Analysis Of My Contents Page

Contents page analysis

For this task I had to create my own magazine contents page, using my own photograph. I am happy with my contents page, because I think it looks genuine and professional - because I used software such as Photoshop and Microsoft word to create the contents page I wanted.

When I was taking the photograph for the contents page, I decided to use the same model that I used for the front cover, to make the pages link together.  I had the model look into the camera lens to create a direct mode of address. This was to make the audience feel more involved in the page, and feel like it is directed at them individually. When taking the photograph I tried many different angles and poses, but I chose to have the model standing up and I used a fan to make her hair look windswept.  I did this because it created a more casual and relaxed feel to my magazine, which makes the audience assume that the contents of the magazine will be informal and friendly because the pose, and the casual clothing of the model creates that mood.

When I was designing the layout of the contents page, I chose to put the title at the top left hand corner so that it is easy to see, and clearly shows what is on the page. I chose to use the same colour scheme in the background and in the text so that the magazine would look more professional and more visually attractive - so the audience would be more interested in reading the magazine. My cover uses the rule of three to create a visually attractive composition that is easy for the audience to navigate – with the image on the left and all the information on the right. This will make the audience more likely to read the magazine because it does not look confusing, and is easy to read and understand.

I chose to use the same font as the front cover to make the contents page link to the cover, so the magazine looks more professional and uses a house style all the way through. I chose to make some of the text larger than the rest, for example, I made the title ‘contents’ and the first sentence of each page title larger than the text beneath it. I did this to make the more important pieces of information stand out, and to give the audience ‘teasers’ as to what is inside – making them more willing to read further than the contents page. I also decided to use the same colours as the front cover (the pink in the title and page numbers) I did this so that the contents page would link to the cover better and create a more genuine looking magazine. Also, the change in colour for the title and page numbers makes them stand out more so that the audience can easily see the important information.

I used a patterned, black and white background because it matches the style of the front cover, and does not distract the audience from the central image and pages. I chose a floral pattern because it also matches the front cover, and links to the fashion genre of the magazine. I used Photo Shop to create shadows to make it look like the model was actually standing in front of that surface. I did this to make the magazine look more professional and attractive, so that the audience would be more likely to pay attention and buy it.

On my contents page, I have page numbers and each page title. I chose to include subject specific lexis like ‘Fashion’, ‘hair’ and ‘hot’ I did this because it makes the genre of the magazine clear to the audience and it links to the cover lines on the front cover. I also used the Magazine title ‘jewel’ above the ‘contents’ because it promotes the magazine and reminds the audience of which magazine they are reading. I also included a website address so that the audience has the opportunity to view it online. This will encourage people who do not buy copies of the magazine to read it online instead.

The research I did previously helped me to create a contents that looks professional and has all the information needed for a contents page. I researched visual codes and lexical choices that other contents pages use, so that I would be able to incorporate similar techniques into my own work and make it link to my cover to create a genuine looking magazine.

I feel that my strengths lie with the visual aspect of the contents page - for example - the image and how it links to the front cover. I am happy with the outcome of the contents page because it looks professional due to my use of Photo Shop to blend the image with the background to create an interesting contents page.

However, if I were to do the cover again I would improve my Photo Shop skills first so that the shadows look more genuine - and so there are fewer streaks where I have painted the shadows in. I would also consider including more information for each page, to give the audience a little information on what to expect on each page, so they know what they want to read about.