AS Research and Planning: Look Magazine Contents Page Analysis

I have chosen to analyse the contents page of Look magazine issue from 1st November 2010.

As mentioned before, Look attracts a niche market of women from a large range of ages. The pages are set in A4, leaving sufficient space for the layout. The layout of this contents page is fairly understated, which works well in their favour. The layout consists of a main image, strap lines, a masthead, an editor's note, contents, images and a subscription information box. The contents are split into three segments, containing the main image, editor's note and contents/subscription box. This help to break up the page so it is easier to distinguish between the parts of the page. It also looks neater and less busy by using a simple line to break up the sections.

The main image is situated horizontally across the top of the page. The image depicts six runway models cut onto a black background. The image denotes fashion, clothes and women. Readers aspire to look like the models, to be as pretty and skinny as them and they admire the clothes. This is why the magazine appeals to the niche market of women. Readers buy the magazine, read about and look at trends and fashion, in order to copy this and be labelled 'fashionable'. It's a competitive part of society's labels on women, which makes the magazine appeal to them more as it aids this. All of the images that have been cut onto the black background and are all mid-shot to long-shot, and the models are all looking toward the camera. The photos have obviously been taken at some kind of catwalk show- proving that Look is indeed a fashion magazine.

The strap line above the masthead is written on a white strip across the main image, with a pink font in the style of Bradley Hand ICT Font on the top line. Pink is a feminine colour, with this particular shade denoting passion and action. The line below this includes the signifier shopping- signifying that yes, the magazine is a fashion magazine and aids women with what they like to do best, shopping. The font here is Times New Roman and black, contrasting against the white strip so that it is readable and the white appears brighter.

The masthead is written in a Times New Roman style, adding sophistication to the mix. LOOK is bolded for emphasis of the magazines name. The masthead is situated just below the main image. The strapline below this is written on a black strip. Again, the font here is Times New Roman but is written in white to contrast with the black strip. I particularly like that this strap line lists, with bullet points but horizontally, a brief overview of what readers will expect from the magazine. Due to it's clearness, it stands out and saves people from reading the whole contents page.

The editorial section is very understated, yet works well. They have used the technique of a 'dropped capital', but used this for the speech marks at the start and end of the text. This is very effective as it is unusual, looks good and stops the page from looking too simple. The image of the editor herself is an effective touch, as this means there is more verisimilitude. Those who actually manufacture the magazine are people themselves, which readers usually forget, and the reader can put someone's work to a face. This is a personal touch, adding weight to their note on what readers should expect from the issue. The vertical piece of text on the left hand side of the editorial note makes the page look more professional.

The actual contents on the page are listed on the right hand side of the page. The font is written in Times New Roman- the main font used in Look along with Bradley Hand ITC. The font is black and contrasts against the white of the page for accessible reading. They have listed the contents in ascending order of what they believe will appeal more to their audience, so that this is where they will first read to. They have bolded the cover stories from the cover, making it more accessible to find the stories on the cover inside the magazine.

The only image used beside the contents page is of singer/songwriter Taylor Swift promoting their interview with her inside. She is a very relevant artist in the music world and fashion world at the moment, so this is why her image was used above other celebrities due to her superior fame. The image is a close up of Taylor, her head turning toward the camera. She is smiling slightly, which lends an air of mystery to the photograph. There isn't much lighting in the image either, lending toward the mystery. This will urge the reader to read the interview. The photo does not contain any vibrant colours, just simple pastels and light tones. This keeps the contents simple and understated, which goes with the layout.