Q Contents Analysis

‘Q’ Magazine’s contents page is in-fact split over two pages. The Title of the Contents page is on the left corner of the left page, in a black, sans serif font, which looks simplistic and suggests that the magazine is viewed by a contemporary audience, as this corresponds with choice of font. The title is also partially covered by an artist, and this shows once again that the Magazine is well established, as regular audience members will recognize that this is the contents page. Under the Title, there sits a sub-heading entitled ‘Q Magazine February 2013′ in black and red sans serif font, which Immediately connotes that the left hand page of the contents, is purely based on a preview of the artists and stories that are going to appear in this months issue, which the audience would find appealing as they are aware of what they are going to be possibly buying and where to look for certain stories/artists. The images of the artists on the page, are neatly arranged in a modern, stylistic collage and are labeled with captions that give reference to page numbers to inform the audience of where to look for particular stories/artists and give an insight into what thew article is going to be about. All of the artists wear appropriate clothes that portray their genre and make them look professional at the same time. In pictures of ‘Biffy Clyro’, ‘David Bowie’ and ‘Say Hello to Palma Violets’, the audience are given direct address. Whereas in the other images, the artists are either posing, performing or in the middle of doing something. Particularly in the image of Liam  Gallagher, the caption reads ‘Liam Gallagher, cosmic adventurer? Heavy!’,  a sarcastic phrase which criticizes him directly. The use of sarcastic language here connotes that the readers of the magazine are in-fact in the older teens – young adult age range, as they would understand this phrase and the meaning behind it. On the right page of the Contents, there is a clear layout, which follows conventions by having three individual columns, two of the same size and one wider. Included in these columns are sub-headings in sans serif font, these being: Cover Story, Features, Regulars and Q Review. Under the sub-headings are small blocks of text next to page numbers, in order to take the reader straight to a specific story.  A single image for each sub-heading is also added to anchor the main story/ies of that section. For example, under ‘features’ there is a medium long shot picture of Rihanna’s ‘pure hell’ and a snap-shot of the new ‘Come as you are!’ rock musical, including songs by Nirvana. Under ‘regulars’, there is a close up shot of Paloma Faith and under ‘Q Review’ is an extreme close up shot of Big Boi.  Slightly over-lapping this image is a Boost, stating that ‘Q covers the best of everything’. This is used to increase popularity and circulation, as audience members learn that there is in-fact other reviews beside music. At the bottom of the ‘Q review’ column, there is a black banner including white, instructive, sans serif text saying ‘Subscribe’, and an image of ‘Q Magazine’s’ current front cover, which is used to promote the magazine and entice readers to subscribe for a cheaper price.

This is the contents page for the November 2012 issue of ‘Q’ magazine, which goes over a double page. The use of having the contents over a double page means there is more room to space things out and arrange them in a way which doesn’t make the magazine look too clumsy and busy. On the contents page there are seven images, plus several illustrations and a picture of this issue’s front cover. The seven images are a mix of photo shoots and live pictures. Live pictures are images that are taken from gigs or festivals, there are two live pictures used on this contents page, one is of a male singer from a band performing, while the other is of a male artist socialising with fans at a festival. Having live pictures on the contents page appeals to the target audience of young adults, as they can relate to the image and familiarise with the type of locations the pictures are taken. On the other hand, photo shoots are pictures that are taken, of artists, in a studio with professional lighting equipment, these types of images can appeal to the target audience of young adults, as they give the magazine a professional and modern look. Photo shoots can also make the artist appear more attractive and therefore more appealing to the target audience, as they would admire the artist and view them in a more positive way. An example of this is the image of Noel Gallagher, in the bottom left of the contents page, as males would idolise him and women could be, arguably, more attracted to him.

Some of the images on the contents page are used to create an enigma. For example, the image for the feature ‘GENRE SWAP SHOP’ is of Maxïmo Park who are a rock band. However, instead of being with the conventional props for a rock band, such as guitars and microphones, they are placed behind two keyboards and a laptop. This creates an enigma to the audience who are familiar with the genre Maxïmo Park is and makes them wonder why they are using that equipment. Furthermore, the enigma created by this image makes the target audience read the subheading and information, the subheading ‘GENRE SWAP SHOP’ makes it clear that there are multiple genres featured and so appeals to a wider audience. Then the information uses direct address ‘Hey bands, try a new style!’ this talks directly to the target audience of this feature, ‘bands’ and makes them feel included in the feature, like it was written only for them. The next sentence ends on an ellipsis, which builds tension and encourages the audience to read the feature and see what happened.

The ‘Q’ contents page allocates a subheading and page number for each story; the subheadings are sorted out into different categories. Across the top of the contents page are most of the stories featured on the front cover, they all include an image, which suggests to the audience they are the important articles in the issue. On the bottom left of the first page is a section categorised as the ‘COVER STORY’, this is where the main cover line on the front cover is elaborated and tells the audience which page it is featured on. As the cover story has its own section on the contents page and is boxed off, it suggests to the audience that it is the main focus and the most important story in the issue. Another category the subheadings are divided into is ‘REGULARS’, which show the audience the stories that occur throughout each issue and do not change. The last category is ‘The Q Review’ on the far right, the information is written in black however the artists in this paragraph are highlighted in red, this makes it quicker for the audience the see who is included in the review. The categories used to divide the subheadings help the audience navigate through the magazine quicker. There is a mix of sans serif and serif fonts on the page, however the larger subheadings use sans serif font to catch the reader’s eye, under each subheading the smaller text is written in serif font. On this contents page two subheadings use rhetorical questions, this technique also appears 6 more times in the information of the stories. Rhetorical questions, such as the sub heading ‘What if they never became famous?’ are used to make the audience think, making the audience think about what you are writing will then encourage them to read the article. Another common technique, I have noticed in the text on the contents page, is the use of personal pronouns, such as ‘Have your say!’ this makes the audience feel they have an impact on the magazine and that the magazine also has consideration to what the audience think. The text on the contents page also uses a lot of exclamation marks; this makes the audience read the magazine in an active tone, making the stories seem more exciting.

The title of the contents page is on the top left page saying ‘CONTENTS’, in a sans serif, black, bold capitalised font. It is the biggest text on the page and therefore making it stand out the most to the reader. Underneath the title it says ‘Q MAGAZINE – NOVEMBER 2012’ making it clear to the audience the magazine they are reading and reminding them of the issue month they have bought. However, unconventionally, there are 5 small illustrations of music artists who are sitting and standing around the contents title. It does not say who the artists are, but this would appeal to the target audience who would be able to recognise them. On the other hand it could appeal to the secondary target audience, as they wouldn’t be able to tell who the illustrations are of, yet it creates an enigma and leaves them guessing. Therefore, the arrow pointing to the illustrations saying ‘Rock Wildlife of the British Isles – see page 28’ will appeal to the audience as they are navigated to where they will get an explanation. Even though, this is rare to see on a title of any kind, I like the effect the illustrations have, as they give character to the text and creates an authentic feel. A bigger illustration is used for one of the features, which is a drawing of an artist in a mocking way, however this is so the audience knows what they have drawn is unrealistic and creates humour.

The main colours used on the contents page is red, black, white and a bit of grey, however it is clear that the house style is red and black as these colours are consistent throughout. At the bottom right of the contents page is a section telling the audience to ‘SUBSCRIBE’; this is an imperative, ordering the audience to do something and is the only large piece of information that is in front of a black shape and so making it standout. In the information it says ‘The world’s greatest music mag brought to your door at a ludicrously low price? Take me to page 84 now!’ this asks a question and answers as if it was the reader themselves; already giving the answer to the audience as a way of making them go to that page. There is an editor’s letter in the magazine, however it is not on the contents page, it is on the page following. They allow a whole page for the editor’s letter, with a list of the Q magazine team, with publishing information etc. Not having the editor’s letter on the contents page allows for more space on the page and also gives a page that is dedicated to staff.  Dead space is used around the edge of the contents page, creating a border, which makes it look more sophisticated and also gives space in the bottom corners of the pages for the page numbers, Q logo and month of the issue which is repeated through-out the magazine.

Q Contents Conventions

I have found that the Q's contents pages have followed the same conventions again in terms of theme. These features include: The use of colour (Red/Black/White) creating an recognisable identity through the colour palette; A large banner and contents title (red); Page numbers on each image (for a personal scrap-book feel, the images often being titled); Same fonts used for various sections (sub-titles/captions) - recognisable group fonts and the sizes of the photographs which they use, establish the main features and focuses within the magazine issue.