Codes and conventions of a magazine contents page

A magazine contents page is laid out in columns, usually 3 or 4 columns.

There is one main picture relating to the feature article an there are other smaller pictures with page numbers on them which anchors them to the written contents.

The name of the magazine is at the top with the word contents and the issue date, subscription ad contact information. There is sometimes an editor’s letter.

The contents page is divided into categories and headings of regulars features of the magazine, which appear regularly and features which will only appear in the issue.

An image of the front cover of the magazine is usually on the contents page and the contents has a simple color scheme like the front page.

Contents are written with the page number and one or two words which could be the artists name or ambiguous text to intrigue the reader in bold type, often capital letters.

The sub lines give more specific details about what the article is about. Smaller font in roman (no bigger than 11pt, the headline is usually average of 12 or 13pt)

Photography is credited for the front cover, the main image and the photographs are interesting and vary.

At the bottom is the page number followed by the issue date and the magazine title. There is often a web address and the contents is usually one or two pages. The total number of pages is divisible by four.

The fonts (typeface – look of letters)

There are only two types of font

Serif

A this font is used in articles because it makes it easier to read.
Sans Serif

A this font is usually used for the front cover because it gives it a modern look