Contents Page Research

NME Music Magazine^^^^

SPIN Music Magazine^^^^

Q Music Magazine^^^^

Codes and Conventions of a Contents Page:
-Masthead- Usually consists of both the Title of the page and the Brand Name/logo. The Brand name usually comes before the title reinforcing the brand who brought this magazine to its audience, often the first thing they read(right to left from the top). Though some magazines choose not to put there brand name at the top but place it at the bottom right hand corner like on the article pages(along with the page number). Traditionally the title used is 'Contents' however many use other definitions like 'Inside this Week' or 'Features' which is usually unique to the brand itself. Using titles in the masthead like 'this week' reinforces that the information in the features is recent and relevent and reminds the audience to keep up with the issues each week. Masthead is always made prominant, bold and clear to clearly emphasis to an audience what the point of this page is(find out more information.) Conventionally use contrasting colours to the background which make it stand out.
Colour Scheme- Complemetary of the Genres connotations (Eg Black=Rock, Red=Mainstream). The colour scheme complements the style of the issue, on the contents page it usually follows the brand colours for continuity and familiarisation. The colour scheme used for an issue is usually followed through the magazine including the contents Page. Usually uses contrsts colours to make it stand out, noticable and clear to an audience where to find the features/articles/coverlines there intrested in.
-Layout- Each Magazine will have a particular layout on its contents page than is different to other magazines but is used in every issue of that brands magazines. Features and articles are predominatly displayed in a list. Those with a younger target audience often use more images and a boxed layout wheras those with an older target audience tend to use more writing with a listed layout. Some long running magazines will change the layout of there contents page now and again to keep it fresh, up to date and to suit the target audience more. (Eg; NME used to have alot more writing and lists on there contents page but changed it too a boxed layout to suit its young target audience and weekly readers) The more popular, well-known and regular readers a magazine is the less complex its worded list of features/articles will be as an audience will begin to familiarise with its layout and be more intrested in its specific features. The newer a magazine is the more likly the layout of its contents page will have more words as people havnt familiarised with its style and layout yet.
-Sub headings/Catagory headings- These are used to break up lists of features to make it easier for an audience to find the type of article there isntrested in, makes it quicker and simpler for an audience. These Category headings usually split the features up into regular features in the magazine and special one of features. These are usually displayed on the left hand side of the page above the group of features that fit the catagory heading. The most special, intresting and one of features are usually highlighted by use of a different colours background or writing or a different font or size.
-Images- Main articles are usually highlighted by images, these images are usually an insight into a particular article/feature but only give of limited information which makes an audience want to read the full article. Some Contents pages use more images than others depending on the brand and its layout. Each image has the page number clearly marked on the corner or next to its image in contrasting colours to its background to make it clear to an audience where to find this particular article. They also include a description which is placed at the bottom of the image to give the audience a clear insight into the meaning behind the image. The descriptions most often use rhetorical questions which leave the audience with unanswered questions about /artistswhich draws them into wanting to read the whole article to find out more. Most music magazine contents pages include one main image which is either of the aritist on the front cover or the main article. Younger target audience magazines tend to use more images than those targeted at older audiences which tend to use more writing. Theres usually 1-7 images on a contents page.
-Issue Number- Normally positioned at the top left or right hand corner of the contents page. Usually in smaller writing that the masthead and main headings. It normally next to the magazine title/Masthead.
-Issue Date-This is ually positioned along side the issue number or below it. These are together on he front page and on the contents page too.
-Website/Contact Details- Usually posistioned alond side/underneeth the the issue date and issue number or at the bottom right hand corner of the page. More well-known magazines are more likly to put up contact details as they will have a website they want there readers to check out or want to allow audience feedback. If there is a competition on the contents page or subscriber box/section(usually displayed in a splash format) then contact details will often be placed within these. Contact details allows an audience to gain more information and enables the brand to increase popularity.
-Page Numbers- These are conventionally displayed on the left hand side of the list of the features, next to each one. These are usually in bold as the point of a contents page is to find articles easily and emphasising the page numbers allows an audience to find them easily - its conventional. Images used also have page numbers the there referenanced from next to them, hese are usually placed in the bottom or top right hand corner of the image in contrasting colours and in the same font that the features were written in.
Font- Conventionally uses an 11 pt on the list of features. The page numbers are usually a couple of font sizes bigger with the mast head being at least twice the size of the majority of writing.