Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Q CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS


Colour

The colours used on the Q front cover remain the core colours of this contents page - red, black, white and grey. Red again appears to be the prominent colour and really brings the page to life. The contents spreads across 2 plain white pages which is realtively unusual, as often the contents will only occupy a single page. The impression that the colours create is again classy, and the vibe you get is very similar to that of the front cover. There is a thick red band running across the top of the page that contains the title, 'Q Contents'. The use of red here shows the reader that this is the main title. This same red is seen underlining headings across the page, helping to emphasise their importance in comparison to some of the other, less significant text on the page. The majority of text is in black, giving it a smart, neat appearance.

Design

The centre of the double page contents is occupied mainly by images, with the text arranged either side. On the left-hand side is a column titled 'features', listing what unique elements there are in this weeks issue. On the right-hand side there is another column listing the regular elements found in the magazine. There is also a small section at the bottom to the right, titled 'THE Q REVIEW'. This arrangement causes the reader to be drawn towards the images, making it clearer and more obvious just what is inside. The images all vary in size and overlap in places, giving the illusion that the magazine is packed full. The font type is a typical 'times new roman' style, and the size differs depending of the texts level of importance - for example, the headings are in larger font.

Images

There are many images on this double page that represent what this issue of Q has to offer. The largest image is of Cheryl Cole which is not surprising considering she was the main focus of the front cover. The photo of her is in black and white which suits the overall representation of the page well. She is dressed in clothes that you would usually associate with rock culture - a dark top covered in spikes, sleeve gloves, slit leggins and studded heels. Also her make-up is dark and her expression harsh. All of this portrays the indie/rock theme of Q. Her pose is also quite sexy which will appeal to the target audience (mature men). Also, Cheryl's arm is protruding from the border of the photo, overlapping with the red band at the top of the page. This shows that she is an important feature, as well as giving the page a more 3D appearance. Another image that overlaps with the red band is a photo of Holly Johnson. Holly Johnson is more likely to be recognisable with the target audience, mature men, as he was at his most successful many years ago and so young people may not know who he is. Holly Johnson's expression and pose is strong and powerful, which is how many men would like to appear. There is shadowing surrounding the border of the image to again reinforce the 3D appearance. By making the page appear more 3D, the reader will feel as though the celebrities that they idolise are within reach.

How are words used on this page?

The title 'Q Contents' is in white and black on a red background. The target audience will be familiar with the word contents and so will know what to expect from the page. 'Issue 283' is also positioned at the top of the page which will appeal to mature readers, as it shows the high amount of issues released, which suggests Q is a high-end quality magazine. The text is all neatly arranged and the headings make the page easy to use. There is quite a lot of text which suggests the type of reader is someone mature and intelligent. The headings are in bold font and are underlined in red to make them stand out. Most of the headings are short and give a clear indication of what pages are included in the magazine. The page numbers are positioned to the left of each heading, making it clear and easy for the reader to navigate from the contents. There are also numbers that vary in size arranged next to and on top of the relevant image.

Language

The headings are all relatively basic, however the summaries that follow use slightly more sophisticated language. By using the word 'REGULARS' as a heading, the magazine can relate on a more personal level to loyal audience members who have purchased the magazine before. The word is also often seen and heard when referring to the regular customers of a pub or bar. Stereotypically we think of mature men as the main type of people that regularly visit pubs and bars, and so using this word helps the magazine to relate to this targetted age group of males.

Overall Impression

The page overall has a smart, yet busy layout. You get the impression that the page has been designed for a more mature, sophisticated audience, however it does still very much radiate a modern and current vibe. The random, overlapping arrangement of images suggests the magazine is packed full and so someone who has a great interest in music will be more than engrossed. The rock image is portrayed through colour as well as the images and headings showing both current and past successful artists. This allows the magazine to relate to people of various ages (as well as the obvious target audience) who all have a passion for rock/indie music.

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