Magazine Double Page Spreads

The importance of a double page spread: 

The double page spread is the main article/feature within the magazine; it is usually based on the main article/feature that is shown on the magazine front cover. However there is often more than one double page spread within the magazine. Therefore the double page spread has an important role in selling the magazine. Double page spreads are two pages that are next to each other within the magazine and work in conjunction.

The conventions of a double page spread:

Main Image:

The main image on a double page spread usually dominates half of the spread this is to draw the reader attention onto the image rather than the text. The main image relates to the article/feature to the main image on the magazine front cover and contents page. In the main image the subject is usually making eye contact with the camera and often has a friend facial expression; this makes the reader more interested in the article. Sometimes double page spreads will include other images; however these will be smaller in size in comparison to the main image. 

Headline:

The headline on a double page spread is used to grab the readers attention, therefore making them want to read the article/feature. The headline is the largest text on the double page spread and is usually a short a statement or phrase; this also helps to grab the readers attention because it is easy to read. The headline is often written in a different font to the rest of the text on the double page spread which helps it to stand out. Headlines are usually placed at the top of the double page spread because that is where the readers eyes will look first. 

Stand First: 

A stand first is placed below the headline but before the main body text. It is placed below the headline because the headline will make the reader curious about the article/feature and the stand first will resolve their curiosity. A stand first is used to set the tone of the article and briefly summaries what the article/feature is about. 

Main Body Text: 

The main body text is the largest part on the double page spread because it contains all of the information about the article/feature.  The main body text is usually split up into a few columns, this is done so that there are spaces between the text which makes it appear shorter than it actually is; which means the reader is more likely to read it. These columns are operated by a thin vertical liked called a ‘Gutter’. The gutter helps to show the reader the divide between the columns. The main body text will relate to the main image and headline that are also on the double page spread. The main body text usually is informal because it makes it more personal to the reader. 

Pull Quote: 

Pull quotes use the most interesting parts of the article/feature and empathise them. Pull quotes can be taken directly from the main body text or can be summarised extracts. Pull quotes have a larger font than the main body text, so that it ‘pulls’ the readers attention. They also often are written in a different colour font to the rest of the article which makes them more visible to the reader. Sometimes pull quotes are framed; this helps to draw the readers attention to them further. Pull quotes are a good way to break up large sections of the main body text to give the article/feature a more interesting look.  Pull quotes are useful because when the reader scans the article/feature, the pull quotes will stand out to them and then they will want to properly read it to find out the context of the quote.

Drop Capital: 

A drop capital is a large letter at the beginning of the main body text. They often vary in size, but most usually drop down by 8 lines. The drop capital helps to give the article/feature a more interesting look. 

Running Head:

The running head is a navigational element used on double page spreads to help guide the reader. Running heads have the same headings as the subheadings on the contents page. They are usually placed in brightly coloured boxes so that they are visible to the reader even when the magazine in closed. Running heads aren't found on every page but are usually placed at the beginning of each section. 

Gutter: 

The gutter is a small amount of space between the columns of the main body text. The gutter is sometimes marked with a thin line to clearly show the space. The gutter helps to show a clear divide between the columns of the main body text which makes the article/feature less chaotic. 

Typography: 

A double page spread will often have various different fonts, font sizes and font colours to make the article/feature more eye-catching and interesting to the reader. Typography is important in making the double page spread appear aesthetically pleasing. 

Magazine Contents Pages

The importance of a contents page: 

Magazine contents pages are used to inform the audience of all of the articles that are inside that issue of the magazine. The contents page has a structured layout and is usually divided into different categories and headings; this makes it easier for the audience to navigate around the magazine. Magazine contents pages should follow a 50:50 ratio, of text to image; this means that they have a balanced structure. Magazine contents pages tend to all follow the same conventions however they layout and style of them will differ from magazine to magazine to make each one unique.

The conventions of a contents page:

Main Image:

There is always one main image on a contents page and it is the biggest image on the page. The main image usually relates to the main article/feature within the magazine and the image on the magazine front cover. The main image is used to frame the contents page because the text is position around it. However there are also other images on the contents page. These other images are usually smaller than the main image and have the page number to its article and have anchorage text. The anchorage text is usually written on top of the image or is written below it; the anchorage text is usually a short description but it can occasionally be a pull quote.

Logo:

The logo is positioned next to the masthead; across the top of the contents page. The logo is placed next to the masthead because it is one of the first things the reader looks at one on the contents page. It is important to have the magazine logo on the contents page because it helps to advertise the magazine further and means that the reader is more likely to remember if they see it frequently throughout the magazine.

Masthead:

The masthead on a contents page, usually just starts ‘Contents’ so that the reader is aware what the page is. The masthead is the biggest text on the page because it is the most important text on the page. The font of the masthead is usually the same or is similar to the other fonts on the contents page; this shows how they are connected and make the page more fluent.

Subheadings:

Subheadings on a contents page are used to categorise the articles on the contents page into different sections and topics. By categorising the articles on the contents page it helps to create an organised layout which makes it easy for readers to navigate around the page and find the specific articles that they are interested in. There are usually a couple of subheadings on the contents page so that each article is in its relevant section. 

Advert: 

Adverts on the contents page of the magazine are usually advertising the next issue or a subscription plan. The advert might include details of what is in the next issue or the costs of a monthly subscription. Occasionally the advert might be the names of the magazines social media profiles and contact information. Adverts are used so that the reader can find out additional information about the magazine. The adverts only take up a small section of the magazine contents page because it isn't the main focus of the page. 

Colour Scheme: 

The colour scheme of a contents page usually follows the same as the magazine front cover; this is to show fluency within the magazine. 

Magazine Front Covers

The importance of a magazine front cover: 

The front cover of magazine is a vital part of selling the magazine. A magazine front cover is important because it is the first thing the audience/reader will see, therefore it needs to be eye-catching. Each magazine front cover has to be different from the previous issue however similar enough for their audience to recognise it. On every issue of the magazine the masthead and logo will remain exactly the same in size and will stay in the same place. However it is likely that the colour scheme will change to make it related to the main image on the cover. When designing magazine front covers, several ideas should be tried and tested with a target audience. However most magazine do not have enough time to do this, so they have to make sure that they spend time on seriously designing the magazine front cover.

The conventions of a magazine front cover:

In order for a magazine to sell successfully, they should follow the conventions of a magazine. The conventions of a magazine help to make the front cover aesthetically pleasing to the audience as well as provide a solid structure for the magazine. If the conventions are poorly followed or aren't followed at all it will make the audience less likely to buy the magazine. 

Masthead:

The masthead usually appears across the top of the magazine front cover, because of this it is the first thing that the audience will read. The masthead is written in bold, large font this is to show that it is the main title on the magazine front cover; it is also written in a different font to headlines, cover-lines and bylines on the front cover, this helps to reinforce the idea that it is the main text on the front cover. The masthead needs to be the similar on each issue to make it instantly recognisable to its audience. This means that the target audience will easily be able to find the magazine when it is placed on a shelf filled with other magazines. The colour of the masthead will often vary on each issue so that it matches the colour scheme of the magazine front cover.  The masthead of a magazine is usually just one word because it is easier for the audience to remember because it is brief. 

Main Image:

The main image is the most eye-catching image on the magazine front cover. The image usually shows the person/persons looking at the camera; preferably smiling. The main image is often linked to the main article/feature within the magazine. In most cases the person/persons on the front cover are the main reason why the issue sells; this is why some magazine front covers with celebrities on sell more copies than ones that don’t.

Headline:

The headline summaries the main article/feature within the magazine to a sentence or phrase. The headline is always linked to the main image on the magazine front cover. The headline font is smaller than the masthead but it bigger than the cover-line; this is to make it stand out amongst other sell-lines to show that it is the most important article/feature within the magazine. 

Coverline:

A cover-line usually has smaller font than the masthead and headline, but has larger font than the bylines. Cover-lines are used to give more information about the main headline article to make you read on. 

Byline: 

A byline is the headline and text of a smaller, less important article/feature within the magazine. Bylines are usually found on with the left or right hand side of the magazine front covers so that they don't cover the main image. Bylines have a small font, this is to highlight that they are not the most important article/feature in the magazine. 

Colour Scheme:

Colour schemes are used on magazine front covers to make them more eye-catching and atheistically pleasing. When a magazine determines its colour scheme they consider what colours will work with the main image and the genre of the magazine. The colour scheme helps to add a specific atmosphere to the magazine front over and emphasise the genre of the magazine. The colour scheme of the magazine will help to attract the target audience. 

Strap-Line:

A strap-line is a thin band of text, either at the top or bottom of a magazine front cover. The strap-line previews the articles/features that will be inside the magazine. It helps to show the audience that they magazine is full of articles and will therefore be getting good value for money. 

Barcode:

A barcode is a small image of bars and spaces, they are usually found in the bottom left hand corner of the magazine. Barcodes do not contribute to the theme 0r design of the magazine however they are compulsory because they are used to identify the product. 

Puff/Starburst:  

A puff/starburst is a shape used to draw attention to the text written on top of it. It draws attention to it because it is different to the rest of the magazine however it dos follow the colour scheme of the magazine front cover. 

Pug:

A pug is usually found in the top left hand or right hand corner of the magazine (it usually appears under the masthead).  Pugs usually contain the price of the magazine, the issue number and the date. 

What is a Music Magazine?

A music magazine is a magazine that is completely dedicated to music. In a music magazine you will usually find interviews with artists/musicians, concert reviews, photoshoots, record reviews as well as music news. Music magazines focus their entire content around one specific genre such as Indie, Rock, Hip-Hop or Pop to attract a niche audience; this means that the genre of the magazine will determine who will buy the magazine. A niche audience is a relatively small audience that all share a specific interest, such as fishing or music. 

Comparing Genres:

These are two examples of music magazines, they are both different in genre and are trying to attract different audiences. The main image on the magazine cover is of a specific band/artist; this helps to determine what genre of music the magazine is focused its content on and what audience it is trying to attract. 

The first magazine is NME which predominantly features rock and indie bands and artists. The front cover shows the Indie Rock band Peace. The magazine cover also features the names of other Indie Rock artists, this will help the magazine to attract people who are interested in these artists and the genre of music. Using an Indie Rock band on the cover helps to reinforce the genre the magazine is based on. The second magazine is VIBE which predominantly features Hip-Hop and R&B bands and artists. The front cover shows the R&B rapper/singer Drake. The magazine cover also features the names of other R&B artists to attract people who are interested in these artists and the genre of music. Using a R&B artists on the cover helps to reinforce the genre the magazine is based on.

Different genres of music magazine offer different content and features to try and persuade their target audience to purchase the magazine. I decided to research two other music magazine genres so that I could fully understand the different techniques that they use to portray their genre. 

Rock music magazines include articles that strictly about music (no gossip). They tend to use dark colours such as red, black and navy blue, this is to connote a serious atmosphere because it is aimed for people of an older audience. Some rock magazines offer the free gift of a CD sample to emphasis that it is a music magazine. Rock magazines use more text on the front cover to give out of context snippets of what is inside the magazine so that the target audience will want to read more. 

Pop music magazines include articles about mainstream artists.  Their articles are mainly focused on gossip about these artists, this is to attract their target audience who aspire to be like them artists. Pop magazines use bright colours such as pinks, yellows and blues, this is to connote a positive and fun atmosphere. They also often provide free gifts such as nail polish and makeup, this makes the target audience want to buy it more. Pop magazines use short headlines/headings because their target audience is younger, and therefore use more images than text to keep them interested.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Kiera King and I have created this blog to collect all of my music magazine coursework. I will use this blog to track my progress throughout the course. To prepare me for making my music magazine, I created a school magazine front cover and contents page using Adobe Photoshop, to view this you can click here.