Research in Similar Products: Contents Page Analysis

This is an annotated Contents page of a the Top of the Pops magazine where I have 

analysed the layout, the photography and the colour scheme, all of which come together for a successful contents page.

Layout:

 The heading located at the top of the page fills the full width of the page. It is clear and indicates that below the magazines contents can be found laid out. The use of 'Inside the mag' suggests that the all the features are talked about as it shows everything that can be read. Each column indicating pages and there features have a heading, for example 'We <3 boys' this makes navigation around the magazine easier. By also categorising the pages based on the groups they fit in will allow readers to go to the section that they are interested in reading. The contents are listed in a vertical format or in columns, this is usual for magazine contents pages.

Photography:

 Instead of using a single image multiple are used. The main image is a copy of the front cover. This is used to point out the page numbers that correspond to the stories on the cover. This is clever as it gets rid of the need to have to explain the stories again on the contents page, it also allows the reader to focus on the story they want - is can be easily found. The use of the picture of the front cover also acts as tool for navigation - it makes it a lot easier to find your desired page/topic of choice.

Colour:

 An array of bright colours are used on the page, which correspond with the target audience. The use of highlighting certain stories and page numbers allows the readers attention to be drawn to particular features. Pink is also used as the chosen colour for the page numbers around the page, this furthermore shows the magazine theme colour.