Hazel Doyle

AS Media Studies – Contents Page Research

I chose to look at the contents pages that went along with my front covers from my three chosen issues of Kerrang! magazine.

I chose to look at these as I liked the layout of them, two of the layouts are similar and I like the design of them and the use of spacing within them but the other example has a different layout that I don’t think works as well.

I want to try and work in the same way as the two I do like for my contents page, with a high use of images to go along with the featured articles and a set way of spacing all the information out.

A note from the editor introduces the magazine features, it talks about the main cover story and what page its on and opens the magazine to the reader. It includes a thumbnail image of the front cover.

The bold page header works well with its use of contrasting colours, it includes the issue number and cover date.

The use of pull quote here works well as it gives you a small line from a featured interview and makes you want to read more of it.

Subscription information on the first page of the magazine is effective as it immediately catches the readers attention and gives you means to carry on reading the magazine, it also has clear instructions on how to do so.

I like the use of lots of images on this page as it gives a more relaxed feeling to the magazine and you don’t have to read through lots of information to find what you want to look at, it also works well with just the use of a simple image and a caption as you immediately know what's in the magazine.

The use of headers and a simple list work well as you can find the information you want quickly and easily.

The subscription details stand out with the contrasting colours attracting reader attention.

Large image showing a band interviewed in a band that is featured in the issue. Works well as the size of image shows that it is a main interview.

Bold use of font for a header tells the reader clearly exactly what the page has on it.

A logo next to all the cover stories make it clear for the reader to find the article they want to read.

A message from the editor introduces the magazine made more personal by an image of the editor included.

Some thumbnail images of some of the interview pages featured gets the readers attention and makes them want to look at the articles in more depth.

Bold headers break down the different features of the magazine on the page and list the bands within those features below. It also makes it easier for the reader to navigate their way around a page.

A few images break up the lists of information and pull your attention to the articles they go along with.

The large image used here attracts the readers attention over all the other images, suggesting the article is a main feature of the issue.

The use of a carefully chosen pull quote works well as with just one quote it can provoke a reaction out of most of the readers capturing interest in the article.

The bold page numbers under the images mean that the reader doesn’t have to read through all the information, they can simply glance at the page to find the interview they want to read.

The band names next to the page numbers help to break down each feature more, there may be one particular band that interests the reader and it makes it easier for the reader to find the desired article.

The money off offer if you open a subscription account encourages more people to subscribe to the magazine, causing more sales.