Analysis of Music Magazine Contents Page

1. Analysis of music magazine
contents pages

2. Analysis of magazine contents pages:
Contents 1- NME Sept 2009

3. LIST OF BANDS-
The column on the left of the page lists
the bands and page numbers which
shows the reader who is featured in the
magazine and the page numbers help
them find the page. It shows that there
is a wide range of artists/bands which is
appealing for the target audience and
also the bands are in a red font colour
which makes them stand out on the
white background and it differs from the
page numbers as they are in black as
they are slightly less important.
BANNER AT TOP-
The black banner at the top is like a
background for the masthead which
contrasts with the bold red and white
masthead and this makes it stand out and
clearly signifies to the reader what the
page is about
DATE-
The date is a important feature as it
identifies how current it is and when it was
published and for example it means that
regular buyers and target audience can
see whether they have missed out on
buying the previous issue(s).
SUB HEADING BLOCKED OUT INTO
BLACK SUB SECTIONS-
Like the masthead and banner at the top of
the page, these white bold sub headings in
the same font as masthead have black sub
sections positioned underneath each one
which contrasts making the sub headings
stand out to the reader and the sub
sections also contrast with the white
background. The sub headings show the
reader what the main areas of interest the
magazine features.
BRIEF HEADING+SUMMARY OF
CONTENT WITH PAGE NUMBER IN
RED-
These are positioned under the sub
headings which shows the category it
comes under, and it show the reader what
the main articles/stories are and the page
number it is on. The font colour is black-
matching the sub sections which again
contrast on the white background making it
stand out, and the page number is in red
font colour which indicates it is slightly
more important
MASTHEAD-
The masthead is the same colour as
masthead- red and has a white outline
which contrasts on the black banner
across the top which makes it stand out,
and ensures consistency with the front
cover and colour scheme.
THE MAIN IMAGE-
The main image is a mid shot of a
member of the band The Big Pink who is
pointing at a tour bus which relates to the
article below about them starting more
gigs in the UK. The image is edited so it
looks like a photograph pinned up on a
board which gives a unique and traditional
feel. The image is quite inviting and
friendly as the women is looking straight
at the camera with a happy expression
which makes the reader feel welcome.
EDITORS INTRODUCTION TO MAGAZINE-
This introduction by the editor adds some humour and comes across
as friendly which makes the reader feel at ease and it mentions
briefly some of the main featured articles. The sub heading ‘Touring
special’ uses a disintegrated style font which associates with the
music genre Rock. The sub heading and introduction is in white font
which stands out on the dark background.
SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS-
This shows a cheap deal they are
doing for issues of NME to persuade
the reader to subscribe. It includes the
price, website, and phone number.
There is use of yellow font colour on
the key words which stand out on the
dark background the other text is
white which also stand out but less.

4. Analysis of NME layout/design features of contents
page
List of
bands
and
the
page
numbe
rs
showin
g who
is
feature
d in
the
magaz
ine
Image of a member of the
famous band ‘The Big Pink’
pointing at a tour bus- relating
to the article below which is
about more British gigs
Editors introduction to the
magazine- mentioning the
main features
Subscription offers-
showing cheap
deals and giving
details of how to
pay for it
Masthead and word contents- bold at top with date
underneath
Bold sub headings
with sub sections
positioned
underneath. Under
each sub heading
there is a brief
heading and
summary of
contents with page
number next to it

5. Analysis of magazine contents pages:
Contents 2- Kerrang Nov 2008

6. EDITORS INTRODUCTION TO MAGAZINE-
This introduction by the editor explains why
Biffy Clyro is featured in this issue the
magazine (main people on cover- image to
the left). The way the editor writes and signs
at end is informal and quite chatty which
gives a more personal approach to the
reader and makes it more friendly. The font
colour is black making it stand out on the
white background and also uses small font
size so that it takes up less space on the
page- allowing more space for the images
and contents details.
THE MAIN IMAGE-
The main image is a mid shot of the vocalist
from the band The Bronx who is shown
singing at a gig. The image is larger than the
others on the page which indicate that it is
the main feature of the magazine, and it
gives the page number in the top right corner
of the image and a brief description of article.
The page number is in a larger and bolder
yellow font style than the brief description
which is in a white font colour and this
makes it stand out more and signifies that it
is slightly more important.
OTHER IMAGES-
The images are dominant on this page which
is appealing for the reader as it indicates that
the magazine includes a wide range of
articles and imagery. It also looks quite
cluttered which associates with Rock. The
images to the side and below the image of
the singer from The Bronx show that the
articles related to the images are less
important as the images are smaller. They
also have smaller sized font for the page
number and brief description which confirms
this.
DATE AND ISSUE NUMBER-
The date and issue number are important
features as they identify how current it is
and when it was published and for
example buyers and target audience can
see whether they have missed out on
buying the previous issue(s). Also they are
in a white font contrasting with the box-
making it stand out.
SUB HEADING BLOCKED OUT INTO
BLACK SUB SECTIONS-
Like the masthead and box at the top of
the page these yellow bold sub headings in
the same font as masthead have black sub
sections positioned underneath each one
which contrasts making the sub headings
stand out and the sub sections also
contrast with the white background. The
sub headings show the reader what the
main areas of interest the magazine
features.
BRIEF HEADING WITH PAGE NUMBER-
These are positioned under the sub
headings which shows the category it
comes under, and it shows the reader what
the main articles featured in magazine are.
The font colour is black- matching the sub
sections which again contrast on the white
background making it stand out. Under the
issue number and date there is a quote by
a rock band member and page number.
WORD CONTENTS AND BOX-
The word contents uses a bold yellow font
in a black box which contrasts and makes
it stand out and shows what the page is
about. It is also inconsistent with the front
cover colour scheme which is unusual in
magazines and this associates with Rock-
individuality.
SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS-

This shows a cheap deal they are
doing for issues of Kerrang to
persuade the reader to subscribe. It
includes the prices and instructions on
how to pay. There is use of white font
colour which stand out on the red
background.

7. Analysis of Kerrang layout/design features of
contents page
The word contents- bold at
top with date and issue
number underneath
Bold sub
headings
with sub
sections
positioned
underneath.
Under each
sub heading
there is a
heading and
page number
next to it
Editors introduction to the
magazine- talking about main
feature of magazine
Quote by Rock band
member and page number
Main image- singer from the
band The Bronx
Many images relating
to articles featured in
the magazine- with the
page number and brief
description in top right
corner
Subscription
offers-
showing
cheap deals
and giving
details of
how to pay
for it

8. Analysis of magazine contents pages:
Contents 3- Vibe Feb 2009

9. THE MAIN IMAGE-
The main image is a mid shot of the
rapper Kanye West who has a arm
coming over his shoulder holding a heart-
shaped object (only bright colour used on
page which draws attention) which may
infer that the woman is trying to win-over
his heart. The image dominates the page
and the simplicity of the page attracts the
target audience as he is a famous rapper
and this relates to the genre of the
magazine and they are likely to listen to
his music. Kanye is looking straight at the
camera with a a moody attitude
expression on his face which associates
with rebellion and the genre of Rap
music. Kanye West is on the front cover
of this magazine as well which indicates
he is the main feature. Also Kanye is
dressed quite smartly considering he is a
rap artist and this connects with the
colour scheme and magazine being
elegant/classy.
CONTENTS WORD-
The word Contents is in a large bold black
font which is not in a straight line but is
split up into three lines and contrasts with
background which makes it original and
stands out. Most Vibe contents pages
display the word contents like this as well
which ensures consistency and
professionalism.
SUB HEADING-
Like the word Contents above there are
black bold sub headings which show the
reader what the main areas of interest are
featured in the magazine (features and
fashion). The font used for the sub
headings is fancy and stylish which again
relates to the colour scheme and Kanye’s
clothes, and also makes it look more
interesting
BRIEF HEADINGS+SUMMARY OF
CONTENT WITH PAGE NUMBER-
These are positioned under the sub
headings which shows the category it
comes under, and it show the reader what
the main articles/stories are and the page
number it is on. The font colour of brief
headings is grey- making them stand out
to the summary of content which is in black
and matches the sub headings. The page
number is in a bolder font than the heading
which indicates it is slightly more
important.
MASTHEAD-
The masthead is a large letter V which
stands for the magazine name Vibe. It
is always featured on Vibe magazine
contents pages and is positioned in the
top half of the page which keeps there
magazines consistent and look
professional. This also a sort of logo for
Vibe and makes the magazine
recognisable just by using the letter V.
Most of the contents pages in Vibe
magazine use a monochromatic colour
scheme like this one as the V is grey
which matches with the background
colour and the black and white image of
rapper- Kanye West. The colour
scheme gives an elegant/classy look
and makes the V stand out.
PHOTOGRAPH DETAILS-
In the bottom right of the page there are a
few lines of text which tell the reader the
artists name, where and when the photo
was taken, and who took the photo. This
gives fans/target audience extra
information which they may want.

10. Analysis of Vibe layout/design features of contents
page
The word contents- bold at
top
Masthead- large V standing
for Vibe
Main image- rapper Kanye West with
arm over shoulder holding heart-shaped
object
Bold
subheadings+
brief headings
and summary
of contents with
page number
Photograph
information