline which frames it against the black background it has been placed on. Unlike typical magazines, it uses the phrase ‘this week’ instead of ‘contents’. However, it still informs readers that this is the contents page as at first glance, we can tell that it will be stating what is featured in the magazine for that week. The text is large, white and capitalised to stand out and draw attention to itself. Against the black background, this heading will be the first thing readers will look at.

The main image is of the featured band and it is in the middle section of the page, prioritising it amongst the other sections and images on the page. The image is overlapped by a section which resembles a newspaper cutting which informs readers who the band are and what the article is about.

On the left hand side, there is a section which consists of red writing. It has a clear, bold black heading . By using these two colours for the text, the magazine is keeping with their recognisable colours that readers can relate to and identify. On the right hand side there is a section listing the contents within the magazine. The writing is black which keeps it clear and readable against the black background and each heading is white capitalised text placed on a black background which draws attention and make it stand out.

The title for this page is what you would typically expect to find on a magazine contents page. The text ‘Contents’ is bold and yellow, against a black background framed around the writing which makes the text stand out from amongst the page. It draws attention to what the page actually consists of which is helpful for readers in order to navigate around the magazine.

There is a list on the right hand side with the heading ‘THIS WEEK’. This shows readers that whatever listed below is what’s going to be in that issue of the magazine. The heading is black text against a yellow background, however, the subheadings below for each section are yellow writing on a black background. The reversal of colours makes that whole section stand out on the page and draws attention due to the contrasting colours of the bright, garish yellow to the black and vice versa.

There are many different images used for this contents page and the majority of the page itself is taken up by various images of different bands and artists. Under each picture there is a heading and a page number which provides a brief cut of information about what the image is representing and where you can find the article and more information about it within the magazine. This is a useful technique as readers can quickly and easily find what they are interested in. There is one larger image on the left hand side above all the other images which suggests to us that this the main featured article and band.

This contents page is completely different from other pages I have analysed. The main image is place at the top of the page and the background is completely black. This allows the colour of texts and images to appear brighter and more prominent in order to attract the reader’s attention. The other two images used are one for each section. The images are slanted which creates an edgy, distorted feel, however, would attract to younger audiences as it is not following the bland, conventional layout. All images are relevant to the writing on the page and provide more visual information for the readers.

The title for this page is in a typewriter font which creates an edgy look. It is also slanted in order to create a more modern look and attract reader’s attention to the page. It clearly informs readers what the page is and stands out against the dark background

The contents are separated into two different sections. Alike to the images and title, they are slanted to create the same modern effect. It keeps the page looking consistent. The blocks of writing have headings that run down the side of the text which again doesn’t follow the conventional lay out for a contents page.Next to each line of writing, there is a yellow box which states the page number of where you can find the information parallel. Two of the boxes have arrows pointing to the two images used which lets readers know where to find the articles related to the images