Kerrang! Contents Page Analysis

Layout - The Kerrang! contents page is very busy, but it isn’t a bad thing, the layout of it is very good and very clear. Most of the page is filled with images, this is much better than looking at huge blocks of text. The actually list of content is on the right hand side whilst the main stories (represented by an image with a caption) is on the left hand side (because most people read from left to right, so the main stories will get the main attention). I find this layout extremely effective; I feel that they have turned a potential disaster into a master piece.

Imagery – Most of the images are sort of like mini front cover images, by this I mean that they are mostly images of artists looking towards the camera (most are posing although some are live shots). Also most of these photos are either close ups or mid-shots. The images used are all very colourful and all have attitude. The captions are neatly fitted underneath and give you the information needed. All in all this is good.

Typography – There are a range of fonts used here, however all are similar, and most just have different settings such as bold or italic. The contents list is split into categories by highlighted bits of text, this stands out very well, in fact it stands out just as much as the main image. Kerrang! have certainly made the text stand out where it matters, good choice of font, it’s readable, sans-serif but still has attitude.

Colour – There are more colours on this page then there was on the front cover, there is also more emphasis on the white rather than the black; however this makes it better to read and see what is going on. Also white will bring down the costs as less ink will have to be used. The images provide the most colour with all the different artists and their different coloured clothes, the main colour for the actual page is white, with black text (some yellow text with a black highlight). This all seems simple but it works well. I think they chose white as the main colour because it keeps down production costs and it makes it easier on the eyes since there is so much going on, on the page.

Use of Language – Most of the text just tells you what is in the magazine, some of the main content have mini sub titles. There is a quote at the top of the page and the editor has written a little message at the top of the page too. Most of the language used on this page is child friendly (I couldn’t spot any swear words), however it is only the contents page.

Main Sells – The main sells are all the content and artists featured inside, the images with their sub headings do a good job of making you want to look inside.

Target Audience – I think this contents page fits the target audience well, it isn’t too complicated and it isn’t too simple. The style of the page matches the attitude of the magazine and therefore succeeds in pleasing its target audience. Overall this is a great contents page.