Evaluation question 1 double page spread

FOLLOWING AND CHALLENGING CONVENTIONS: INSPIRATION FROM EXISTING

PRODUCTS

Double Page Spread

LOGO’S AND SUBHEADINGSA convention of double page spreads is a small subheading in one corner that tells the reader what kind of feature the article is e.g. an interview, a review etc. It is also often paired with the logo of the magazine. These images from NME, Q and Kerrang! illustrate how this convention is used. As you can see, some use both a subheading and a logo, whereas some just simply use one or the other. I chose to use both the logo and a subheading, however rather than positioning this at the corner of a page, I decided to position this in the centre of the page, similar to MOJO’s double page spreads.

MAIN IMAGESMain images on double page spreads conventionally take up at least one whole page, often overlapping onto two. The examples here, from NME, MOJO and Q demonstrate how the image framing can range from mid-shot to close up, depending on the amount of people in the picture. I chose to do a mid shot to long shot in order to depict both of my artists clearly. I also used an image that took up only one page as I didn’t want any of it to overlap the article. On the other hand, I am aware that her arm enters the fold, however this is not a major disadvantage, therefore I have maintained my image.

DROP CAPSDrops caps are a convention that magazines use to introduce the double page spread article or even sometimes to introduce each new paragraph. There are some examples or drop caps used by NME, Q and MOJO. I followed this convention in my own article, using one at the beginning of the text. I decided not to keep using them throughout my article such as for new paragraphs as I didn’t think this was necessary due to the article being quite short. Conventionally, drop caps are often a different colour or font or both, to the actual text, I decided to challenge this convention by keeping my drop cap the same colour as my text colour. I wanted to follow my colour scheme of red, white and black.

PULL QUOTES & TITLESPull quotes are another convention of double page spreads and are often placed so that they interrupt the columned text, which is demonstrated here in an example from NME. I followed this convention in my own product, however I placed the pull quote at the top of the page in order to entice the reader to read this particular article. Pull quotes are usually printed in a different font or colour to make them stand out which again, I have adhered to with my magazine. Some magazines only included pull quotes as the title of the article, but I decided against following that convention due to reasons I will explain in the next section. I have used this pull quote as the title of my double page spread also, to further entice the reader to read this particular article.

PAGE NUMBERSPage numbers are a convention and a necessity of double page spreads, so that readers can quickly and easily find articles using the contents pages. Most magazines print page numbers very small on the outer corner of the page, so they are unnoticeable. This is evident in Elle magazine, Closer and Q magazine. Another convention is to not place the page number on the image page. I have followed this convention by placing my page number on my article page therefore persuading my reader to read onto the next page.

COLUMNSThis example from Q magazine shows how columned text is a convention that all magazines use when producing double page spreads, therefore I used this convention in my own magazine in order to make my product successful and professional. Columns make the article clearer and easier to read for the audience, as well as making the page look more interesting. I chose to use three columns in order to layout my article so I could fit as much detail as possible onto this page. Most magazines choose to write in two columns, however I felt necessary, for this article that I choose to write in three columns. I believe my article looks clear and appeals to my target audience therefore they will feel enticed to read my magazine as a whole.