Codes and ConventionsContents Page Gemma Lovitt

Title

Vibe Title: The title has been used within the contents page as it is a key convention when producing the majority of magazines. However not all magazines specifically say contents as people can usually indicate from the rest of the text on the page that this is the case. The title symbolises that this is the page where the reader can be navigated to particular sections or features that they have an interest in. It connotes what will be included on the page being page numbers, subheadings, images plugs etc. In this title they have stuck to basic typography as the colours and fonts that have been used are simple and not tacky looking. This is because it has stuck to the house style of the magazine ensuring that it all maintains a professional standard. This appeals to the audience as it informs them and helps them navigate easily and effectively around the magazine leading them to not loose interest and not have any difficulties when trying to understand the meaning of the page.

Page Numbers
Page Numbers- Page numbers have been used as they are a key aspect when producing a magazine. However even though they are included magazines never say the word page for example page number2. Therefore it keeps the format of simplicity as it only states the number and nothing else. Page numbers symbolises what information is on the certain page. For instance page 2 might be the behind the scenes section. Page numbers are simply used for quick and effective navigation allowing the audience not to have any difficulties. Furthermore the colours of page numbers always change depending on the genre and the house style the magazine is sticking to. For the magazine on the right they have used red for the page numbers as it catches the audience eye ensuring that they dont miss it, and also it sticks to the house style that Q are well known for being white black and red. It appeals to the audience as it makes the page look clearer and therefore the reader dont loose interest and give up trying to find the page they want.

Heading

Headings: Headings are used throughout any contents page as it sections the magazines into specific features. This makes it clearer for the audience to find exactly what department or topic they want to look up that interests them the most. They symbolise and give the reader an insight on what else is included within the rest of the magazine. The colours of the headings also stick to the house style of the magazine therefore the colour of the features background always depends on the colours used throughout the magazine.

Summaries Of Each Article.

Summary of each article- The summary of each article symbolises a condensed introduction of what is going to come up therefore acts like a small insight that engages the reader in more depth. It is a brief summary of what the section will be about, include and main things that come across as the most important. The summary of the article is there to inform the reader and maintain their interest hoping that they end up purchasing the magazine therefore increasing the profit figures. The typography of the text just maintains simple following the same style font and colours as the rest text included with the rest of the magazine to make sure that it doesnt look tacky and complex.

Photograph Of Main Artist

Photograph of main artist: The photograph of the main artist has been included to link in with the genre of the magazine and to get the interest of the reader in more depth ensuring they become more engaged. The picture is also used to link in with the text giving a further insight on what the text is actually about and advertising. Most of the photographs are always in colour as if it was a normal shot taken. Similarly the photograph of the artist is also used to appeal to the audience as it may be a certain band or artist that they have relation to or that share a particular interest.

Other images/photographs.
Other photographs- Other photographs within the contents page not including the photograph of the main artist or band have been used for further detail. This is because the other images allow the audience to get a further insight on who and what is coming up on particular pages and sections. All of the images link in with the rest of the text in the page usually portraying who else is included therefore appealing to a wider image. It appeals to a wider audience as if the reader doesnt have an interest in the main artist they can now see other bands that may grab there attention. As it appeals to a wider audience it can lead to more magazines purchased leading to the brand making a larger profit.

Date

Date- The date is simply there to inform the reader the date that the magazine was issued informing them with which magazine is the most current and up-to-date. Therefore it allows the reader to not get confused as they can tell straight away whether or not they have missed a magazine on a previous date or whether they are up to date with the current magazine issue. The date has also stuck to the house style of the magazine as it has kept to basic font and font colours being white therefore keeping to a professional standard and format. It appeals to the audience as it covers their personal information and are satisfied with when the information was issued.

Layout
Layout- The layout of contents pages have the tendency to follow the same format being ordered and set out in columns or blocks. Most contents pages follow this layout in order to be successful and effective as it is in a block format it allows the reader to easily read and navigate quickly and effectively to certain features or pages within the magazine. The colours used always match the house style of the magazine to make sure that it all looks like everything is linked together. The typography of the text (things such as the font size) always sticks to a small font ranging from 10-12. The layout appeals to the audience as they dont loose interest or fell intimidated from seeing too much text scattered all over the page, therefore by having it in columns maintains the interest and engages the reader giving them easy navigation.

Colour Scheme.
Colour Scheme- The colour scheme of the majority of contents pages are very similar to the colours used on the front cover. This is due to brands of magazines sticking to a house style which simply means only using 2-3 colours maximum throughout to keep it looking professional, and to stick to the colours that they usually use in all of their magazines issued. For example Q magazines always contain red throughout their magazines as people are used to the colours being linked with this brand. This appeals to the audience as the look of the magazine is very important, if they are not satisfied with the way the magazine has been presented then they are not going to bother spending their money on something that looks cheap and tacky.

New Media
New Media- New media such as advertising the brands facebook or twitter page is used to make sure that the brand is up to date with the current technology and social networking sites. By having this attracts a wider audience as it can grab the attention of people who are very in to technology. It also symbolises realism and professionalism informing the reader that the brand have more to offer than just their magazines therefore improving brand identity. The new media can appeal to the audience as if they want to know more information about the brand or magazine they can simply type in the web address or link given and are navigated straight away to further links and websites.

Never A Blank Space.

Never a blank space- Never having a blank space is used on many magazines when producing or designing as it makes the page look full therefore the audience can interpret that the magazine is a good value for money as they are getting good quality as it looks like the magazine contains a wide range of information and plenty of it. Also if their was blank space it would make the page look empty leading to not having a professional standard/format. If there were blank pages scattered across the page it would look like a load of information was missing therefore would loose the interest of the reader as they wouldnt want to purchase something they feel hasnt got the quality and information that meets their expectations.