Analysis of 2 contents pages

Q October 2008
It is a very simple layout with an image and caption and the contents down one side. At the top the banner only says 'Contents' and the date of the magazine. The black background against the white words make it stand out and creates a good contrast with the white of the whole page.
All the writing is the same font, this is to make sure the page is not busy and is easy to read.
Like my prelim contents page it has headings to block things together, however, there are only 2, again, so it is not busy. There is a group of things that are always in the magazine and things that are only in this issue.
The big picture of the band 'The Courteeners' shows that there is an exclusive article about them inside, the image is the first thing the reader sees, so they are drawn to this and want to find out more.
Also, there is another section of contents page which also draws the readers eye. The heading is black not red, which sets it apart, showing that, like 'The Courteeners' it is an exclusive.
I like this style of contents page.


Kerrang! November 2008

This contents page is a lot busier and harder to read. However, it shows a lot of what is inside which may be interesting and exciting for the reader.
Most of the contents page is made up of pictures, which create most of the colour on the page.
There is an editorial at the top, but it is in small writing and not obvious, so people may not notice it.
The biggest picture of 'The Bronx' is obviously the thing they want the reader to see first. However it is only on page 22, so they have to read everything before it in the magazine. With other images they are not so big but together they are still obvious and interesting. Each picture has a caption to give information.
The actual contents are very small ad pushed to the side, however, because of the contrast between the colour pictures and just the black and yellow they are hard to miss. Also, when you turn the page they are the thing you touch, therefore see. These contents are also grouped under headings, although there are a lot more, they are still easy to read. I am likely to use this in my own contents page.