Double Page Spread Rough Cut Analysis

When creating the rough cut for my double page spread, I have taken inspiration and attempted to apply common conventions of existing music publications, of which are shown in earlier posts. One of the main ways I have tried to incorporate these features is through the use of fonts that are associated with the genre of music being written about - in this case grime/rap music. The graffiti style used for the heading and sub-heading is used also on the front cover, making it obvious to the reader that the main feature shown on the front cover is this article. 

Another minor, yet conventional aspect of my rough cut double page spread is the red on black 'Volume' logo, as well as the same colours for the page numbers in the bottom corners of the page. This allows a house style to be obvious throughout the magazine, rather than just the front page and contents, where the colour scheme of the magazine is typically more obvious. 

Contents Page Rough Cut Analysis

In the rough cut for my contents page, I have tried to apply aspects of contents pages that I have researched in previous blog updates. When it comes to house style, through the red on black colour scheme, I have tried to make the magazine's brand identity obvious as well as giving the layout of the magazine as a whole more coherence. Also, I have included the issue number just below the 'contents' title, which allows the reader to see that the magazine has had longevity and therefore implies that it is reliable.

Also, I have decided to make the numbers which indicate what page each feature is on white, as it contrasts greatly with the black background it is on, making it stand out to the reader, in turn giving the contents page practicality as it is easy to navigate the magazine.

Some of the improvements that I am planning to make however, is to change the top left picture for one with a different background, as I feel as though having a wider range of backgrounds would make the images seem less generic. Also, in the bottom left of the page I am considering adding a short 'note from the editor'. One of my reasons behind this is to decrease the amount of empty space on the page, but also because in contents pages that I have analysed previously, there was more written content than there is on this.

Front Cover Rough Cut Analysis

In the rough cut of my front page, I have attempted to include codes and conventions of existing magazines that I have looked at in previous posts. One of the main ways in which I have abided by these conventions is through a distinct colour scheme and house style, settling on red and black to be the two main colours used for the house style of my magazine. Another aspect of my front cover that complies to the codes and conventions of existing publications, is the use of fonts that relate to the genre of music of which the artist belongs to. In this case, the font I have used for 'Yemzi' is in a graffiti style, which portrays the typical ideals and style of grime music. This allows for an audience that may be unaware of the artist, yet familiar with the 'visual' style of the genre to be engaged by the front cover. Also, the layout of the page is conventional in that the features listed are around the edge and bottom of the page, however I am planning on adjusting the layout slightly in order to accommodate more features. 

One of the main adjustments that I am planning on making to my front cover is the layout of the features. This would include probably adding features etc. on the left hand side of the page, as well as readjusting the placement of the writing on the right side of the page, to make it appear more organised. Also, underneath the bar code I still need to add a price and issue number which will make the magazine appear to be more conventional. I am intending also on adding a banner right at the top of the page, as not only would that make the magazine more cohesive, but it also allows it to abide by the common properties of a music magazine more closely.

Vibe Double Page Spread Analysis

In this issue of Vibe, the double page spread has a large, close up image that covers the whole of the first page on the double page spread, and a title that takes up over half of the right side of the spread. Because of this, there is large amounts of white space surrounding the title, giving it a simplistic and minimalistic style that perhaps appeals to members of the audience demographic that are interested solely on the artist, as they may have an existing familiarity of the appearance of the artist. This is a common convention of double page spreads used by Vibe magazine, as in other issues it is often that close up shots are used for artists that the audience are most likely already familiar with. This allows the reader to have a more personal and intimate insight into the artist, rather than connoting distance and giving more of an impersonal impression to the reader.

Another interesting aspect of this double page spread is the use of fonts. The font used for the title of the article has a style similar to that associated with the type of music made by the artist, and this helps the reader to fully understand the genre of music that the artist belongs to, which may help persuade readers to become engaged in the article. In my magazine's double page spread, I am also going to use fonts similar to the genre of music that the artist belongs to on my double page spread. In my case, I am going to use a graffiti style font to match the grime genre of music that my main artist belongs to.

Rolling Stone Double Page Spread Analysis

In this double page spread, one of the main features that makes it an effective article is the colours used. The inclusion of the red on the American flag matches with the Florence's hair colour which provides a clean looking page due to the matching colours, and the limited amount of colours other than red. Also, rule of thirds is used on this page, with the point of which the lines cross marking the title of the article, the drop capital and Florence's chest area. In doing this, Rolling Stone is sexualising the artist in the spread, intentionally placing parts of her body in areas of the page that the reader is more likely to look at.

Aspects from this article that I may take inspiration from is the use of a drop capital, as well as having three columns of text to cater for the main content on the page. My reasoning behind using a drop capital to begin my article, is because it draws the reader to the writing on the article, and encourages them to read the writing in full, rather than just looking at the image and design of the page. The use of three columns of text provides a structured layout to the page, as well as giving enough space for an extended article on the page. 

Kerrang Double Page Spread Analysis

In this double page spread, the use of the colours black and white allow for a gothic style to be formed (which aligns itself with the typical reader of Kerrang), as well as putting a more feminine twist through the use of pink. Perhaps this was used with the intention of appealing to female members of the magazine's demographic, whilst still attracting a male audience through other colours used. This is reinforced through the similar colours used for the drop capital and the questions that are asked towards the features artists, of which not only helps to attract members of Kerrang's typical demographic, but also helps the organisation and fluidity of the structure and layout of the page. The image on this spread allows for connotations to be constructed of darkness and mystery, not only because of the predominantly black costume, but also because of the medium close up camera shot, which doesn't reveal all of her body and limits the presumptions that can be made of her. 

One way in which I may decide to apply properties of this double page spread to my own creation is the size and prominence of the image. Despite the image not showing a range of items or aspects of mise en scene, the image still takes up the whole of the left page and some of right part of the two pages. I have decided that the image I am going to use for my double page spread will be of similar prominence, most likely going across both pages, with the positioning of the text going around the image, placing primary focus on the artist.

NME Double Page Spread Analysis

In this double page spread, one of the interesting attributes is the use of red to highlight words of particular importance, such as the artist's name and the name of the writer of the article. The indication of red to imply importance is used once again in the costume worn in the image of the artist. This shows to the reader that the most important part of the feature is the artist, as well as making it easier to work out who the article is about for those readers unfamiliar with Lily Allen. The font used in the title is interesting as it is disjointed and almost choatic because of the differing sizes of the letters, which perhaps suggests that the artist may be slightly controversial, and consequently intrigues the reader.

One part of this double page spread that I may find useful to implement into my own, is the use of a drop capital at the beginning of the text. Also, one smaller aspect of the article that I have taken inspiration from is the page numbers, and the fact that there is white font on a red background, even though I have decided to use red on black instead in order to fit with the house style of my magazine. This allows for a discreet way to pursue their colour scheme of red and white, furthering brand recognition and contributing to the clear house style that is consistent throughout NME magazines.

Q Double Page Spread Analysis

In this particular double page spread, the headline of the article is a quotation taken from the text on the page, rather than having the title separate. This places importance on the interview part of the article, which would appeal to the reader because of the high relevance and popularity of the person the article is based on. Alongside this, drop capitals are used to open the article, and also partway through the text. This allows the reader to distinguish different parts of the article, giving it a more fluent structure, that in turn contributes to the tidiness of the pages as well as making the main body of text appear more important. Also, the way in which the sub-title is partly on a slant is interesting as it acts to further the idea of chaos, which was initially created in the quotation used for the title.

One feature of this double page spread that I may use in my own is an important quote highlighted, similar to the one on the right side of these pages. I feel as though this would be a good addition to my main article, as it provides a broader range of content, and fills the page which helps the page appear more organised. Also, the reader may be persuaded to read the article because of the quote, as, like in this one, the quote may evoke controversy or excitement. 

Kerrang Contents Page Analysis

In this particular contents page, next to the contents title there is an issue number as well as a cover date next to it. The issue number is effective, as it shows the reader that Kerrang! has been around for a long time and gives the impression that it is quite a reputable magazine. The cover date it used to give the impression that the features and the news in the magazine is very much in the present and covers current news. Alongside this, it is implied that perhaps Kerrang! is very much up to date and urgent when presenting the latest news. Also, the contrast of colours on the contents title is effective not only because it stands out against the black backgroud, but also it contributes to the colour scheme and house style of the magazine overall. 

One convention of this contents page that I  considering using in my own, is the 'note from the editor' at the bottom left of the page. This is because typically contents pages don't have a lot of extended writing on them, instead having features listed with small amounts of information. This means that a broader range of content is featured on the page, alongside it contributing to the organisation of the page, making it appear more fluent and professional. Another aspect of this contents page that I have taken inspiration from is the issue number underneath the contents title. This reinforces the magazine's reputation as long running and established, forming connotations of experience and in turn reliability.

NME Contents Page Analysis

In this contents page, the header is fairly large at the top of the page, and the block written 'NME' that was also used in the masthead is used again here. Next to this it says 'THIS WEEK', which emphasises the fact that the events that are being covered are current and that NME are consistently providing news about this music genre. The use of a band index on the right of the page shows how in depth the magazine goes when it comes to providing the news about music, as well as implying that there is more content and features than other magazines of a similar nature. The fact that on this contents page there is an advertisement to subscribe to the magazine is clever as the contents page is the first page that the reader would look inside of a magazine, and therefore helps the magazine to make money through subscriptions.

One of the main aspects of this contents page that I may decide to apply to my own is the bars used behind the text that lists the features of the magazine. I am planning on using black boxes much like this one, but with red text on top of it. This would make the colour scheme and house style of the magazine to be even more obvious to the reader as it is these two colours that I used for the name of the magazine on the front cover. Similarly, I am planning on using red letters when indicating what page each article is, giving the magazine cohesion and making it consistent with the colour scheme.

Q Contents Page Analysis

The masthead of this particular contents page relatively minimalistic, with the design being similar aligning itself with the consistent house style that Q often use in their magazines, however the issue number is in the top right and the familiar Q logo just to the left of the title. In this page, colour is used to good effect, with the colour red seemingly highlighting the important features and information that is on the page. As you can see, as well as the masthead having lots of red around it, there are red bars under all of the features, and even the main feature, Dave Grohl, is wearing red which not only allows him to appear as part of the house style of Q but also to have his importance to the issue to be highlighted.

One of the main aspects that I may use to influence my contents page is the use of house style to highlight the important features on the page. I haven't yet gotten to the stage of deciding what my colour scheme is going to be, but I think it would be good for my magazine if I also use colours to my advantage in order to point out to the reader what the important parts of the page are and draw their eyes towards these features.

Rolling Stone Contents Page Analysis

In this contents page, a similar colour scheme with fairly limited font variation. This allows for a distinct house style to be formed as well as making the content minimalistic which allows the reader to read the magazine with greater ease as it allows for greater amounts of cohesion. Alongside this, it makes the page seem more professional and places importance on the text itself, which is what members of the target audience would be most attracted to. Also, the typical audience of a Rolling Stone reader is 20 years old and onwards, and the style of the font reflects this as the style of both the fonts and the page itself is quite mature. The use of images that are not only related to music helps to expand the target demographic, and the picture of an animal in this case helps to appeal to members of the audience that are interested in other areas of interest, not just music.

For my own contents page, I am planning on having a title at the top, much like this, to indicate that it is the contents page, and use similar fonts and colours around it to that used on the front cover for my masthead. This is to contribute to creating a distinct house style that will be fluent throughout my magazine. Also, I was planning on using around three images for my contents page, and have them in a similar layout in relation to the text, with the images on one side and the text on the other.