Contents Page Flat Plans

Generically, the purpose of the contents page is to summarise the articles and offer some insight into the content of the magazine. 

On a visual basis, it often continues the theme presented on the front cover so that the reader gains familiarity with the sense of consistency. 

1) The primary trait of a contents page is simplicity. For this reason in almost any magazine, the background is plain and the information is clearly titled. 

In the top left corner I have placed the title/logo of my magazine as a convention of marketing. By having the logo appear repetitively it causes the reader to become familiar with the product. In the opposite corner I have placed the date. Again, although this traditionally appears on the front cover by reinforcing it on this page the features appear current, with an up-to-date relevance. 

The text is contrasted by the large image that offers a visual depiction of a dominant article that features within the magazine. This acts as a tease that increases the reader's anticipation. 

Since there is lots of information that needs displaying on a contents page, the term 'contents' is too generic and is divided into sections that group the information. Above I have clearly outlined three columns to split the content of my information. 'Features' is a common term for the main articles, and I have chosen 'reviews' and 'new releases' to symbolise how the magazine covers things old and new. The final subdivision, 'Festival Updates,' offers an engaging and exciting approach to the music industry. I have selected this title because it gives readers a chance to involve themselves in the atmospheric liveliness of a festival. 

Rather commonly, the page number appears along the bottom to guide the reader throughout the magazine. 

2) Contrary to the first design, I wanted to see how I could make the contents page less structured but still organised so that it can maintain the flair of the front cover it follows. 

The way I have done this is by splitting the features between the main image, and by making the subdivisions conform to a more chronological format. This would mean that although the articles still follow a progressive format, they are not just columnised and don't appear as contained as in the first design. From a first glance the spontaneity is soon forgotten as the reader will realise that it is not as complicated as they might first anticipate. 

My only concern, like with the front cover, is whether splitting the 'features' section between the image is a sensible idea. For me, this decision will need to be made during the digital production itself. 

3) The purpose of this variation was to try and identify the effect of adding an extra, less prominent image into the mix. It would need to be located amidst the subdivisions in order to space it away from the main image in order for it to gain it's own impression. 

Much like the titles of the subdivisions, a secondary image helps to break up the overcrowded text on the page and alternates between visual and written information. In addition, it adds even more spontaneity to the subdivisions by letting the text weave around the frame of the image.