Contents Page Analysis

As I have to also design a contents page to include in my magazine, I decided to research and analyse the contents page in current music magazines. Below are a couple of images of contents pages from the music magazines Q and NME.

They are both very different with the Q contents page much more simple with an image being the most dominant part of the page whereas the actual contents is minimal and simple. This allows the reader to firstly look at the image then focus their attention onto the contents text, which stands out and makes it easier for the reader to read and find the page they are looking for much more quickly. I particularly like this design as it is very simple with the contents clearly standing out due to the one image in the background. All the information needed in on the page without any complicated design or irrelevant text. This contents page is a positive inspiration for the creation of my own contents page.

NME's contents page is much more detailed and complex than Q's contents page.

The actual contents of the magazine have been separated under different headings which does make it easier to navigate and find the particular page that the reader is looking to read.

Down the left had side of the contents page is a "band index which helps the reader find a specific band inside of the magazine. However this looks complicated and the white background looks unattractive to read and monotamous.

Stories that can be found on the cover are navigated by a small red arrow which makes it easier and quicker for the reader to find the story.

Inbetween the two content is columns are two pictures with a small story underneath, this is a taster to give the reader and idea of what the rest of the magazine will be like. However this does not make the page a strict contents page. Although, adding the story makes the page more interesting and fills the large gap between thr two colums. The fact that a astory was used about Oasis, makes the story more appealing as they will be recognised amonst the British audience. If the story wasn't there then the writing would go against the the common conventions of NME.

Thisa contents page is very busy with different sized fonts and colours but it also has a sensible layout with headings and sub headings,allowing it to be easier to find certain pages.