NME, like all other music magazines, retains a brand identity that runs throughout every issue. In this contents page, this is evident. There is a large title at the head of the page containing the logo. The use of bold, light text on a dark background makes the text stand out and is the first thing the eye catches when turning to the page. The black background of the header is cropped around the main image, and the bottom line of this header leads the eye down to the date of issue, also in white to stand out. The main content in split into three separate sections to organize the copious amounts of information. The first, on the far left, is a list of every artist in the magazine and their corresponding page number(s). This is appealing to the target audience because if they are only fans of certain artists, they can easily see if they are featured in the issue and decide whether to buy or not. Due to this, the magazine tends to try and pack in as many artists as possible to retain their readers. Brand identity comes in useful for the readers at this point, as when they are at a newsagents, or another selling establishment, they know that the list is on the contents page and can quickly look without having to search. The middle section of the page is dedicated to a main story of the issue or a story that might appeal to the target audience. Due to the fact that it is, apart from the advertisement, the only picture on the contents page; they have made it much larger than conventionally chosen and put in less writing. The third and final section is on the right, the list of content in the magazine. It is neatly organized into sections with bright red page numbers to make it easier for the reader to see where their desired articles are in the magazine. This section retains the theme of the header with black, square background with bold, white text for the categories. This section also carries on the font from the first and second sections in each category. The only text that is of a different font on this page is the title for the main story, and that is only to catch the reader’s eye. This contents page continues the colour scheme set by the NME logo, red, white, and black, with a white background, black text and red to highlight. This continuity makes the reader more likely to read the magazine because it makes it easier to read by having a small amount of colours; that way it all doesn’t stand out at once and the reader is attracted to one part, then another and so on. This straight forward colour scheme, font and style displays what the magazine stands for and that is the simplicity of music.
Rolling Stone has been a magazine institution since its creation in 1967. Its remained highly successful throughout its time and a large part of that is through the brand identity that has been achieved since the 60’s. This brand identity is evident throughout the magazine, including the contents page. With a white and red logo, the colour scheme of the page links directly to it. This colour scheme runs not only throughout the text and background, but the images; red, white, and black. These colours are rather masculine colours, as conventionally chosen by music magazines, and represent the anger in music, and also the calm. The colour scheme reflects both ends of the emotional spectrum to show the diversity found in music. By placing the red and black atop white, the text stands out from the page and the red catches the readers eyes. By using the red for titles and page numbers the magazine highlights the most important part for the reader so that if they were to scan the page, they could pick the most relevant information. This also stands to be the reason for having the sub-titles naming the articles in bold. It also means that if a person was to want to check where an articles was, it would be easier to search for the desired article. The layout of a 45:55 ratio of image to text means that reader isn’t overpowered by content. It makes them feel much more relaxed whilst reading the page and less overwhelmed and in turn makes them want to read more. The images themselves have been chosen to show the reader the most important stories of the issue. This, like having red and bold writing, is so that if they were to scan the page, they can easily what the main articles are about without having to delve. This comes into fruition when the magazine is on the shelf; after the front cover, the contents page is to sell the magazine. It shows that articles on offer and must make them look as appealing as possible. By choosing three important figures, in both music and national affairs in this case, the reader is immediately attracted to the magazine. This contents page also includes a picture of the President of the United States of America, so there is an extra amount of appeal as the magazine is produced and sold in America. This magazine also offers National Affairs, so it has extra allure as it satisfies more of Maslow’s needs within his pyramid; social belonging. By offering both music news and national news the reader is given much more to talk about with friends and helps them thrive in social situations.
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