Double Page Spread Analysis

Lana Del Rey Double Page Spread Analysis 1

 

This double page spread is from Q magazine and features Lana Del Rey. The use of dark lighting and a lot of black, along with the image of Lana with her eyes closed and lips parted makes this double page spread feel quite sexual, but also quite classic, as there are no real stand out colours and nothing bright and “modern” looking. The size of the image is very conventional, taking up a whole A4 page and meeting the page fold. The image is not specific to any gender, as the classic feel could attract women, whereas the sexuality and image of a beautiful woman could attract men. The image is very striking and would probably attract your attention, perhaps because it is so dark or perhaps because of its beauty.

The fonts used are all quite traditional and are all serif. The large S is almost a drop capital, but it is then repeated as the first letter of the sentence, so not quite. The large letter is a classic feature of Q magazine and is part of their house style. There is no real colour scheme to this layout and no House Style is really evident, apart from the page numbers. I will be sure this is not the case in my magazine. The title of the artist is larger than the other text, but is not the largest thing on the page and is not the main focus of the page, which subverts typical conventions. There is a small introduction to the article in a medium sized font, and the rest of the text is in a smaller font – adhering to conventions. There is a drop capital at the beginning of the second paragraph of the article.  The layout is classic, clean and organised with definite lines and columns. Although there are no dividers between the columns it is obvious where one ends and one begins due to the font change and half page, full page difference in paragraph placement.

There are borders on the right hand side of the page and the top of the page, creating a caged in effect. The S breaks out of these borders. There are small aesthetic details at the bottom of the pages which are essential to making a magazine look professional, such as the page number, magazine logo and website titles. I will be sure to include these tiny details to be sure to make my magazine look as glossy and professional as possible. I will also have a full A4 size photo on my double page spread, and I will use drop capitals and columns. Because I do not have this magazine in physical form and only have digital copies of the pages, I cannot read all of the words and therefore cannot fully analyse all of the language used. However, from reading the first larger paragraph and from reading alternative Q articles also, I have noticed that the article always begins like a story. The scene is set, and then it transforms into an interview, but still contains adjectives and explanatory lexis. I will be sure to use these techniques within my own writing. The writing is in two columns, which is unusual when the whole page is available for text, but I think looks really classic and beautiful when accompanied with the large S.

Pink Double Page Spread Analysis 2

 

This is another double page spread taken from Q magazine. The main focus of it is the large close up image of pink on the right hand side. The image is very natural, with a neutral colour palette. The background is out of focus and the image is very soft on the eye with golden tones in pink's hair along with her slightly bronzed face and the shot of her laughing make the image warm and welcoming, it also suggests her personality to be warm, and doesn't take herself too seriously. A quote has also been pulled from the text and placed at the bottom right of the image, I cannot actually read the quote, but alongside the image it suggests that it is something she said, that she found funny.

Second to that is the text on the left "cash for questions" this shows the audience exactly what the article is going to be about. The text is in 3 columns and set out in a question and answer format. It is black text on a contrasting white background, making it easy to read and is a dramatic contrast also to the colourful image on the right. I really like the way this has been put into 3 columns instead of the 2 Q magazines normally put them in. I also love the way its questions answers bit has been done and laid out and the drop capital I’ve mentioned before. These 3 things are something I will like to include in my music magazine when it comes to making mine.

When making my double page spread I will also use one page for the image and the other one for my texts which is now going to be questions and answers.  

Cheryl Cole Double Page Spread Analysis 3

 

The colours black, red and white of the double page spread links with the colours on the front cover and the whole of Q magazine’s which has been carried through. The double page spread creates a gothic/grunge and vampire mood. It also creates a theme of glamour to the page due to the lit up buildings and the rain in the background.

The words and images fit together well. The landscape image takes up the top half of the first page and overlaps onto the second page. The second page has a border and the headshot of Cheryl Cole takes up the top right side of the second page. The text then fits around the images and inside the border. There is also a quote by Cheryl blown up bigger than the rest of the text and typed in red to standout and grabs people’s attention. The font of the article is Times New Roman, which is a clear and easy font to read. They have chosen to use this font as there is a long article on the double page spread with a vast amount of text that is quite small. If it were font that was hard to read, then the reader would not want to read the article.

The two images on the double page spread both feature Cheryl Cole. The landscape image of Cheryl Cole next to the motorcycle takes up the whole top half of the first page and overlaps a little onto the second page. The image represents a gothic/grudge theme with the motorbike featured in the rain at night time. The second image of Cheryl in the rain in a busy city takes up the right side of the page. This headshot image represents a glamorous theme as she is dressed in glitter and the background is the nightlife of a glamorous city based on/could be New York City. Through both images the vampire theme from the front of the magazine has been carried through.

In the first landscape image of Cheryl Cole, she has been styled with the same style of makeup from the front of the cover. She is wearing bright red lipstick and dark eyeliner to compliment her pale vampire complexion. However her hair is dry and has been lightly curled which doesn’t link with the graphic rain effect. She has been dressed in a punk theme motorcycling, all-in-one outfit accompanied with high heels. She is standing next to a motorcycle in the rain. This image creates a powerful impression on the reader, as Cheryl Cole is a dominant figure. In the headshot image Cheryl’s makeup style has been carried through. In this image her hair is wet to contrast with the graphics of the rain in the image. This image creates an impression on the reader as the graphics are glamorous and contrast with Cheryl Cole and she has been styled and dressed.

On the first page of the double page spread there is no title or strap line as the photograph takes up the top half of the page where the title would have been. On the second page there is a title in the top right corner that simply says ‘Cheryl Cole’ with the name Cheryl in italic. There is also a comical caption layered on top of the landscape image on the first page. The images suggest that the article is about Cheryl Cole as she is featured in the images. These images suggest the interests of the reader as Cheryl Cole is featured on the front of the magazine, which may have been the reason why the reader bought the magazine. It is hard to identify the contents of the article as the writing is quite small and there are no sub-headings to suggest what the article is about.

The layout is typical of a double page spread as the pictures take up most of the page. These can be seen from a distance due to their large size however the text cannot be read from a distance as it has been printed in a small font so that lots of information can be printed onto the double page spread. The double page spread doesn’t need to stand out on the shelf because this select page would not be used to advertise the magazine from a shelf in a shop.

The language of the article is informal and draws the reader in with the use of techniques such as rhetorical questions. The article also has quotes from Cheryl Cole, as the double page spread is not a full interview with her. The informal language creates a feel that gets the reader involved with the story and feel as if they are having a conversation with the writer.

The double page spread doesn’t give a good indication of what the article is about as there are no strap lines, headings or cover lines. The reader would have to read the article to know what it’s about. The article is designed to appeal to a younger age group aged 16 to 30 who may have bought the magazine due to the article about Cheryl Cole inside. The double page spread represents the reader’s interests as it links to the front cover and the images and story appeal to the young audience who would be interested to read about Cheryl Cole. The magazine does not address an older age group, as they would not be interested in celebrities like Cheryl Cole.

I’m not too keen on this layout and would rather the one big image so this is something I have to take into consideration when making my music magazine. However I like the way the T is bigger than the other letters and makes it standout to where the article really starts this is something I may include in mine.

Lady Gaga Double Page Spread Analysis 4

 

This double page spread from "Q" magazine, has a simple design, with one page dedicated to an image and the other to the article. On the left hand side of the page is a medium close up shot of the artist lady GaGa. All of the text is situated on the right hand side of the page this gives a significant space for both the image and the text. This is done to maximize the space that is used on the page and also not to make the page look like it is filled up with too much text or not enough images.

The main image shows much of flesh is exposed, with her hands and a metal chain necklace covering the more revealing areas. In the photograph the artist is naked which attracts a varied audience. The image is a medium close up shot of the top half of Lady GaGa. She is looking at the reader through the page and this is consistent with many other mages in magazines involving an artist or person. The image is an artistic photograph because the image is in Black and white. This suggests that the photographer was going for a much more artistic view of the artist as this is generally what a photographer using a black and white effect would be going for.

At the top of the right page there is a title of the page and who the page is about. It gives the reader a quick and easy to read title as it is clearly distinguishable title compared to the rest of the page. In the centre of the page there is big red letter L. This is there again to emphasis what the article in the magazine is about, Lady GaGa. The text is three clear blocks on the page that go down the page starting on the left hand side. In the text on the right hand side of the page is in a small font as it maximizes the space available. It also fills the page as in magazine there is generally not very many blank spaces or any spaces at all. The text contrast goes well with the white background as the font is black and this makes it easier to read. Also starts of new paragraphs have a much bigger font size used for the first letter of that particular paragraph.

Overall the page is well set out with a clear and easy distinguishable layout and looks great.

Rihanna Double Page Spread Analysis 5

When looking at this double page spread in terms of image, you see Rihanna holding a speaker-phone prop and looking quite "fierce" drawing in the reader’s attention wanting to read and find out more. The purpose of this would be to link it with the article and give the image some sort of meaning behind it.

The black background makes her stand-out well, making her look bold and powerful. The pink speakerphone gives that feminine look which stands out as bold and strong as she is a female figure. The caption to the bottom left of the image is in red as it matches the colour of her hair.
In terms of the article page and its layout and text, the top seems to be centralised. The article is also broken up into three columns first one starting with a large R which is one of the common conventions used at the beginning of articles. As I’ve said before this is something I will like to include in my music magazine when it comes to designing and making mine.
Unlike the classical and sophisticated serif font used throughout the article, her name stands out at the top in capitals and the centralised writing in bolds draws in the reader. The sans-serif font has a sleek modern look which also has connotations of youth. It also stands out as it is a dark reddish colour unlike the rest of the text which is black. This red colour is also picked out from the image and the house style of the magazine.

I like the way the text is in three columns this is something I have picked out from previous analysis’s and is something I will defiantly include in my magazine. I also like the image taking up half the double page spread really draws you in and doesn’t look over crowed with text; this is something I will also consider.