Existing Music Contents

This contents page of “miXmag” is split in text and images and the images over power the page making it a main focus especially the picture of the female as it is the biggest, therefore takes up most of the space. The layout of this page is very neat as the images are in line and fit together and the text is in a line downwards in a column and list form. Therefore making it easier to read and the viewer can easily see the information they want straight away. The three images have numbers in the corners of the boxes to show which page they are on, they are written three times next to each other to make it stand out and show its importance. To make it easier for the consumer the pages have been categorised so that the view can look for what they want, rather than looking at everything, they look at a category then find what they want. Although the pages are only in order in the categories therefore if you look at all of them they are no in order. The page topics have been put in bold to show that this is the name of the page, which represents the page. Also to help the view can some idea of what the page is about and not just see the title and presume about what it could be; the magazine has supplied a little introduction for telling the viewer what it entails. This which helps the reader decide whether they really want to read it. The page has no gender specified as it has both images with male and female in it, it also uses neutral colours e.g. yellow and blues. As the biggest image is of a woman, you could say this magazine is more aimed at women and this backs up my point with the pink writing and the colour purple is used a lot. The contents page has the month and the year printed small at the top and at the bottom of the page, this is so the magazine shows that it is up to date and in date.

In “DRUMMER” magazine pictures are the main focus point on this page, with the minimal text for the contents. The theme is clear through the page of the colours white, black and red and this is even represented in the pictures as some are turned into black and white and there is an image of the red headed model. The magazine demonstrates that it is obviously a music magazine as it shows images of drummers playing and bands singing. The page numbers start at 20 this demonstrates that there are not very good stories or information on pages 1-19; this gives the reader the what they want and show what they want to read, rather than listing everything that isn’t needed. There is a symbolic image next to the magazine name “DRUMMER” as there is an image of a drum set and then three other images on the contents contain drummers and drum sets. This is very ironic and this shows that “DRUMMER” is a very rocky music magazine as drums are very loud and fast. Therefore this magazine is for drummer lovers and band lovers, as it focuses on this instrument the most. This page is very male orientated as most of the pictures are of males, making it very sexist and as there is only one picture of a female this proves this. I like how the contents has split its important pages from its regulars as they shouldn’t be shown together as regular are always there, whereas other stories etc change every month. Therefore causing less hassle of looking at these pages. There is an image next to the name of the magazine and as it is mainly white, it has been shadowed in red which I really like as normally black shadow is used, therefore being different and sticking the red, black and white theme. I don’t like how the name of the magazine is so big and important on this magazine as it is a contents page but by doing this it makes it seem like a front cover at first. Therefore the positions of the text could be switch around as this would look better adn show that it is a contents page more clearly.

“Q” magazine’s main focus on this page is the photo on the right taking up most of the page. The layout is set to have half text and half pictures to break it even and not have too much of the other. This makes a good contrast and is easy on the eyes of the consumer. This contents page is very neat and tidy with the text and images being in boxes makes the layout look presentable and readable with easy. All of the text is laid out in list form to make it easier for consumers to read and then it is categorised into topics, which makes it simpler when finding the right page or topic you’re interested in. Also even in these categories they are still in order which doesn’t confuse the reader. As all the images are of males the page can be seen as sexist or male originated. Throughout the page it used the magazines title “Q” this promotes the magazine and names its pages for example “Q Contents” meaning its “Q’s” magazine. Although this content page is simplistic with the three themed colours this is iconic as the title of the magazine is white and red therefore sublimely promoting the magazine and making the reader remember the theme so that when they see these colour they think out the magazine. The images are very natural looking as they don’t look photoshopped much as they look like they have used natural light as they are both outside. Which doesn’t give the reader a fake look and they trust what they are looking at is real, therefore more likely to buy the magazine. Also the image both look very cultural and historic demonstrating that music has been around for centuries and these bands are getting back to basics by taking ideas for the past for new music. On the page it offers the reader things like “Every month...” this tells the reader that the magazine is available monthly, by hinting this.

This content has split its cost by not wasting colour, not adding much text and images because this page is very simplistic. This is a good thing as why waste these features when the contents page isn’t looked at much. The use of black and white all over the page makes it look very original and classic. The repetition of “VIBE” is used all of the page to show that there are other “VIBE” medias available such as “VIBE.com” and to promote the magazine and get more people to view and visit websites and chat rooms etc. I think the main thing that lets this page down is the image as it doesn’t represent music in any way, therefore you wouldn’t know that this belonged to a music magazine unless you looked at the text. Although even some of the text seems to belong to a fashion magazine as it states what the models are wearing “Dress by BOSS BLACK”. I like how the contents title is split up into a couple of letters a line as everyone knows what it says still even though it’s mixed up. This is a very risky technique but it is clever as it makes the reader read the text clearly. Everything is very easy to read in a list form and it is all is one colour so that it is clearer to read for people who can’t see colours, so some colours make their eyes go funny. I like how it splits the texts up by using bold stripes/lines this is because the information is this box is important as it keeps the reader hooked on “VIBE” by offering them more. Instead of calling the list of page numbers “features” it says “volume” which is better as it relates more to music with the volume of the sound. The magazine has both genders in it therefore it isn’t seen as gender specific or sexist. I like how the list of pages goes from slightly bold for the page name, then bold for the person’s name and not bold for the next bit of information. This lets the consumer see different information easier and can pick out people’s name easier as it is the most important thing along with the page number.

This “KERRANG” contents page shows the text topic with an image which helps the consumer know more about the article and makes it more picturistic. The page can be seen as busy and rough like “KERRANG’s” type of music which is rock. I think this isn’t a very good content page as you want to get straight to the point when looking at this page as you want to see the page numbers and the titles mainly. The images used, clearly show that it is a music magazine as there are men singing with a microphone. Normally rock magazine as traditionally black and all doom and gloom, but the use of yellow text and white background highlights and shows the brighter side to rock music. “KERRANG” are obviously very proud and confident about their magazine as they are showing there next front cover to promote and get people to subscribe. This keeps the audience on their toes and wants to know what happening in the next issue. The images seem to be all lively this shows that this magazine is full of life and it is never a dull moment, and as there are some images with lots of people in them, it demonstrates that everyone can be a part of it, including the reader. It uses jargon like “SWAG” therefore their audience must know what this is. It is an easy lay out to read as everything is in boxes and the text is short and sweet, therefore the reader can quickly and this and find the page they want. The images are very crazy and violent which is mostly stereotypically suited to men and as all the images are males it has a male feel to it, which is very sexist. As all of the smaller images are very active and wild looking this makes the page look very extreme and wacky, although the close up of the male, calms the page down and makes it look very pleasant. The images have been outline with a black outline and shadow this enhances the images and sharps it as some pictures have or are the same colours as the background. The page has a negative and dark themed feeling to it as it has bands on that are called “THE BLACKOUT” and “TASTE OF CHAOS” which stereotypically rock bands call themselves this to describe their scary and fierce music.