This is a contents page from ‘Q’ Magazine. I have explored and evaluated the conventions and subversions of this page to enable me to gain more knowledge about existing products and provide me with new inspiration for my new music magazine.

All the titles and subheadings are in capital letters which allows you to read it easier, and identify the places to look first. The title ‘contents’ is written small text so that there is more room for information about the magazine and a larger picture.

The use of colour particularly stands out with this magazine. The colours from the front page are used repeatedly on every page inside. This makes the reader more familiar with the magazine and creates a brand identity.

The page numbers are red which contrasts the bold, black title heading background and compliments the subheading backgrounds and logo.

There is only one photograph on this page, showing the main featuring band in the magazine. This connotes that there will be an interview with them and most likely a double page spread. The photograph of the band pictures four people, one being higher and closer than the rest. This tells us that he is probably the lead singer.

Quotes from ‘The Courteeners’ underneath the pictures makes the reader want to read on, and perhaps flick straight to this part in the magazine.

The ‘specials’ are written in a gold text colour which attracts the eye, as it subverts the colour conventions used in the magazine so far.

I like the way the photo takes up most of the room, as a featuring band. I will use this convention in my music magazine as I think it makes the page look more interesting. I also like the way the contents are on the left hand side of the page, this subverts the conventional music magazine, as normally the contents are on the right.  

Q magazine develops a brand identity throughout as the title is featured on the front cover, then again on the contents, and a few other pages in the product. By doing so, the reader gets familiar with the magazine and will therefore make the reader feel obliged to read it again.

This is a contents page from ‘NME’ Magazine. I have explored and evaluated the conventions and subversions of this page to enable me to gain more knowledge about existing products and provide me with new inspiration for my new music magazine.

The colours used in the contents are the magazines logo colours; Red, white, and black, which connotes that it is a rock magazine.

There is only one photo on this page, which makes it more appealing to look at, and therefore, attracts the eye. The photograph takes up the majority of the page which means that the reader cannot miss it. The photo has been taken from the photographer’s perspective which entices the customer into the magazine.

An offer is used as a lure to make you read on and visit their website.

There is a band index on the left hand side of the page which shows bands/artists featured in the magazine with the page number as to where you would find them in the magazine.

The contents are sectioned out into different parts so that people can easily find what they’re looking for easily.

The colour being yellow attracts your eye to it as it’s the only other colour which subverts the house colours.

I like the big photograph in the middle from the photographers perspective, and the 'on the cover' arrows. I do not like the confusing layout and will plan to make mine a lot clearer.  

The contents page has a large masthead with the title repeated again in bold writing, creating a brand identity. This makes the reader more familiar with the product, and therefore they will become a regular consumer.

The page numbers are black, contrasting against the white background which makes it more efficient to find the page.

Conventionally, all the writing is laid out in columns. This is usually the same with all magazines.

The headings and subheadings of the contents page are in capital letters, on a black background. These factors make them stand out so the consumer will take note of the different sections.There are arrows on the contents page

showing you which storylines were featured on the front cover.  This makes it easier to find the part you are looking for without reading the whole page to search for it. These arrows are black which make them stand out and are placed in a section with no writing along the right hand side so they are easier to spot. 

This is a contents page from ‘Kerrang’ Magazine. I have explored and evaluated the conventions and subversions of this page to enable me to gain more knowledge about existing products and provide me with new inspiration for my new music magazine.

The mode of address is informal, including rhetorical questions which make you feel like you’re their friend.

There is only one photo on this page, which makes it more appealing to look at, and therefore, attracts the eye. The photograph takes up the majority of the page which means that the reader cannot miss it. The photo has been taken from the photographer’s perspective which entices the customer into the magazine.

An offer is used as a lure to make you read on and visit their website.

The editor has signed the note which adds a personal touch.

The contents are sectioned out into different parts so that people can easily find what they’re looking for easily.

The colour being yellow attracts your eye to it as it’s the only other colour which subverts the house colours.

I like the way this page subverts the conventions of only having one photo on this page. I also like the way the writing is in a column on the right hand side.  

There is a note from the editor in the top left hand corner of the contents page.

You can tell that the main focus in the magazine is ‘You me at six’ as their striking image is larger than the rest to capture the readers eye.

There is more than one photo on this page which subverts the conventions of the other music magazines that I looked at as there is only one on the others.

The headings and subheadings of the contents page are in capital letters, on a black background. These factors make them stand out so the consumer will take note of the different sections.

The house colours are black and yellow, which follows through out all the pages. This goes with the rock genre of the magazine. There is occasionally some red on parts which they want to stand out.