Conventions of a Contents Page

• Title
• Arranged in columns, usually 2-3
• One main picture relating to a feature article.
• Secondary Images
• They have page numbers on the pictures which anchors them to the written contents
• Name of the magazine is at the top, issue date and the word contents
• Subscription and contact information
• Sometimes an editors letter
• Contents divided into catergories and headings used to identify each catergory.
• Image of the front cover of the magazine
• Simple colour scheme
• Photography is credited for the front cover
• Interesting and varied photographs
• Features and regulars - main catergory headings
• Bottom has page number followed by title and issue date, really small font, often followed by a web address
• Usually one or two pages, no more

Contents Page Draft

Looking at my contents page what stands out to me the most is my main image as it is the top centre of the page, it is therefore the first thing you see. This is important because it is the same feature story (although a different image) as on the front cover, so it needs to be the main focus on the contents. I also like the arrangement of my secondary images for my other feature stories, these are sectioned off above the subscription plug. This is also something i particularly like, I found this idea in an NME magazine. I used different colours to represent different social media, creating my own web addresses. I also shrunk images from the front cover drafts I made, which looks eye-catching as the readers know exactly what they are subscribing to.

I dislike that my text for the feature stories may be too large, if I made it smaller I could fit on more feature stories which is more realistic on a contents page. However, it is clear and some magazines do tend to have few stories on the contents page. I also didn't edit all of my secondary images, I only edited numbers 24, 22, 12 and 41. These are the largest images therefore it isn't too obvious. 

Before creating my contents page I looked into the conventions I need to include, these are:

• Masthead and title
• Main Image
• Secondary images, at least 5.
• Page Numbers
• Feature stories - main feature story from the front cover
• Subheadings
• Contact details/social media
• Pull quotes
• Write in columns

I feel that I've used all of these, although the columns may not be noticeable as there is one main column rather than two. This is because I have used several images. I have made a plug about subscriptions and also another plug (page 36) about giving away free music. This is to attract a wider audience as freebies are always a bigger impulse to buy a magazine. My main image is of the same person on my front cover, wearing the same clothes but with a different pose to show that there are several images of her because she's important in this issue. My page numbers are all the same size except for the main feature story where the numbers are larger, this is to also show importance and to dominate the page - it also filled in a blank space.

I have chosen this for my main image because Dionne is dressed sweet and innocent although her pose says otherwise. Her hair is natural with a 'rough edge' and she is pouting which shows attitude, this is supported by the pull quote telling us that she is a 'psycho'. Her lips are red which is iconic for the colour scheme. I have chosen the other images because some of them include red, and they are also original images of bands that I have seen. The fan photo engages the readers because they will be the similar age and can relate as they are also fans.

I chose this layout because I have seen something similar in an NME magazine. I wanted the main feature story to be at the top of the page, although it merged with the other secondary images. Therefore, I put a line between them to divide them; just as I have with the feature stories on the right-hand side. I think that this looks clear and tidy, it also fills space. I chose this colour scheme because it is the same as my front cover draft. This is crucial so that there is continuity throughout. I used 5 fonts in total, this is realistic because having too few fonts looks plain and amateur. Too many fonts also looks too busy and can be confusing for the reader. The fonts I have chosen should reflect my genre, I used 'Arial' for the descriptive text as it is popular and basic. I chose a different font for my subscription plug so that it stood out on the page, it is also in yellow which is the most eye-catching colour to humans. This font makes it look more appealing and fun, therefore the readers will be easier enticed. I used the same font for my masthead and pull quote so that there is a noticeable contrast on the page. They are both red which connotes danger, suggesting that my magazine and/or the main feature story are somewhat loud or powerful.