All magazines need a contents page to tell the reader what is inside the magazine and where what they are looking for is for example a page number will tell you where to find the article you are looking for. I researched different contents pages from music and fashion magazines to help me when I design my own contents page. When researching I noticed the contents page consists of six main things:
- Editors hello
- Page numbers
- Hyperbole and superlatives in headlines
- Images and word clues
- Graphic illustrations and designs
- Reminder of the magazine’s name and mission statement
Below is three draft contents pages I drew that will include page numbers, information and images to interest and attract my target audience to read my magazine.
(click on images to see bigger)
When creating a contents page you are also going to want to use catch headlines to attract an audience and keep them reading. Below is five catchy headlines that I could use in my magazine to target my preferred audience.
- The Top 5 Secrets to Becoming The Next Hot Star
- Are You Using The Right Beauty Products? Take This Quiz to Find Out!
- Daily Habits You Need to Start Now
- Exclusive Interview With Bella Monroe
- A Shocking Confession From The Members of Sax
Researching headlines is vital when making a contents page as it is the headlines which is going attract and give the audience a sense of desire to read the magazine. For example by using a word such as ‘secrets’ in a headline gives an idea of mystery to the reader; the word ‘exclusive’ makes the reader feel a personal connection to the artist and could remind the reader of something relatable when reading the magazine making the magazine successful and helping it attract an audience.