Analysis of Magazine Contents Pages

NME Magazine Contents Page:

NME's contents page fits the general conventions associated with music magazine contents pages - in particular music magazine contents pages for this genre. The page displays various features associated with the genre and also possesses the common conventions through use of text, images and layout.  

I will be exploring how the magazine cover represents the audience through Hall and Holmes' (1998) theory which stated: “Any media text is created for a particular audience and will usually appeal most to this particular target audience”. This theory will allow me to explore the audience's needs and desires through the magazine and it will also allow me to understand why specific fonts, images and colours are used.

Layout: NME's magazine cover is highly conventional in terms of layout and design - there are specific features on the page which relate to the audience and represent them to the best of their ability. 

This is done through the page being split into three specific sections - three columns which house three different areas of the contents page. This technique is used so that the contents page can be easily understandable and legible to the target audience - the layout allows for easy reading and for the eye to track certain areas on the page. The use of columns also allows the page to have a much more structural feel - this in turn represents the target audience's desire for a simple, easy to read magazine which doesn't make the eye concentrate on different areas at the same time. The target audience like this style of layout as the page is easy to read and only necessary information is in view. The layout of the page is conventional in terms of the genre and I will need to stick to these conventions when I come to create my magazine contents page. I will look at how this contents page is structured and also see how the columns allow the page to become broken up.

Use of text boxes also allows the page to become more structural - this allows the audience to have easy to read sections that are separated off from the rest of the page. Also, from a design perspective, this allows the page to have different sections of colour that break the page up in terms of information and design view. For example, the text box used at the bottom of the page, to show an advert for the magazine's subscription, is used so that this specifically contextually different section of the page is separate to the rest - allowing the eye to concentrate on the specific text sections. Text boxes are also used in the form of arrows connoting page turn over as well as referring to specific sections of text, allowing the page to appear more interesting as well as making it 'fun' and enjoyable to read.

Colours: This cover uses three main colours throughout the typography, text boxes and also images - these are black, white and red. These colours represent the target audience through themes regarding youth and also professionalism. The use of black connotes depression and rebellion two themes which relate to Stanley Hall's theory. These three colours also follow the colour palate and rule of three on the page - they also represent NME's logo and corporate colours. These colours make the contents page appear professional and also allows for a consistent theme throughout the magazine. I will use the three colour rule on my page to allow my page to seems professional and follow the conventions of others in the genre.

The target audience like this style because specifically coloured text and text boxes are specific colours - this allows certain sections to stand out and certain parts to become more noticeable than others.

Moreover, The use of yellow on the page allows certain text to stand out - this use of a fourth colour follows the conventions of magazine covers as well as allowing certain sections of the text to become broken up and separated - in this case it is done so that NME can advertise their product. 

Typography/masthead: Use of typography on the page allows text styles to differentiate as well as allowing relevant headings and bulk article font to represent different themes. To begin, the header font, indicating the contents title, follows on from NME's corporate font - this allows it to represent the magazine as well as allow the text to stand out. The masthead stands out because of the secondary text - used for sub-headings it is used so that certain parts of the article can become split as well as allowing this font style to stand out as well. Both of these fonts are bold which represents Stanley Hall's theory of 'rebellion' in youth. 

A final font is used for the majority of the article text - this represents common conventions in almost every magazine/newspaper and this allows the target audience to understand the importance and relevance of this text. Moreover, this text, due to it being a much finer, smaller text, allows for easy reading alongside making it easy to navigate. This 'finer' font is more easily read when used in an article which is why NME have used it. I will follow on from these typography techniques when I come to create my own magazine contents page. I will look at how NME have used bold fonts for headers to make them stand out and smaller finer fonts for smaller article text.

Images: Three images are used on this contents page. The first two are the main images – these images represents common conventions of magazine covers as they help to represent the audience and also allows the contents page to look attractive. It does this though the context of the image - the image represents the genre and the target audience's interests through what the image shows. This, in turn, allows for a page which is appealing and interesting, which is vital in a genre specific magazine. 

The third image is used to advertise the product - the image is used so the advert looks attractive as well as representing what the advert is trying to say without saying it. Images are imperative as it allows the audience to become engaged as well as allowing them to be representing through an interesting, engaging layout. The use of an image here helps to make the advertisement stand out, alongside the fact that the image stands out due to opposite shaded colours used in the image and the background. 

By exploring this magazine I can now see that I will now need to represent some of these key themes and theories in my own work - this will allow my magazine to build from Bentley's theory of 'rearranging the old to make the new'. By looking at this magazine's layout, colour scheme and images it has allowed me to gain an understanding of the market place as well as informing me of the key features and conventions required.

Lexis: The lexical choice by NME is relevant to that of almost all music magazines of the same genre. They have chosen language which grabs your attention, however language which is relevant to the genre and also relevant in terms of interesting the target audience. Language is used which is specific to the genre and often short, concise language is used which allows for easy reading. In places the language is informal and almost 'chatty' which invites the target audience to read on and become involved in the magazine. This in a sense connotes Stanley Hall's theory of rebellion as perhaps informal or chatty language is used in a published magazine. This kind of language is something which I will explore as I create my own magazine.

Kerrang! Magazine Contents Page:

Next I will analyse this contents page, taken from Kerrang! magazine, and explore it in terms of layout, colour, typography, lexis etc. By doing this, it will allow me to understand another magazine in the market place and the kinds of sections that I will be required to incorporate into my magazine's contents page.

Layout: The basic layout of this magazine contents page stays away from the common conventions associated with most music magazine contents pages. The idea of three columns of text is avoided as well as a large masthead and images balanced with text. However, to a certain extent this magazine contents page follows the target audience as well as the genre and the purpose of the magazine. The basic layout connotes youth and rebellion - this is key for the genre as well as representing the target audience. 

Use of text boxes, highlighted background sections and reverse colours allow the layout to work coherently despite straying away from stereotypical designs. Specific sections of the page have been highlighted so that certain sections of text can stand out from others. Moreover, use of text boxes allow important, however contextually different, sections of text stand out from others - this feature is similar to that used by many other magazines in the same market place, appealing to the same genre. 

Sections of text such as 'Contents' at the top of the page as well as 'Kerrang! this week' in the centre of the page have been incorporated into text boxes so that they stand out and help to make Kerrang!'s corporate colours stand out (white and yellow). Moreover, text boxes connote youth through easy to read, fun text and layout design - also it allows the page to connote the target audience through the colour which it possesses. 

The layout is something that I will be concentrating on when making my own magazine cover - I will be looking at Kerrang!'s magazine contents page so that I can create the best possible layout that I can. Moreover, I will be looking at how this layout portrays youth and also represents Stanley Hall's theory. 

Colours: Three main colours are used on this page - black, yellow and white. This follows the colour palate of the page and also the rule of three. These colours follow on from Kerrang!'s corporate colours and allow the page to look attractive. Moreover, use of red allows certain aspects of the page to stand out and look appealing. This also separates this section of the page and allows relevant text to be sectioned off in a sense so that it does its intended purpose. Rebellion is shown through Stanley Hall's theory throughout this page through use of colour - the dark colours signify depression which also links into Stanley Hall's theory.

Yellow is used on the page to highlight key words and headlines - this works well in terms of allowing it to stand out as it is instantly eye catching on first glance of the page. Moreover, the background colour of the text boxes intensifies this. Yellow also links back into the corporate colours and it connotes power, optimism and happiness which allow it to enhance the design, making it more attractive. Moreover, red is used at the foot of the page which connotes love, passion and also anger - this can all relate back to the target audience through stereotypes associated with a young audience. It also links into Stanley Hall's theory depression and rebellion in youth.

Typography/masthead: Various typography styles are used on this page which allows variety and also allows for an interesting layout. Moreover, the typography styles are relatively similar which allows the page to become consistent while also ensuring that it's not too similar or represents the wrong themes. An unconventional header is used in the company's corporate font to ensure that it looks correct. Despite it appearing in an unconventional area of the page, it represents the target audience through youth and rebellion. 

Two masthead style areas are incorporated onto the page - both use the same font and both have similar conventions. The first is the area that says 'contents' at the top of the page and secondly the area which reads 'Kerrang! this week'. These two sections of text represent different areas of the page however they don't represent the themes and conventions commonly required from a magazine of this type.

Different typography styles are used on the page so that it can become varied and also interesting to view. These styles are represented in different fonts and different areas to connote different meanings. The sub-heading text is very similar to that of the main header text - this allows the page to follow on from its own conventions while also creating a typography style which connotes lesser valued text. Finally, a typography style is used for the article text - this allows the ready to easily navigate the page and also read the text easily. Moreover, this text allows the page to connote professionalism as well as standard conventions of a magazine contents page.

Images: Image use on this contents page connotes youth and rebellion - this is key to the magazine's themes and also the genre. Unconventionally sized images are used so that the target audience can be represented - through stereotypes associated with youth. However, by not following on from traditional conventions, the magazine may lose a slight percentage of its audience. 

The images follow the colours of the page and allow the page to look attractive through use of colour and placement image placement. Colours such as black and white are shown through most of the image which is imperative to ensure the page stays consistent in terms of themes and design. Moreover, it allows the page to look attractive and stylish, while also representing the stereotypically rebellious target audience. Use of images also helps to break the page up in terms of allowing the text to have breaks as well as separating key sections. This is important to the target audience as it allows for easy reading on the page. 

Lexis/narrative: Specific word types are used throughout the contents page to represent the genre as well as the target audience. Moreover, they represent and connote the purpose of the magazine which is to inform as well as entertain. The page incorporates an engaging lexis which connotes informality and a friendly, welcoming feel - this is partly responsible for the success of the magazine. Relatively, however magazine and genre specific words are used to represents the magazine's purpose and audience. It also connotes an audience which wants to read something that can be quick, interesting and informative while not being overly complicated or long winded. 

By analysing Kerrang!'s magazine cover I have been able to understand the market place and also the types of magazine features which are successful and make a magazine cover look attractive and which don't. Moreover, I have been able to understand further into the interesting design and layout over the course of this page thanks to Bentley's (1997) theory which states 'The making of the new and rearranging of the old'. I will be exploring this magazine contents page when I come to create my own so that I can create something that represents the target audience as good as it can.

Q Magazine Contents Page:

Finally I am going to analyse a contents page published by Q magazine. This contents page is much more conventional in terms of layout which will allow me to have a broad understanding of conventional and unconventional features which can strengthen the integrity of a magazine's contents page. 

Layout: The layout of this magazine contents page follows similar conventions to that you would expect from a magazine of this nature. Columns are used alongside representation of text boxes, image layout and also general positioning of text.

To begin, use of columns on the page is integral to the magazine's popularity as it allows breaks in the information while also keeping it in a relevant, systematic order which allows for easy reading. In turn, this represents the audience through and an engaging design, the purpose through intention to engage the audience through contextual layout styles and also the genre through colours, text boxes and intention to lay the page out in a design which fits the audience's desires.

Text boxes are used in a widespread manor throughout the page which allows certain sections of text to become sectioned off, allowing easy reading. Moreover, these text boxes connote sophistication and a reasonably formal nature due to their size, positioning and colour. This allows the the page to thrive in terms of the genre and also the purpose - it represents the audience and allows the contents page to become a section of the magazine which engages the target audience and keeps them interested. 

Colours: A colour scheme is used in terms of a colour palate - three colours are primarily used which connotes music magazine's contents pages. Red, black and grey are used - grey and black connote depression whereas red connotes love, and in some cases youthfulness and rebellion. These colours represent the target audience through common conventions associated with them regarding Stanley Hall's theory which states that a common mood in teenagers is depression - this is strongly repented through use of black. 

The three main colours used on the page are represented throughout the background, the text boxes, the typography and also the images. Moreover, these colours are also represented through the logo in the top left of the magazine - this shows me that the colours are are the corporate colours of Q Magazine.

All of the colours used help to fit into the themes portrayed by the image surrounding them - all of the colours work well together and none of them make the page look odd or unattractive. This is imperative for the audience as it allows the page to have a theme which represents the magazine which they've purchased. Moreover, the features affected by colour help to enhance the page - making it something of popular desire. 

Typography/masthead: Q magazine's corporate typography is used for the masthead which is representative of not just magazines of this genre but also magazine in general. It is also positioned in a conventional place and is laid out in a conventional style - this regards the size of the typography, the colour in coherence with the rest of the page as well as the height that it is placed. The bold font allows the masthead to stand out and be noticed. It also allows the eye to be instantly drawn to it alongside a few other features. This is imperative as it allows the audience to understand what the page is instantly, keeping them engaged. The masthead also uses a similar font style to that of the sub headings - this allows for continuity on the page as well as allowing it to become an attractive typography style on the page in general. 

The typography used for the sub-headings allows certain sections of the page to relate back to the masthead along with the corporate fonts. The design idea to incorporate a typography style which relates back to the main header fonts is one which helps to allow the target audience to stay interested as well as represent the genre through generically laid out typography. 

Finally, the use of a third font for the main article text represents key generic themes represented in almost all forms of print media. There is a large difference between the font used for the header and the font used for the text in the article. This allows a for comprehensive difference in terms of viewing the page and understanding which sections apply to which header. Moreover, the colour of the text allows for easy to reading and connotes a formal magazine which appeals to a large audience. 

Images: Two images are used on this page which represents the target audience through Laura Mulvey's theory that women are only used in media for the sexual desire of men. Moreover, these image represent the genre, target audience and purpose. They help to connote the context of the page along with making it an interesting, attractive page to view. Moreover, the use of celebrity endorsement on the page appeals to the target audience through their interests and also what they want to see from a magazine contents page. This also relates to the purpose of the magazine which is to inform as well as entertain - this image informs the audience on what they're going to see in the magazine without reading any text. 

The images are the stereotypical size expected from a contents page of a magazine of this genre which allows for coherent reading as well as allowing the page to look attractive and appeal to the target audience. The colours used in the images also stick to those of the page, this allows the page to flow and stay within what's expected of a page of this style.

Lexis/narrative:

Sticking to convention as well as general stereotype, the lexis of the page follows the general friendly/informal feel which is inviting for the audience and helps to portray the genre through an engaging magazine style. Moreover, the lexis helps to represent the purpose of the magazine which is to inform the reader while keeping them entertained. Industry specific language is used which allows the reader to stay interested as well as represent the genre.

Through looking at this magazine I have been able to understand the key features used in popular music magazine and this also give me a clear idea of what is required in my magazine when I create it. I now have a clear understanding of what is required from a magazine of this type as well as what the target audience are looking for. This will help me when coming to design, take photos for and create my own magazine contents page.