Deconstruction of Contents Pages

Georgia Leaper

Use of plugs:The front cover uses pugs to attract the audience’s attention and disperse a short piece of information. By saying “for your eyes only” the pug suggests a sense of exclusivity to the magazine and makes the reader feel special. The use of colour conveys the happiness the reader would gain by reading the magazine as the colour yellow has connotations of happiness as it is associated with sunshine.

Editorial note:It is a code and convention of magazines to include an editorial note in their contents page. This is where the editor writes a summary of what is included in the issue. It would also include a photo of the editor next to the writing. Here the target audience of young girls is portrayed as the editorial box is very child friendly. The photo of the editor is a group shot of her and the members from One Direction (a popular boy band) and the editor’s name has been shortened to ‘Mal’. By using a nickname as apposed to her full name, a friendlier and more youthful element is added to the magazine, which again appeals to the audience. Colour scheme:Again, the colour scheme conveys the intended audience, by using a blue, yellow and white. The colours convey the genre of the magazine as they are associated with summer and happiness; the colours are associated with beaches as the yellow conveys sand whilst the blue conveys the sea. Pop music is very upbeat and positive, therefore the colours reflect this genre.

Web address:The magazine uses horizontal integration as it promotes its website at the bottom of the page. By doing this the audience will read their magazine as well as visit their online page, thus expanding their audience and number of readers.

Masthead:By including the masthead the reader is reminded of the magazine they are reading. It is a code and convention to include the masthead on the contents page and by following this rule the magazine suggests that it is not rebellious and further reflects its target demographic of mainstreamers. Page numbers: Many of the stories are separated and collected in a box towards the bottom left of the page which creates a tidy feel to the contents page and clearly tells the reader which page each article is on. They have placed the more exciting articles down the right side of the magazine and have included a photo to match as well as a quote. The big numbers and variation of colour/font makes the articles look more attractive and interesting which consequently appeals to the reader and generates more interest towards these articles. Graphology:By including lots of pictures along the bottom of the page the magazine again conveys the target audience. The magazine is aimed towards young girls who do not want to read lots and would use the magazine as an escapism from school (uses and gratifications theory). By including lots of pictures, it makes the writing look less and would make the reader feel more relaxed and more willing to read on.

Editorial note:It is a code and convention of magazines to include an editorial note in their contents page. This is where the editor writes a summary of what is included in the issue. It would also include a photo of the editor next to the writing. Here the editor reflects the genre of music the magazine is based around. Her dark hair and the black font together convey the severity of rock music which would appeal to the intended audience.

Masthead:By including the masthead the reader is reminded of the magazine they are reading. It is a code and convention to include the masthead on the contents page and is usually at the top of the page. By placing their masthead in the middle of the page, Kerrang! suggests to that they are rebellious as they do not follow the rules. Consequently this would appeal to the target demographic of individualists as the group strive to stand out of the crowd and be different.

The image:The photograph compliments the front cover and it is clear their main double page spread will be focused on Shinedown. The action shot of the band on stage during a performance conveys the genre of the magazine as rock music is associated with being quick and in the moment. As well as this, the magazine breaks a code and convention again as you cannot see the model’s face. Again this conveys the genre of music as the breaking

of rules creates a rebellious feel to the page. Rock has connotations of rebellion as it is associated with being outside of the hegemonic norm and being loud and in-your-face.

Font:The magazine uses a continuous font. This makes the contents page different from other magazines which may use a variation of fonts to make their content look more interesting. By keeping it simple, Kerrang! suggests that their content is interesting enough and does not need the fuss of visual aspects. As well as this, it gives the page a structured and clutter free feel. By using a different layout to other magazines, Kerrang! conveys their target demographic of individualists.

Pugs:They have used a number of pugs next to articles which are featured on the front cover. This generates interest towards the article as these are their main stories and therefore will appeal to the reader the most. By placing the pug, it attracts the audience’s attention and disperses a short piece of information to them.

Articles:By sorting the articles into sub headings the reader is informed of where specific articles are and would help them to find articles specified to their interest. This also compliments the tidy layout of the page.

Advertisement:Here Kerrang! uses a multi platform approach to distribute their magazine and urge readers to subscribe to their magazine. By featuring the advertisement in their magazine, they do not have to pay any one to advertise the subscription. The imperative tone of the advert would make readers feel more inclined to sign up to the subscription and by seeing it in the magazine they would believe as they are enjoying reading it so much this time they should get it again and subscribe.

Editorial note:It is a code and convention of magazines to include an editorial note in their contents page. This is where the editor writes a summary of what is included in the issue. It would also include a photo of the editor next to the writing. Here the target audience of teenage girls is portrayed through the use of colour and images. The editor has been photographed with a big smile, which suggests she is a nice person as her facial expression has connotations of kindness.

Graphology:The model for the central image of the front cover has been photographed again on the contents page in a different pose. Tulisa is a well known pop star who appeals and reflects to the audience of mainstreamers and aspirers. The model also has connotations of Barbie, because of her blonde hair and pink lips. This reinforces the target demographic of young girls who would want to read about Tulisa as they played with dolls when they were younger and now that they are growing into teenagers they would be interested in Tulisa as she is similar to Barbie. The model conforms to the male gaze as she is looking directly into the lens of the camera and suggests that Tulisa is mainstream. This furthers the idea that the magazine is aimed towards a target demographic of mainstreamers.

Articles:The articles have been divided into three sections to create a clear and tidy feel to the page, as well as making it easier for the reader to find articles specific to their interest. They have followed a code and convention by using a variation of fonts, colours and sizes, which makes the page look more interesting.

Page title:“Contents” portrays the intended audience as it uses a variety of colours. By continuously switching between pink and white it is clear the magazine is aimed towards young girls. Not only does pink convey female qualities and white portray innocence, the different colours reflect the range of articles in the magazine. This compliments the theory that females prefer a range of different elements whereas men are more one-track-minded and precise.

Masthead: By including the masthead the reader is reminded of the magazine they are reading. It is a code and convention to include the masthead on the contents page and is usually at the top of the page. By placing their masthead in the here they are suggesting appealing to an audience of mainstreamers who usually stick to the hegemonic norm. The typography of the masthead is very rounded and looks like bubble writing. This conveys the target demographic whilst the pink and white has connotations of youth and innocence.