Magazine Contents Page Deconstructions

Contents page 1: XXL Magazine

 

Masthead
The masthead is positioned at the top of the page filling the width of the page using a black bold font most of the text is in lower case lettering apart from the A within "A-side". The masthead includes musical connotations "the A-side" referring to tapes that have two sides, the contents is continued on the next page using the masthead "the B-side".

Essential Information
The essential information is placed at the top and bottom of the page; the month of the issue is included behind the feature image within the thick underline of the masthead in white font against the black so that the information stands out, although in this instance with it being behind the feature image it suggests that the image of the artist is more important than the month of the issue. The bottom of the page next to the page number also includes the month of the issue as well as the magazine's website address in both so although the font is small, it still stands out.

Text
The text begins in the masthead bold underline with "Features" in brackets, this is used as a subheading rather than using the word contents. The features are then numbered using the page number that they begin on. The features begin with the cover story "time is money" in bold black text, a small paragraph in smaller font is then placed underneath this used to briefly explain the feature. The words "cover story" is placed next to the bold page number using white text on a square red background; this replicates the masthead on the cover of "XXL magazine" that follows the same theme, this is creating a brand image. This main feature is underlined, then the theme is continued with the various features following the same convention of the first feature with the title in bold and the brief explanation of the feature in smaller text underneath.

Feature Image

The feature image used is of one singular artist, Lil Wayne, you can derive from the brief description of the cover story feature that this artist was featured on the cover and is included in the main story. There is not too much that can be said regarding mis en scene with this image other than the costume of the artist, there is no specific costume, the artist has dressed as they would normally, this is giving the audience an impression of their style and is potentially used by the artists to promote brands that he is affiliated with by wearing them.

Contents Page 2: The Source

Masthead

The masthead on this contents page in comparison to the previous 'XXL' contents page is extremely low profile. The masthead 'Departments' is white on top of a red background although the intentions by the institution was not for this masthead to stand out against the rest of the text because the font used isn't bold although the coverlines are; this suggests that the masthead is of the least importance and the coverlines of the most importance. This contents page also breaks convention with having a smaller version of the cover page masthead placed in the bottom left of the page above the essential information. Although this 'additional' masthead is still relatively modest in size suggesting still the coverlines are still main focus for the audience.

Essential Information

The essential information much like that of the 'XXL' cover is in small font using white font against a black background so that it is still prominent but not the most important information for the audience on the page; the size of the texts suggests that it is not of much importance in the grand scale of the contents page.

Text

Following the same conventions of the 'XXL' contents page the coverlines are numbered according to their corresponding page number of each feature. Also following the same conventions there are very brief descriptions of each feature or 'Department' under each cover in smaller font giving the audience a brief description of the feature so that they feel inclined to read on. The text is also placed on top of half of the feature image with a red transparent background; this does follow the same conventions of the 'XXL' magazine with the placement of the coverlines.

Feature Image

The feature image from 'The Source' contents page differs greatly from the 'XXL' contents page although both on feature an image of one artist 'The Source' contents page uses a headshot of this artist rather than a full body photo to fill the entire page rather than having a background. Ice Cube's anger filled facial expression along with the use of a red background behind the coverlines in terms of mise en scene portray connotations of anger, rage, passion and attitude; these connotations fit perfectly with the musical genre and with Ice Cube in mind specifically, Gangster Rap.

Contents Page 3: Vibe

Masthead

The masthead follows the same conventions as the 'XXL' contents page in the sense that bold large text is used with an eye-catching colour combination used between text and background. The masthead breaks convention in comparison to the previous two contents pages in a various ways such as using the word "Contents" as the masthead, this suggests a more traditional approach towards the page. Also the layout of the masthead breaks the word "contents" down into three parts; this has been done by the institution because the contents pages are broken down into three, this identified by the '1/3' below the masthead.

Essential Information

This contents page again breaks convention by featuring no essential information such as the issue number or the date. Although it does feature, unlike the previous two contents pages, information such as who is featured in the main image, the photographer and information on what Kanye West is wearing in the feature image.

Text

The coverlines used also break convention in comparison to the previous two contents pages because they are used to arrange the features into various categories such as fashion and main features. Although they do follow convention using bold fonts so that they stand out in comparison to the rest of the page, also brief descriptions are again featured under each coverline.

Feature Image

The feature image of Kanye West follows the conventions of the previous two contents pages with their only being one artist featured. This image also has been edited with a black and white effect that follows the colour scheme of the entire page with only one different colour being a red heart. Red has been used again much like 'The Source' contents page to convey to the audience certain connotations with this picture specifically being connotations such as passion and love.

Summary

There are various conventions and techniques that I have identified whilst deconstructing these three magazine contents pages that I will use to influence how I will design and layout my contents page. The most prominent convention that was followed by all three magazines was the use of only one artist in the feature image; usually the artist that is also feature in the main story and on the front cover. Also the use of brief descriptions under each coverline is a feature that I will use in my contents page as this was also used by each magazine as it serves an important purpose to ensure that the audience are engaged and inclined to read the various stories and features. Finally the placement of the coverlines, 2 out of 3 of the deconstructed contents pages placed these around or next to the feature image, I am also going to do this rather than having them on top of my feature image I’d rather have the more defined separation so that the audience can read all of the text easily and at a quick glance.