Double Page Spread

 

Double Page Spread

From my research done, the double page spreads of magazines have a large image usually on one side of page but could sometimes blend in with the text. The image used is used as direct address, which entices the reader to buy the magazine because the celebrity in the magazine is looking directly at the audience. This technique is used to therefor encourage the music magazines target market to buy the magazine.

Almost all music magazines enlarge a quote said by the celebrity from the interview, which they would think would interest their target readers. This is sometimes presented as the headline, or by the picture and sometimes it is even used in the text, to break it up by making it bold or stand out in some way. The quotes used are usually rather controversial or shocking to grip the reader.

Another convention that most music magazines would follow is the celebrities name being bold somewhere on the double page spread. This is to make them stand out more as a celebrity, as well as make it easier for their readers to identify who is featuring in the magazine. They also include a stand first, which is like an introduction to the celebrity that is included. Some readers may not know who the celebrity is just from the image; therefore introducing them would save some readers not knowing who they were reading about.

All text on a double page spread should be 11 pt; however some magazines make the font connote the genre of the music their magazine is selling. All double page spreads have a drop cap which shows the reader when to start reading. The text is set into columns, usually 2-4 columns. This is to make the text appear tidy and not all over the page. The page number, magazine name and text throughout usually use the same font to show professionalism and consistency.

The main image on the double page spread is usually on the left side however some magazines go against the codes and conventions and put it on the right side. Sometimes the image would even stretch over the both pages with little text on the side although this is not in every music magazine, it is relatively common. Also the picture on the double page spread will always relates to the article.

Double page spreads follow the same color scheme that is used throughout the magazine; it is usually simple so it doesn’t overpower the article or look over done. I also found out through research that the name of the celebrity is sometimes highlighted by the color scheme. The color schemes would usually help the readers to connote which genre the magazine is, for example black, red and white are mostly used a lot in rock magazines.