Double Page Spread Analysis

 

For my production task, I am going to be creating a double-page spread for an alternative rock music magazine. For this reason, I have decided to analyse a double page spread similar to one that I intend to make.

 

This double-page spread from an issue of Kerrang magazine centres around an interview with lead vocalist, Taylor Momsen, who is well known for being young and rebellious, after she finished playing the part of good-girl-gone-band in the popular television show, Gossip Girl. The look and feel of the double page spread reflects the idea that she has turned into a rebel quite well. For example: the heading is 'Wild Child' which implies that she has gone wild or 'off the rails'. The word 'child' has been written in a very large font and is in a white colour, both of which have connotations of innocence and purity. The word 'wild' is written in pink scribbled writing, suggesting that the writing is out of control. This makes the title an oxymoron, because you wouldn't typically see the words 'wild' and 'child' together.

 

The main image on the left page is a picture of her wearing black leather which makes the image sexualised to some extent. This could be seen as quite controversial, considering she is still young and shot to stardom at a very young age. She is wearing her trade-mark dark eye makeup and has quite a bored expression on her face, which could link to the fact that she is a teenager and the stereotype of a teenager is a rebellious moody person.

Magazine Cover Preproduction

Magazine Cover Analysis

Kerrang! Magazine

 

The masthead is one of the largest features on the front cover. It is bold and therefore, draws the eye immediately to it. The typeface used gives the appearance of broken glass, giving the magazine and edgy and unique feel. Onomatopoeia has been used because the word 'Kerrang' sounds similar to a guitar noise, which links to the general idea of the magazine covering stories related to rock music. The masthead is presented in exactly the same place and in the same way in every issue which signifies the fact that each issue contains the same type of content (news about bands, artists, tours, etc).

The main image is a picture of Paramore front-woman, Hayley Williams. She is making direct eye-contact with the audience, making them feel connected to her and therefore, encouraging them to buy the magazine. The background she is on in plain and white so as to not draw any attention away from her or the cover lines. 

The main cover line is quite large and is placed by the side of Hayley Williams' head. It is written in yellow and black which reflects the outfit that she is wearing and that the cover line is from an article about her. All of the other cover lines are also in the same three colours (white, yellow and black) so as to make the cover page look aesthetically pleasing. At the bottom, it is advertising a 'poster special', which again, is a way of encouraging people to buy the magazine, particularly fans of the bands that they are using pictures of. Next to the pictures of the posters, it says the first name of the people in the images which makes it seem that the audience and the people who have made the magazine know them well and are connected to them.

The masthead for this magazine is again, quite large and bold, however, it is quite plain and simple, making it less unique and recognisable. The masthead for this magazine changes quite a lot, which makes this magazine quite different to others. It is placed behind the main image which suggests that the producer feels as though the picture is more important in regards to selling the magazine than the actual brand itself.

 

The main image on the front cover of the magazine is a picture of the singer of a band called Lacuna Coil. She is making direct eye contact with the audience, drawing them in and making them want to read more because they feel connected to her. It a strong image because the background is quite minimalistic and her facial expression is quite serious.

 

There is another, smaller image in the right had corner at the bottom. It is a photograph of another front woman of a band. The picture along with the bold white text underneath it could draw the eye of any fans of her band, and encourage them to buy the magazine to read what the article is about.

 

The colour scheme for the magazine is white, black, red and yellow. These colours are quite harsh, and a lot of them have connotations of danger and anger. This links to the main image and the woman's serious facial expression. A lot of the text is bold which gives it a sense and feel of importance, and catches the eye of the reader more than a normal text would.