14th November 2011

   I have now started looking at the contents pages of several existing magazines to get ideas for the layout of my own.
   I have again looked at the magazine 'Billboard' to see how their contents page is laid out. The page is divided into different sections. The left shows a column, scaling the length of the page, which shows the music chart for that week, a feature of the magazine as it is a magazine for the charts in the USA. To the top right of the page is the title 'Contents' which is shown in a bold font in upper case, to make it stand out. The page then features the contents of the magazine in a list of short bursts of information to show what these pages are about. These are all numbered so that the reader can find them. These contents are split up into sections on the page with various sub-headings to categorize them. These sub-headings, along with the lines used to decide up the page, have the same blue colour as in the masthead title on the cover. This blue appears to be used on all the contents pages of Billboard. This has been used as it creates a sense of identity for the magazine, making the reader know that it is the same magazine.

   These particular contents pages each show four images. Three of which have been lined up below the title and another larger image appears below. Each photo represents an article within the magazine and features a number on so that the reader knows where the article is. Instead of just having writing on the contents page, pictures are used as the grab the reader's attention, more so than text. For some magazines, a photo may be used in the contents page alongside text. However, others such as this one show only the photo. The pictures show a variety of different shots of different people. This makes the page look more interesting and makes each individual picture stand out more.

   I have now drawn out a rough design for my contents page on paper. I have decided that I want it to be over two pages as I feel that it would be too compact to fit onto one page. I want to use at least four diverse pictures at various different sizes over the two pages. I have decided to go for a layout similar to that if Q Magazine as I feel that it is very sophisticated and appeals to both genders. 

I have created a rough layout of the contents page on the computer using Serif DrawPlusx3. The left page so far consists of the title 'Contents' in bold lettering and a column down the middle left hand side with a larger picture next to it. At the bottom there will be a smaller photo on the left and the information to go with that photo next to it. The second page of the contents will feature more images in the upper left hand column and more feature s alongside on the right. At the bottom there will be a feature to subscribe to the magazine at a discounted price and I have not yet decided what will go at the bottom right of the page.