Research - Conventions Of The Contents Page Of Q Magazine

Yet again I have decided to choose a more entertainment driven production to also analyse for the same reasons as previously mentioned. Q magazine is another music orientated publication aimed at a similar audience (age and interest wise stereotypically) to the magazine I will be producing. Unlike the college magazine's contents page, Q have gone with a large image, similar to the one you would expect on the front page of most magazines. The image dominates the page and leaves only little room on one side for the actual contents. These contents are set out in an easily legible emboldened black font, set against a clear white background - somewhat making up for the small size of the font. In a strap line stretching along the very top of the contents page is the Q brand logo - this on the same page of a large image of popular musician James Blunt aids to connote the two, giving the impression Q always get the big names and is popular - just like James Blunt. Also on show in the masthead is the date 'Nov 05' - not only does this provide context when looking back at a later date it also tells us the production is a monthly magazine. In contrast to the text in black stating the content shown inside the magazine is the page number it can be found in red - simplifying the task of finding the page number. A striking convention of both magazines (Q and College) is that only three colours are used throughout the contents page (barring images). This is without doubt a deliberate ploy to make this essential page as clear on the eye as possible.