Research
What is a double page spread and why is it there?
A double page spread is a featured article spread across two pages in a magazine. It's purpose to is to entertain and inform readers on the chosen subject matter. However an underlying purpose of a double page spread is to sell, either a person, brand, company or storyline. Features of a double page spread involve a plentiful amount text on both pages as well as images and puffs which help to attract attention and sell the spread.
I will be deconstructing three double page spreads, one from a typically known pop genred magazine to identify key features and two from best selling spreads to understand why they sell so well, what they use and how they use it to help me in the production of my own.
1. Top of the pops
This is an example of a double page spread, from a previously studied pop magazine 'Top of the Pops'. The spread has a very 'busy' layout, a generic feature of most pop magazines. Filling every inch of the page with either image or text can make the focus or discourse of the spread seem unclear which could be off putting to readers. However placing the majority of the text on the left page makes it easier to identify and read. This leaves the right page for imagery which will attract reader’s eyes; especially as the target audience will want a simple read. Another positive feature of the layout is the use of smaller attractions around the edges of the spread, creating a border which will centre the attention on the interview and main image - this is a clever way of focusing the reader’s attention and creating interest. The main image of the double page spread is a posed long shot of boy band the Jonas Brothers who recently made their debut in the Disney film 'Camp Rock.' Therefore we can tell this is aimed at young children and females as Disney is a children's film corporation and a posed shot of the boys will attract girls. The band's stance is very casual with a slightly slumped posture, holding their musical instruments connoting that the band are very 'cool' and exclusive which will appeal to young girls and fans of the band who want to find out about them - we want what we can't have! The smaller images used at the bottom of the page promote confidence in young people because of there 'hands on hip' stance which is a positive connotation encouraging mums to buy this for their daughters. Top of the Pops have used a wave of colours across the spread as no precise colour scheme seems apparent. However there is a lot of pink, orange and yellow used for the text connoting femininity, girly-ness and youth. The pinks used give the page a girly portrayal as it's a colour associated with females from infant age. Yellow is a primary colour, therefore we can tell this targets young girls and children. Blue is applied to the pallet incorporated in other images, which makes up the blue forest background. Blue connotes peace and cool-ness which is an attractive connotation for young girls drooling over the 'cool' band! The imagery of forests ignited with a peaceful colour is a positive connotation for parents. This represents the magazine well. The spread uses several font variations which is an attractive feature, for titles and subheadings it uses a very thick handwriting style font which is easy for young children to read also giving a personal effect which is an appealing feature for fans of the popular boy band/film. The logo font of camp rock is used whenever the words are written on the spread giving recognition of what the spread is about and also advertising the brand further. This separation in font highlights Camp Rock as an individual highlighting its importance and status upon the spread and in the industry. The third commonly used font is a small, plain font with no elaborate features used for the text of interviews and informative puffs - things with a lot of writing involved. This could be because they presume young children won't read the heavy information and will focus more on the big images involved, furthermore this font could be for parents to read to their young children. This involves and encourages more readers whilst representing Top of the Pops as an ideal, friendly, children's pop magazine. In terms of content the spread offers a small quantity and focuses more on image and puffs. Smaller chunks of information are passed on via puffs like 'The Plot' and 'Meeting Characters' because they know a younger audience will be reading their spread, therefore they make it easier for them.
2. Billboard
This is a double page spread from best selling commercial music magazine Billboard which I have previously studied. A seemingly common layout feature one page is reserved for text and one for image across the spread. This layout presents the opportunity to advertise and sell the artist as we are mainly drawn to their picture, which offers the freedom to represent them in whichever format/light. However this layout choice could be seen as very formal, edging on boring due to its generic format of column writing with no specific eye catching features other than imagery. This suggests the magazine is for an adult audience of more mature readers that will focus more on content than attraction. The main image of the spread is a powerful close up head shot of singer Beyonce Knowles. The image projects confidence, power and strength. As a well known and ideal role model this allows the subject of the image, Beyonce, to communicate and inspire young females. Beyonce’s upright stance and direct focus catches reader’s attention immediately as we feel personally targeted, as we then take a closer look at the minor details within the picture such as her eyes we’re drawn in by the ‘fierce’ empowerment the image creates. The smoky and sharp use of her eyes creates an intimidating headshot connoting overwhelming power which could link to her high status profile in the music industry. The magazine has also used her original, ‘creative’ hair style and costume to fully link the image to the title; drawing the pages together. The use of costume to connote the spreads message is very effective, by using traditional gladiator type fashion the reader grasps an understanding of the artist’s image and the spread itself. Gladiators are fierce and strong, leading us to believe that Beyonce is too. These attributes are inspiring to young women in commercial music’s target audience, by connoting these elements into the spread, they generate interest and sales. A typically bland colour scheme of: tone changing purple, grey and white works effectively to isolate the artist and create a bolder image of her across the spread – she is the main attraction. Without bright and eye catching colours, the main image gets the most attention. Purple is generally known as a feminine colour connoting royalty and mystery as it mixes hot angry reds with cool peaceful blues – linking to the idea of creativity we see throughout the spread. This is appealing to young female students, likely to be creative and imaginative - for example in education. The use of white connotes innocence and purity which in fact represents Beyonce’s classy and Christian nature. This promotes Beyonce positively as we subliminally associate her with these connotations. Grey is typically an urban colour, the colour of the street. This identifies and brands Beyonce as the renowned urban pop artist she is, creating a very relatable and down to earth feel of both the artist and the spread. The font of the column based writing is generally quite small and plain, similar to an average size 10 Times New Roman again implying this double page spread is for a more mature audience who focuses on content rather than attraction or simply prefer traditional type media texts. However the title creates a literal onomatopoeia by using thick, bold text for the word fierce which we associate with strength and courage and a unique square like font for the word creative which also mirrors the style of Beyonce’s roman costume. In terms of content the piece is a biographical report on Beyonce and her achievements as she’s been graced with Billboards ‘Women of the Year’ award. It involves a lot more content than a typical question and answer; however it is not as personal. Giving me the idea to collaborate both, creating a unique double page spread of quality content and personal involvement of the artist.
3. Q
This is a double page spread from, again, a bestselling music magazine known as Q which I have previous studied within my media coursework. Yet again we can identify a trend in my research relating to the layout, with a commonly used format of text on one page and imagery on another. Previously mentioned this layout provides an opportunity to grab reader’s attention with enlarged imagery. This can help to sell the featured artist within the spread, in turn selling the magazine. The layout focuses greatly on its main image and creative title featuring them larger than anything else on the page. This suggests the spread wouldn’t have been easily attractive in the first place and with a play on newspaper headlines it would seem the featured artist has received some negative press. Therefore the spread has used it layout to sell the artist in a positive representation, to almost ‘hear both sides of the story.’ This adds a unique feature to the generic layout form. The main image of the double page spread is of famous British singer Lily Allen, known for her loud mouth, common attitude and humorous pop songs. Her posed stance pushes her elbows out making her body seem bigger connoting authority with dominant body language which links with the theme of the spread being Lily sharing her side of things, essentially arguing back against the papers. Yet with her hands facing downwards instead of clasping her hips, she gives these connotations a more relaxed feel representing her in a kinder, more casual light. This presents the audience with a more positive representation of her body language. Lily’s facial expression implies a hint of cheekiness and anxiety. With her mouth slightly open and her eyes peering round to engage in us she creates a friendly and cheeky atmosphere, almost playing up to the idea of ‘being caught’ or listening to what we have to say. Anxious to find out, Lily is photographed leaning forward to give the impression she’s ‘leaning in’ to the reader’s, this engages and attracts. The colour scheme plays a very important role in the double page spread’s theme and representation, both of Lily and the nature of the text. A traditional riddle or joke well known in British history is ‘What’s black, white and red all over?’ ‘A newspaper.’ It plays on the homophones of ‘red’ and ‘read’ creating a pragmatic clichéd joke well known to the public of Britain. Using a white, black and red colour scheme in the double page spread plays on the fact Lily’s hitting back at the headlines of the newspapers. This highlights her cheeky, humorous side which will appeal to young women. The red also connotes anger and frustration which could link to Lily’s reaction to possible slants in the papers or by fans as the title refers to ‘people.’ White connoting innocence and black connoting impurity, the contrast of these colours link to the spread forming the imagery of a balanced argument as Lily’s giving her point of view against ‘peoples’ allegations. This appeals to readers as they’ll be intrigued about Lily’s point of view on her ‘honesty.’ Again linking in with the theme of newspapers the fonts incorporated into the spread play on the idea of headlines and columns. The title of the double page is displayed in a newspaper cut out font, using different size black and white letters to create a collage effect giving the feature a personal touch. This makes the reader feel the article is more personal and intimate. The font is uneven and messy; it’s not perfect relating to Lily’s feature which explains her point of view. ‘She’s just honest.’ The tiny black font used in column style text boxes is almost identical to that of a newspaper report, creating a continuum in the spread. In terms of content the spread features a biographical report on the events leading to the double page and Lily’s personal views of it. This keeps readers entertained by journalist standard writing mixed with personal feedback from Lily which would appeal to young girls in her fan base. From this I can take the use of personal factors and incorporate them into my double page in order to add a unique selling point to my spread which will attract more readers.
Planning
Image
These are the images I have chosen to use within my double page spread. All four have been edited by removing their backgrounds and enhancing the colour and saturation for effect. The 'posed' images connote Ellie-Daisy's fun and cute side. These are positive connotations for a young female especially as a role model for other young females within the target audience. I played around with the saturation and made three of the images black and white in order to highlight the fourth image and allow it to jump out on the page. The full colour image shows Ellie-Daisy standing in a powerful, comfortable stance pointing forwards. This direct shot will grab the reader’s attention as it involves the audience, triggering their interest towards the double page spread.
Layout
Fonts
This is the font I will use for the title of my double page spread, this is because it has a vintage record label style which links in with the theme of my music magazine. The slightly curled and wispy sense to the font, for example in the R and the S will appeal to females because it's typically 'pretty' and feminine.
This is the font I will use for the anchorage text featured next to the main image. I chose this capital font because it’s very attracting and demanding. The font connotes urgency because of its capital, wide spread format. This will draw readers in and give the page a sense of importance.
This is the font I will use for the question and answer section on my double page spread. I chose this font because of its handwriting effect; this gives the section a personal feel which links with the aim of the interview. This will help to draw consumers into reading the interview so they can see the artist on a personal level.
Content
The story behind my featured artist will be an informative, entertaining article and small interview section explaining and talking about the young female pop artists rise to fame. Her influences, past and present musical experiences, inspirations and creative nature. Essentially - how she made it.
Mock up: Double page spread
Testing
'I love the layout! The pictures really catch your attention before the article; it makes me want to read it!'
'Deffo needs more colour, you want to attract our attention, put some pink in there!'
'I love the fact you have all her contacts on the spread, it’s really appealing to fans.'
'The font variation is good. I won’t get bored when reading!'
Final: Double page spread
