Double Page Spread Analysis

This magazine double page spread is extremely unique, as many different fonts and sizing has been used in terms of graphology. The large ‘S’ takes up most of the page on the right side, making it the central, and the first thing that is looked at on the page. The colour palette is again neutral, with the use of Lana Del Ray on the left the main source of colour by using, deep purples, a flash of red on her hair, and then a blurred finish to the image. Her iconic nails are always shown in her modelling, as it is recognised by her ‘fans’. She is extremely stylish and fits in with the style of the magazine, (Q Magazine) well. However the amount of text that is written hasn’t got a vast amount of detail. Therefore for my double page spread I would like to write an adequate amount of text, asking all of the correct questions that will entice my audience/readers, asking questions that everybody wants to know, but are unusual and quirky to relate back to the genre of the magazine.

This double page spread is rather sophisticated with the font use, size and the colour palette used. The ‘L’ in the centre of the page finishes off the palette of red, white and black. The L links with the singer ‘Lady Gaga’ but also the theme of ‘Q Magazine’, it reflects back to the genre of magazine, giving it their own take. The picture on the left is quite provocative to some readers, but can be enticing for female and male readers, because of the way Lady Gaga is positioned. Overall I really like this spread, as it has a professional vibe and is enticing to read, however I feel that the large ‘L’ in the middle is off putting, and could make it hard to read for the audience.

Again this magazine spread is professional and sophisticated, this time the image is less poised, and it is more relaxed, of the band in action at a gig/festival. This entices readers who possible went to the gig and want to read about what is said, and possible relate back to it, and almost relive the experience. The colour palette is mixed up slightly, and is not very specific. The colours are; blue, black, red, and white. These colours suit the genre well. However I feel that the colour of the background on the right shouldn’t be a harsh white, but maybe a more neutral light brown (sepia) this gives it a higher end appeal, as at the moment I feel the magazine looks tacky and lacks a few qualities. In my opinion the colour palette is everything and is a key technique that needs to be done in the correct way in order for the magazine sales to be successful.

Contents Page Analysis

This contents page uses a neutral colour palette of black, grey, tope, and mink. Even the model lying down is wearing neutral clothing and almost blends into the gradient background, however, her legs play a huge part on the page, as it draws our attention towards the title as we follow the model from her eyes all the way to her feet. The graphology is very unique and is set out in a very aesthetically pleasing way, as it is separated out into different layers. This style is extremely consistent throughout the magazine company, so make the magazine memorable just like a front cover page. Another graphology technique that I have analysed is the italic, glamorous font that is used as the subheadings for the contents page. The typography relates back to the style of magazine and genre. The outline of the ‘V’ in the background mimics the models legs, the model is in an abnormal position, as usually models look comfortable and are in a relaxed position. This makes the magazine different and perhaps the magazine wants to portray a different message for the specific audience.

This contents has inspired me to create one like this in my final magazine as it is so similar to the style and genre of my magazine, as it has a neutral colour palette, and I love the main cover image, the blurriness relates back to the magazine title of ‘Dazed & Confused’, the picture looks like a dream and what someone were to see if they were in a daze. The image is extremely unusual which I like, therefore I would like to use an image, the same size, shape and position of the image. As far as graphology goes the layout is rather simple, the rest of the background is white, which makes the page look clean and professional. The writing looks as if it has been cut out from a different piece of paper and stuck on, to create a creative and arty finish. The typography font used is in caps lock, and bold.

This contents cover is extremely different to the others that I have analysed, as it is on a double page spread. The focal image is of a male and female model, fitting in with the indie vibe that the magazine portrays. The graphology is similar to another magazine that I analysed, as the style of ‘cutting out’, It looks extremely effective and I am considering including this effect within my final magazine. The main colour palette that has been used are; red, black, white, yellow and other neutral tones. The font is very creative and arty as well, which looks like a label maker machine. In my previous posts in my blog I have used the label font, as I really like the style and the effect it has on making a page look. I used this font on my ‘X Magazine’ cover, stating ‘Lana Del Ray’.

Magazine Cover Research

 

This is one of my favourite covers that Company magazine have done, starring Alexa Chung. The masthead colour is bold and stands out above the other neutral colours used within the rest of the colour palette; the sizing is a perfect fit for the sizing of the magazine. The type of colour palette used has inspired me to create a magazine in this style, the neutral colours are great for a background which means brighter text and images can be placed over the neutral background. Alexa is covering the title as the magazine is well known to fashion readers. The fact that the magazine’s masthead is at the top is so when on a shelf, it is easily identifiable for the readers. The pricing is extremely prominent to readers as it is advertising a good offer of ‘£2’. The models that usually appear on the cover of this magazine are fashionable, young and original, reflecting on the magazines content. I love the font on the cover of this magazine as it is scruffy, and looks handwritten and I love the quirky style that is being represented. Quite a lot of text is written on the cover, such as, ‘The New Denim!’, ‘High-Street Edited’, although the cover line is short, it suggests what sort of content is in the magazine. The barcode is placed in an odd place as usual, but the barcode consists of the date, and the website. For a cheap magazine this is a successful cover, which has been made professional looking, and suitable for the target audience of 16-27 year olds. The position of Alexa looks really comfortable and chilled, which is the vibe I would like to achieve within my music magazine.



 

 

Dazed magazine is ‘The magazine with the long established reputation of having the best fashion, photography and art content in the entire world, Dazed & Confused also includes equally high-quality pieces on film editorial and music, and is one of the best magazines for any lover of culture’. The colour scheme is neutral but the clothes on Beyonce set the brighter scheme, making her the central mid shot of the magazine, implying that she will take part in some way within the magazine. The magazine masthead is covered quite a lot with Beyonce’s head, but as the magazine is well known around the world it becomes recognisable. The name of the magazine is really inspiring with a quirky vibe. Although, there is not much text on the cover, but as it a subscription magazine, collectors don’t really want writing covering the issues, there also appears to be no barcode on the cover which is also suitable for collectors ‘Beyonce pop vs life’ is a really enticing cover line, perhaps for an age range of 18-27 year olds. However this issue looks mature, than some of the other covers that Dazed has come out with. This implies that the magazine is targeting for a wider range of readers, suiting everybody’s needs.

 

Usually NME magazine masthead is red due to the colour scheme of black, red and white. These colours have still been used but the colour of Florence Welch’s (cover star) hair and the cover line incorporates the colour of red. Florence is behind the masthead in this issue, in some other examples of issues, most of the cover stars are layered over the top of the masthead, the font and sizing of NME is consistent throughout the issues. Underneath the masthead are the issue number and the pricing of the magazine, this is important information, so needs to be shown in an easy area, as the pricing and date is what is looked  at most in a magazine. The graphology used is extremely eye catching and attracts the reader’s attention. I love the fact that the word ‘Florence’ is the biggest font and boldest colour on the cover, as it is central and aesthetically pleasing. The idea of having something ‘free’ makes the readers want to buy the magazine even more as they feel as though they are getting things extra incorporated within the magazine, ‘free iconic joy division posters’, the word ‘posters’ implies that there is more than one poster. The barcode is placed at the bottom left hand corner, kept out of the way from the creative cover. I like the fact that it is discreet and not too ‘in your face’.  The magazine is classed as an ‘indie’ magazine, therefore has relevant singers and bands on the front cover such as Florence Welch. Her style and music really fits into the magazines genre.