Research: Double Page Spread

Now that I have finished my contents page I can begin researching my double page. To do this I am going to analyse two different magazines and look closely at the kind of layout and structure they use for their double page. The first magazine I am going to analyse is Q Magazine:

Design and Layout
The design Q have used is really rather simple. They have chosen a main image that dominates the whole upper half of the left hand page. They have then used another image on the right hand page that uses a quater of the top half of the page. I think this is extreamly effective because it really breaks up the text and allows the reader to have something they can see visually as well as read. They have also used a number of pull quotes dotted around the page, again this is an effective technique to seperate the text and make it easier to read.

Font Style:

The actual text in the article has been made really easy to understand as the same font has been maintained all the way through the article. Q have used a black font for the majority of the article, However they have used an electric blue to highlight a particular word. Also they have emboldened their pull quotes. I think this is very effective because they succeed in drawing attention to themselves.

Language:

The language Q have used is relativly simple. This is perfect because it fits in with the grown up market they are aiming their magazine at. Also the voice the article uses is very easy going and treats the reader like a mate. I think this is a really good voice to use because it draws the reader in and then sustains their attention because the voice is not patronising or too serious, the audience are interested.

ImageLayout:

For their images Q have chosen to use a long shot of the popular and band Razorlight. They have used techniques on the image such as splashes of water. The band are all dressed in similar clothes of black, however the main singer is wearing a blue shirt. The expressions on the mens faces are very serious. They are looking directly at the camera, therefore they engage their audience. Their broody expressions fit perfectly with the indie image that Q has successfully created with their double page spread. Q have also used another image, however this image is a medium close up fo one person. The band memeber is looking directly at the camera and again wears a moody expression.

The next magazine I am going to analyse is Kerrang:

Design and Layout

Kerrang have taken a completely different approach to Q. Instead of having a smaller picture and therefore more text, Kerrang have taken up an entire page with their main image. Also instead of having columns like Q, Kerrnag instead has two paragraphs of writing that stretch across the whole page. Kerrang still has some of the typical conventions for a double page however it is not nearly as effective as Q's layout and design. Although I do think that for the type of audience Kerrang is aiming their magazine at it works well. It's simple, easy to understand and visually effective.

Font Style:

Like Q Kerrnag has taken a similar approach of keeping to the same fonts. However Personally I think because the layout is so simple Kerrang could of made their double page more interesting by having a range of different fonts.

Language:

The language Kerrang has used is very simple, however that works as the type of audience Kerrang target really aren't bothered about the use of flashy terms, they mainly want to find out information on their favourite bands as quickly and simply as possible. Where as Q uses more articulate wording. Kerrnag simply delivers information it doesn't try to form a friendly realtionship with the audience. However for the type of magazine Kerrang is that approach does work.

Image Layout:

Like one of Q's images, Kerrang uses a medium close up shot. This is really effective as it draws attention to what the popular band "Green Day" are wearing. The main singer is looking above the camera, where as another of the band memebers is staring directly at the camera and then the final band member is looking upwards. These focal points make the band seem very dynamic. The expressions on the band members faces show no expression. Which again fits with the type of magazine Kerrang is.

The research I have done has really helped me. I now have a lot of different Ideas of what I am going to do for my own double page. However There are some layout choices Kerrnag have used that I dont like therefore I will not waste a whole page on one image as my target audience is intelligent and enjoy reading.