MIXMAG CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS

MixMag actually states “CONTENTS” within the actual page directly at the top suggesting to the reader that it is easy to navigate. It is set up in columns to keep it looking tidy and to create the tone of organisation and cleanliness. It has images with page numbers to attract the reader to those pages. However it doesn’t contain much negative space suggesting that it includes a large amount of information.

The contents page follows a colour scheme which is the basic black and white scheme, creating a laid back and chilled tone. The only bright colours used are within the images which grabs the reader’s attention and attracts them to those pages rather than the actual contents. It also gives a vibe of excitement and fun to the reader, suggesting that this magazine is energetic and colourful exactly how a festival would be.

Beneath every title of each page there is a very minimal description of what the page includes. This allows the reader to know specifically what that page informs you off and therefore they know exactly where to navigate to.

Within the page there are images of both genders which doesn’t limit the audience of who would buy the magazine. By doing this they attract both genders and therefore both men and women know it is acceptable for them to buy this magazine.

By spreading the contents across two pages it gives it a more defined vibe and as a typical magazine would have their contents limited to one page, it is unconventional. By doing this it suggests to the reader that this magazine is well-known and they are typically rule breakers giving it a higher status.

There are four images within the contents page, but only two of these are more eye-catching. This is because they are both full of colour.

The first image is of a girl holding a drink looking in an area which appears to be a festival. She is smiling which tells the reader that she is having a good time and is enjoying the music played the same way that the author of the magazine would want the reader to feel about the magazine. She is in focus and the others within the image aren’t suggesting that she is the main focus, by using a girl in minimal clothing (some kind of bikini) attracts the male reader stereotypically being a straight man. Her eyes are directly looking to the camera and it is shot at eye angle. This suggests to the reader that she is not threatening with the camera being beneath her and that she therefore has no power, it is also not shot above her to make her look weak and vulnerable. Therefore it suggests that she is just a normal girl and that festivals can be for anyone. When looking at the page “116” it is only listings of night clubs to go to therefore this image emphasises the fact that this magazine is for people who typically want to enjoy themselves. The use of “116” being in block and in a large font at the bottom of the screen and to the right simply tell the reader where to navigate to in order to find what the article or page will be talking about.

The second image is full of bright colours as it contains fireworks and is of a packed dance festival. It implies to the reader who is presumably of a young age that festivals are fun and that it is typically energetic and full-on. In the bottom right corner it says “Dave Clarke at Tomorrowland”. This simply tells the reader exactly where this shot had been taken and informs them of the type of music being played at this festival. In the bottom left corner “74” is in big block font simply to tell the reader where to navigate to. This is common on a contents page as it is involved in a magazine simply to tell the reader where to navigate to and summarises what each page involves. When viewing this page it is an actual interview with Dave Clarke and is on a double page spread with one being an image and the other images and writing. Therefore the image of his set at Tomorrowland simply emphasises the fact that festivals were created to have fun and enjoy life the same reason for this magazine existing and informing young people that this is what they should go out and to do enjoy themselves.

The language used in the contents page is very informal and is written to a reader of young age typically below the age of 30. However it is also fairly informative language. For example “What’s it like to be a dancer?” and “Three top club nights reviewed”. Therefore this relates back to the idea that a contents page exists to inform the reader of what is included in the magazine.