Magazine Contents Page Analysis.
There are many features that contribute to a successful contents page. I have analysed a specific music magazine and the devices presented are important in informing and persuading the readers to continue.
There are many pictures displayed though main ones are more prominent either by size or location in the layout. For example the main picture on the contents page is of 4 electric guitars, which are lined up and cover half the page. This draws in the focus of the reader and may have a link to the cover story. The consistency and links of articles satisfies the reader.
It also features sub-headings in bold red and white outlined boxes. These stand out and are easily readable. Tag lines are included in clear black font, which compliments the background making it easily comprehensible and convenient. Symbols are also used this creates a memorable feature as well as a trademark colour palette or theme. Page numbers are also used so that readers can easily find particular articles and captions underneath images help to display what the magazine includes.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Monday, 9 November 2009
“Now” Magazine contents page analysis.
At the top of the page, there is the trademark title of “now” magazine, it stands out in bold blue font and is the largest piece of writing on the page as it is important that it is the first thing read. – I think that it will be an important feature for me to include in my contents page.
As well as the giant font, “Now” magazine has a paragraph of text relating to the large image on the left. Also, captions of relevance are displayed to captivate the reader. – these will also be important features for me to include as they are common aspects to contents pages of magazines.
In addition, to features that would be good to include, there are also aspects that would not be appropriate to use within my contents page. For example, there are many colours that are trademark aspects to “Now” magazine in particular. I will try to use a small combination or selection that will not detract attention from the main focal point and will be easier to read.
Finally, “Now” magazine also includes a column of clearly laid out text in the style of a list. This is one of the more important features, as it is where the contents can be looked up. – similar to this feature, I will be using the same layout format so that my contents are comprehensible and yet still eye-catching.
Other features …
- Competitions
- Tag lines
- Page number
- Extra image(s)
At the top of the page, there is the trademark title of “now” magazine, it stands out in bold blue font and is the largest piece of writing on the page as it is important that it is the first thing read. – I think that it will be an important feature for me to include in my contents page.
As well as the giant font, “Now” magazine has a paragraph of text relating to the large image on the left. Also, captions of relevance are displayed to captivate the reader. – these will also be important features for me to include as they are common aspects to contents pages of magazines.
In addition, to features that would be good to include, there are also aspects that would not be appropriate to use within my contents page. For example, there are many colours that are trademark aspects to “Now” magazine in particular. I will try to use a small combination or selection that will not detract attention from the main focal point and will be easier to read.
Finally, “Now” magazine also includes a column of clearly laid out text in the style of a list. This is one of the more important features, as it is where the contents can be looked up. – similar to this feature, I will be using the same layout format so that my contents are comprehensible and yet still eye-catching.
Other features …
- Competitions
- Tag lines
- Page number
- Extra image(s)
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Magazine Analysis Essay
How do magazines use front covers and contents pages to attract readers?
There are many aspects to which a magazine front cover and contents page are designed to attract readers. These specific elements draw upon particular features such as layout, text and colour, all to which are seen as attractive to a specific audience.
Usually a magazine front cover would include an image of a particular person or celebrity, occasionally a scene or object. The magazine I have analysed is Blender, the April 2008 edition music oriented magazine. On the front cover is a large image of Taylor Swift which is wide shot. This may appeal to an immediate audience for things such as clothing that is almost being advertised alongside the contents. The image positioning creates a powerful look to captivate onlookers as well as the directional positioning of Taylor Swift, which addresses the readers and ensures that the pose is iconic. Therefore this will attract fans of the country pop singer and those inspired by her will turn their attention to it. Also many things can be interpreted from the main image, connotations for example that will set its readers thinking.
As well as the main image, the text on show acts as a callout and informs the readers of a particular article being featured. Elements such as this are very effective as they display insight via descriptions, which persuade the readers to want to know more on the particular subject. The text column attracts attention to the articles within the magazine also, and the words written in colour stand out from the original black. This outburst of colour creates a sense of excitement for the information contained and would make readers more interested than if the text was written completely in standard black. The blue text displayed contrasts with the white background and black text, and elaborates on the initial coverline. As well as the main coverlines, there are smaller ones displayed which are designed to be read after the bigger pieces of text and the celebrity names also shown here, are used as a final attempt at captivating the reader. Presented below the title, are more pieces of texts known as scoop and hooks deigned to attract potential buyers and are set aside so as not to deviate attention from the main picture.
The magazine title is a crucial persuasive and informative feature. As it is the largest text shown it stands out amongst everything else and is shown in bold. It announces the name of the magazine in “stand-out-ish” bold blue in it’s fixed location. Brand identity can be associated via the particular text and style, this then directs more readers to take a peak as it is unique and likable. It also helps that the text style and colour used are clear and easily read so that potential buyers are immediately satisfied.
A contents page usually consists as a list of features included and needs specific qualities to attract readers. For example, a main image, though not necessarily as central or large scale as that of a front cover. The picture is often associated and therefore linked to the front cover to further advertise a particular celebrity attracting readers to the magazine. And with this the magazine appears fluid which appeals to it’s readers as it is easily read and comprehended.
Also displayed on the contents page is plenty of text. For example, a tag line underneath the heading like “inside Britain’s No.1 magazine”. The use of this feature creates intrigue. Further below this, numerals or bullet points, list the magazines contents in columns so that articles are found with ease. Tiles of articles are often shown in bold in correlation to the rest of the texts for convenience that therefore allows the reader to choose what they would like to look at.
The colour scheme is one of the most important features in attracting readers because it appears more exciting and is often eye-catching. Also, significant colour connotations can been drawn upon and associated or representive of a particular genre of magazine. i.e.) rock music, home, gossip, and children’s magazines. Depending on which type of audience the magazine is advertising to, depends on the colour scheme used. A group of 4 or less recurring colours are more beneficial in attracting attention as the readers will be able to easily identify it and yet not feel it is too hectic with a too wide a range of colours that deviates attention from the contents.
It is also important that to attract readers, the background is fairly simple so that text can be easily read over the top of it. In keeping with the front cover and overall identity of the magazine a continued theme of specific colours demonstrates fluidity further.
In conclusion, it is a wide combination of aspects that contribute to the overall success of attracting readers to the magazine and the specific layout applies a professional and memorable magazine that is easily read and approved by readers.
There are many aspects to which a magazine front cover and contents page are designed to attract readers. These specific elements draw upon particular features such as layout, text and colour, all to which are seen as attractive to a specific audience.
Usually a magazine front cover would include an image of a particular person or celebrity, occasionally a scene or object. The magazine I have analysed is Blender, the April 2008 edition music oriented magazine. On the front cover is a large image of Taylor Swift which is wide shot. This may appeal to an immediate audience for things such as clothing that is almost being advertised alongside the contents. The image positioning creates a powerful look to captivate onlookers as well as the directional positioning of Taylor Swift, which addresses the readers and ensures that the pose is iconic. Therefore this will attract fans of the country pop singer and those inspired by her will turn their attention to it. Also many things can be interpreted from the main image, connotations for example that will set its readers thinking.
As well as the main image, the text on show acts as a callout and informs the readers of a particular article being featured. Elements such as this are very effective as they display insight via descriptions, which persuade the readers to want to know more on the particular subject. The text column attracts attention to the articles within the magazine also, and the words written in colour stand out from the original black. This outburst of colour creates a sense of excitement for the information contained and would make readers more interested than if the text was written completely in standard black. The blue text displayed contrasts with the white background and black text, and elaborates on the initial coverline. As well as the main coverlines, there are smaller ones displayed which are designed to be read after the bigger pieces of text and the celebrity names also shown here, are used as a final attempt at captivating the reader. Presented below the title, are more pieces of texts known as scoop and hooks deigned to attract potential buyers and are set aside so as not to deviate attention from the main picture.
The magazine title is a crucial persuasive and informative feature. As it is the largest text shown it stands out amongst everything else and is shown in bold. It announces the name of the magazine in “stand-out-ish” bold blue in it’s fixed location. Brand identity can be associated via the particular text and style, this then directs more readers to take a peak as it is unique and likable. It also helps that the text style and colour used are clear and easily read so that potential buyers are immediately satisfied.
A contents page usually consists as a list of features included and needs specific qualities to attract readers. For example, a main image, though not necessarily as central or large scale as that of a front cover. The picture is often associated and therefore linked to the front cover to further advertise a particular celebrity attracting readers to the magazine. And with this the magazine appears fluid which appeals to it’s readers as it is easily read and comprehended.
Also displayed on the contents page is plenty of text. For example, a tag line underneath the heading like “inside Britain’s No.1 magazine”. The use of this feature creates intrigue. Further below this, numerals or bullet points, list the magazines contents in columns so that articles are found with ease. Tiles of articles are often shown in bold in correlation to the rest of the texts for convenience that therefore allows the reader to choose what they would like to look at.
The colour scheme is one of the most important features in attracting readers because it appears more exciting and is often eye-catching. Also, significant colour connotations can been drawn upon and associated or representive of a particular genre of magazine. i.e.) rock music, home, gossip, and children’s magazines. Depending on which type of audience the magazine is advertising to, depends on the colour scheme used. A group of 4 or less recurring colours are more beneficial in attracting attention as the readers will be able to easily identify it and yet not feel it is too hectic with a too wide a range of colours that deviates attention from the contents.
It is also important that to attract readers, the background is fairly simple so that text can be easily read over the top of it. In keeping with the front cover and overall identity of the magazine a continued theme of specific colours demonstrates fluidity further.
In conclusion, it is a wide combination of aspects that contribute to the overall success of attracting readers to the magazine and the specific layout applies a professional and memorable magazine that is easily read and approved by readers.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Sunday, 27 September 2009
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