NME Magazine Contents Page

This is a contents page from the magazine “NME.”

On this contents page, NME uses two main images as an of trying to attract the target audience. The two male singers in the images are from the indie/rock band Oasis who are very successful and carry a huge fan base. The magazine celebrates this type of music and by including one of the best bands as a main attraction on the contents page is a very effective technique in attracting the target audience. The singers themselves reflect the indie/rock music typically for example the singer on the left with a black jacket and a scarf on which is typical to a band of this genre. Many indie/rock artists go by this look as it is not too formal and very casual which is an ascent of this type of music. Whereas the other singer on the right is playing a guitar and has long and untidy hair which is typical features of the specific genre. The lighting itself behind the singers is dark which little light in both images which adds to the effect of them belonging to a specified genre. Dark lighting is a typical convention of indie/rock. They are both also low angle shots looking up at the characters making them seem significant and important. This gives off the impression to the target audience that they are important people within there music genre. Both artists also seem to be performing on stage live as well which could be a big event, this makes the reader ask more questions such as where are they performing. The live performances relate to the target audience as it is an interest for many of them to attend music events. By displaying this style of fashion the target audience will be enticed to want to know more and therefore read on.

On this particular contents page the font style known as “display” dominates the page with main headings and mastheads all being used in this format. From the first look at the page the phrase “Oasis kicked off their world tour” grabs your attention immediately. The word “kicked” is also a very casual mode of address. As Oasis are a very popular band the way in which the phrase stands out and grabs the attention of the reader increases the target audience’s interests because many of them want to know about what they are doing all the time. Because of this caption grabbing your attention you are likely to be more observant of the rest of the text displaying what is in the magazine because the readers’ attention has been captured. The images themselves could be taken by members of the targeting audience watching the artists perform live and this adds relevance to the articles and is an effective technique as it gives of the impression that this could be any member of the target audience watching live and taking these pictures.  The language used for the phrase about Oasis is straight forward and to the point which the target audience will appreciate as it tells them exactly what about Oasis is in the magazine which is what they want to know. It is made interesting to the reader because the font is in bold and different to the rest of the text as it seems to be more in the sans serif text as well as there being images which also relate to the text to enforce the message and attract the target audience. At the bottom of the page in the box plot is an advertisement for the magazine about subscribing for the magazine which is an effective technique in getting a consistent amount of readers as it is a way in which the target audience will consider a good opportunity to save money as there is an offered discount which can save the target audience money which is in the greatest interest of the reader and going to attract the target audience. Down the left side of the page is a common convention for a music magazine as it has a band index going write down the page. This is a very common feature which is effective as it makes the audience feel they are getting more for their money as well as making them want to look inside. On the right side of the page is the column separating what is in the magazine which has main headings such as “news” and “radar” which are convenient methods in making the page east to understand and therefore more attractive to the target audience as it shows them exactly what’s within the magazine. The page continues to use the same context as for its front covers and double spreads with the traditional colours which are used effectively to capture the target audiences’ attention. The balance between the text and the images is effective as you feel as if the pictures are relevant and all the space on the page is filled well in order to make the magazine seem as if there is a lot in there, making the reader feel as if they are getting there moneys worth.

The contents page uses the traditional layout as of its front covers and double page spreads as there are the same colours being used such as the red, white and black which all have an effect and relate to the genres the magazines celebrate. The traditional “NME” is on the top left hand side of the page to add to the traditional layout and to add to the effects that make the contents page achieve brand identity. Also the traditional large, “display” font is used to add to the brand identity as this style is used in both its front covers and double page spreads consistently. Overall if you analyse the colours, effects, and fonts on this contents page you realise that they are all very similar to that of the front covers and double page spreads produced by the magazine giving the page brand identity very effectively.