2 magazine contents pages - similarities and differences

Q contents page

XXL contents page

On the right with have the XXL and on the left with have the Q contents page. They both feature a main artist by the size, Chris Brown covering the masthead and is at the centre of the page and on Q the image in the centre more to the right. Although Q has more images on its contents page which show more of the artist they are trying to display as they are a magazine that have various artists they will focus on. With different images the layout is more constructive, as they are placed and also separated with its page number appropriately. The bigger the font font for numbers and size of font the more important it seems for the reader. Whereas on XXL the images are not constructed as there is only one main image that is the background for the contents page.

Both magazines have the same colour scheme for its fonts and background: red, black and white (background). On Q's contents the font colour for the page numbers are white in a red box, for XXL the font is black which does not make the page numbers stand out like what Q has. They both have 'features' and have the issue date. For Q the font style goes with its layout, basic and constructive. XXL is also basic font but most of the writing is in bold to stand out as the tittle for that information given. The artists in the information are also in bold.

For structure, XXL has its information organised on one side and not separately like Q. Q is more organised and we know that this magazine will be aimed at a much older audience as a contents page more organised can help the reader to read in sections. The different sections can help the reader to see what other subjects they can read where XXL have it on one side which is basic and easier for a younger audience to look at.

For promotional features, Q promote "140 songs to download now!" in a big font size which readers will see straight away. Without thinking readers will think these songs will be free and will check them out. XXL does not have any promotional features except from its website found below, this also goes for Q. Both magazines have its logo on the page, XXL on the masthead and Q next to the contents. They are both average size so that it is seen. None of the contents pages include a letter form the editor.

Q's language is formal and so XXL. Sentences are very short but is very descriptive and interesting for the reader. They both try to reach out to us as the language is persuasive. XXL has short sentences, many commas used which tries to make the information seem like it is a lot. It has a variety of fonts used, for the quote on the left hand side of Chris Brown is in a different font.

Contents page genre analysis

For the main image, there is only one image on the contents page which will be based on the main article, the artist Kanye West. It takes up the entire page having a mid shot of the artist, it's stories will be under the title features. The image has a vintage look, the effect of black or white but it more of a grey look. The editor wanted only Kanye's heart to be the dominant colour on the page, red. The logo in the colour grey that can't be seen as much is at the background which the artist is covering.

For the colour scheme, it is very simple and plain using the basic black font. The 'contents' can be clearly seen by the reader but the word is separated into 3 rows as it is bigger than the rest of the words on the page. Overall the contents page is simple and plain. Also to include the design and layout of the contents page is simple, having the text only the right hand side of the page. Normally VIBE magazines would have much more colourful pages but wanted the colour to relate and represent in the way Kanye West in terms of his emotions, we know this because of his facial expression. They would also only have one main artist in its contents or maybe more if they trying to promote other artists.

The summarised information are only sectioned off into two, features and fashion. With the amount on the page, it doesn't seem like the magazine itself will not have that much content within it. Although this is is unlikely as it only have the main features on its contents so that it wants the reader to read what they put specifically. This is more of a focus to a younger audience who only want the main features from the artists they know that are maybe within the magazine.

The house style of this contents page is that there is only one colour used but in different shades which does not ruin the image. What VIBE likes to do is that they will allow its main image to cover the whole page which the reader will see at first glance of the page. Making it more appealing for the reader to look at before checking out the features found in the magazine. The font style is old fashioned which would go along with what Kanye West is wearing, making the contents page looking more vintage.

Photography case study

David Bailey

Biography

David Bailey is an English photographer which is he is one of the best photographers within the United Kingdom. He was born on the 2 January 1938 who lived in Leytonstone in London, he is now aged 76 present. At the start of his career he was a photographic assistant at the John French studio, after he became photographer for John Cole's Studio Five before he was then contracted to be a fashion photographer for the magazine British in the 1960. He helped to create "Swinging London" in the 60's. 2 years ago in 2012, BBC made a film of his story in New York 1962 photo shoot with a model and actress Jean Shrimpton.

David Bailey and Jean Shrimpton

The Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie

This is one of David's famous photos on the London notorious east end gangster's, the Kray twins. This is just one of the photo prints of the 1960 celebrities. It was a unique commercial release. This style of photography was very professional i the 60's as they didn't even have colored print images yet. One of the the twins is dominant at front which shows dominance out of the brothers and who is probably older, close up shot of both the brothers. 

On the left is another poster print which he the photographer himself is with the actress Jean Shrimpton.  Very much a lot of models wanted to have a photo shoot with with David Bailey as he was very handsome. He decided to have Jean as her model saying: "She was magic and the camera loved her too. In a way she was the cheapest model in the world – you only needed to shoot half a roll of film and then you had it. She had the knack of having her hand in the right place, she knew where the light was, she was just a natural" 

These two images are inspiring as I would like to use the elements within his photography, the old vintage look visually is unique and the black and white elements will simply be useful for my photography. You can see the dark shades on the faces which brings out the art in photography. 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bailey 

Inspired DPS

An inspired DPS, its layout is very unique and is very simple using the main colors of black and gold which goes very well with what the artist, Lupe Fiasco is wearing in the DPS. I would like to take the idea of this DPS, using simple colors and layout which is still very eye catching.The black background brings out the image of the artist, making him stand out but would like my DPS to be black/white.

DPS Analysis

1) The main feature of the double page spread is the main artist, Kareem black which he advertises a product. A watch called G-shock, with having a main artist advertising the watch it gives more content of what the double page spread is about.

2) An image dominates the right page only including the main artist with no text.

3) The artist Kareem Black holds a canon DSLR camera to show he is a photographer which relates to the subject of photography and that he is a photographer. Also he is seen wearing the watch which advertises the certain product designed by him. The watch can relate to the genre as many mainstream artist have this kind of watch, also his clothing is casual.

4) The image is large with the caption "Everything is photography" which presents that he is a photographer.

5) It is a mid shot which also covers the landscape that can be seen in the background, also covering across the entire double page spread. Since the double page spread is about the life of this artist which there must be more interesting artists on the other pages of the magazine covering their different lifestyles.

6) The headline is picture perfectionist, to show and exaggerate that the artists photography is flawless. This could also inform us that the main artist has high standards in photography. Both the words of the headline begin with the letter "p", intending that the headline should have words with the same beginning letter.

7) The pull quote can be seen underneath the title on the left hand side of the page.

8) The text change from bold to show the questions they ask Kareem black and then it is normal text underneath each question.

9) There is no by line.

10) For the overall text the baselines are equal and are not unbalanced.

11) No as the text is only found on one of the pages, it does not continue to the next.

12) All of the body text is kept at one page, the column for body text is equal to make it look professional.

13) With "Everything is photography" all of it will let the reader know that the subject will all be about photography that this artist has, his passion. Reader will be able to find out what this person likes it will lead them to wonder what kinds of questions he was asked about his passion.