Contents Page- Ciara ♫

Analysis of Magazine Contents Pages

Contents Page One

Vibe- October 2008

What mood/impression do the colours create?
The ways in which this contents page of Vibe Magazine that I have been analysing has a detailed and unique impression and mood set to the target audience of the type of music genre for the magazine. I will be explaining the entire contents page by justifying the use of colours and how they have been used, how they contrast or contrast against each other to give the contents page of the magazine a different and exclusive result than other magazines, this magazine appeals and attracts a target audience of young teenagers and young adults who are interested and listen to urban/dance music.

To begin with, upon the contents page, the background is clear but is a fade away effect from the top starting with a dark black and then fading down to black and almost white, this makes the contents on the page and the image contrast with each other to make it easier for readers to read and attract them for the right reasons.

The title is placed at the top and is in bold, big lettering in white, as I have said before it contrasts against the black at the top and then fades away. The text shown on the left side of the magazine is in dark but bold colouring which is also easy to read and attractive without having to be too colourful and over the top like some magazines which tend to seem cluttered most of the time. As sometimes the colours do not contrast and go well with each other.

The colouring of the model ‘Ciara's’ shoe is also a dark purple colour, which once again contrasts and make the attraction on the model and text, as it is a bold statement against the text which is also bold and against her legs, so also easy to read.
The fonts are bold, but also seem like a nice neat handwriting but created in a way once again to be distinguished clearly for readers and to attract the correct readers.

Design*

How do the words and images fit together?

What fonts and styles of lettering have been used, and what do they suggest?
The design which is shown on the Vibe contents page featuring with a main image of ‘Ciara’, has a clear design of the top heading quoting ‘Contents’, is cut down in sections underneath each other, shown as CO-NTEN-TS. This is a bold and an upfront font which makes it clear to read and knows what the page includes and what type of page it is. The top heading is a different font to the text which is shown below on the left hand side, as it has to separate itself from one another so the readers will not get confused of what connects with which text.
The words and images on this contents page fit together very well, for instance as you can see from the image, they have positioned the model ‘Ciara’ in a way that they can also fit the features of the magazines around her. This is a very good piece of creativity shown to attract the correct target audience.
The designs are plain and clear also but show a modern feel to the magazine overall and very up to date, they have also designed it in a way so that it is not cluttered and there is not much to read it just gets straight to the point for the readers to know what will be inside the magazine. Overall it is a good indication for what’s going to be inside, and interest’s the target audience readers of the magazine.

Images*

Who or what is featured, and what does it represent to their specific chosen audience?
There is only one image shown on Vibe Magazines contents page and this is a long shot of a well known music artist called, ‘Ciara’, this then shows the full image in a lot of detail which can be used for many different reasons, such as the way they are dressed so fashion, style of music by using the correct music artist. The image and text shown aren’t colourful like most contents pages, it is uncluttered and has clear bold black and white text. The heading separates itself from the text shown to indicate page numbers of different articles inside the magazine. This sets a representation to a specific target audience as the target audience being young teenagers and young adults aim at just getting to the point and to know straight away what they are going to read about and what they want to read in the magazine. The magazine features on the contents page are not really aimed at a male or female audience as it hasn’t got indication of many colours for this, but as there is a well know music artist, many young female adults will be attracted to this as she is dressed up to date and will then look up to her and want to read the stories inside.

Pose, style of hair, makeup*
The pose and image shown on this contents page inside, Vibe is one main image of a popular music artist ‘Ciara’ and is posing and positioned once again to fit all the different features around her on the contents page. She is lying down with her legs up in the air, and is sort of representing an expensive kind of genre for the magazine overall. Her clothing also sets a typical urban theme as it is quite revealing but unique at the same time and attracts the aimed target audience once again.
The pose and the way the image has been made are shown as 3D which makes the contents page much more interesting. Her hair style is long and drags across the floor also, her hair colour also contrasts well with the colours used as it is black and her makeup is also plain and natural, so not over the top with too many colours which can make the whole contents page not adjust well together, and can make readers and the target audience not be as attracted to it as they might of been if particular pieces of information and images were changed to adjust much more effectively.

How are the words used on the cover?
the contents page within Vibe magazine, does not have much text but there are main parts which stand out, such as the heading ‘contents’ is in a large text, bold and connects with the whole page, so it doesn’t clash and represent as boring. The colour of the heading and text are themed as black and white. This is without any patterns which show to the readers and plain and easy to read text so they can just get straight to the point of what they want to read. The text and background is a black and dark grey colour which makes the heading seem and suggests to readers that it is important and can be seen from a distance without it being difficult to read if small. The words and text used underneath the heading show the popular and well known music artists which are going to be included within the magazine. This attracts the specific target audience of the magazine so they will buy it as they know what they will be reading once purchased.

Size and layout- are they big enough to be read from a there distance?
The size and layout of the contents page within Vibe magazine, are large and presentable for all different types of readers, it is eye-catching to be read and seen by a distance without getting uninterested and not wanting to read on through the magazine. The reasons why they will stand out to readers are from all the points that I have explained and justified above by the contents page.

Language*

How does it address the reader and grab his/her attention?

What language features can you identify?
The ways that the magazine is addressed specifically to the target audience readers is by the short snappy heading and text to follow through to the magazine. The heading and text is not overly long and attracts the audience as they can read it quickly without having difficulty in understanding specific text.

Overall impression*

Does it have a good indication of what is inside?
The overall impression of this contents page within Vibe magazine is for many reasons due to the short and snappy heading and the way the images and text fit together. I have explained all this above but it has fashion statements to urban music, the font is modern and up to date, her fashion and makeup is unique which attracts a young teenage/adult audience and is also aimed at girls not boys.