Contents Construction

To start off my contents page, I basically set out where I wanted what pictures to go where.

I used the two models on my front cover as my main photo, and another photo I took of another model for another article.

I also re-used my front cover on my contents page to advertise subscription of my magazine.

I used a basic white background, so it was easier to edit on and didn't clash with the other colours I wanted to use, plus a black background seemed tacky.

I started placing the background for my headers on my contents next.

This broke down what I wanted to go where a little bit easier for myself when I came to including more text etc.

I used the same font for the Iconic on my contents as I did on my front cover, to keep the style and theme going throughout.

I also kept the whole black, red, and white theme as well as similar or same fonts.

Next, I included a bit more text.

Using the text tool on photoshop CS4, I was able to position where I wanted the text and how wide I wanted the text box to be etc.

I stuck with a white theme for the font colour for the Band Index and headers, as white on both red and black background stood out more than any other colour would.

The band index to me was a good feature to include on my contents. It shows what bands are included in the magazine and what type of genre the magazine is going for. 

The next step was to put in some writing for the articles etc.
For each article page number, I gave a brief description below of what that page was about. Using a different font, the description isn't as highlighted as the main attraction, which is the title.

I got the idea of an 'Artist Highlight' from Q Magazine. Giving Bloc Party a section on my contents page highlighted the genre of my magazine too.

I used the page numbers in a different font again, and colour, to highlight them and make them noticeable for readers.

FINISHING PRODUCT:
To complete my contents page, I added in the subscribe section by highlighting the important factors, such as the website, to grab the readers attention.

I also included an Editor's Comment in my contents page, to give the magazine a friendly and warm feel to it.

I also added a big 'SUBSCRIBE' to the small photo in the left hand corner, to notify to a reader that the magazine does a subscription.

Contents Page Analysis

The idea for my main article picture on my contents page was taken from the July 2010 issue of Q Magazine. The picture which includes Matt Bellamy and Bono facing each other showed power. I took this idea and adapted to it, being more fun and not so serious.

Whilst analysing Kerrang!'s contents page, I saw at the bottom of the page that there was a little note from the editor. I liked this idea as it gave the magazine a friendly atmosphere, and that the editors and people who work for Kerrang! thought about what their readers wanted. This idea I took for my own magazine. 

From NME magazine, to navigate someone to a certain part of the magazine, they used columns. This not only was a neat way in how to organise it, but looked professional too. I used this idea but changed the font and backdrop colour to suit the consistent style and colours used for my magazine.

The enlarged page numbers on the main picture for my contents also was a good idea. By enhancing the size and using a drop shadow for the number, it immediately gets the readers attention and directs them to that page, which is the idea of the number.

I took the idea of a 'Band Index' from NME contents page. The use of the band names in a small column on the side was not only relatively small but noticeable and gave a navigation for the magazine. The list of bands also gave you an idea of what genre the magazine was, due to what bands were included in the magazine. I used this idea for my own contents page but didn't include page numbers, just names of what bands were included in my magazine.