Double Page Ideas

Double Page Spread Analysis

Kerrang! Double Page Feature

The image spans both pages, with the text superimposed on in a mixture of ‘typewriter’ style fonts and a ‘drippy’ font. That adheres to the rock genre or being mismatched and unique, and also makes you think of a wall of posters/adverts with a mixture of different texts, advertising different upcoming gigs and events.

The mean and moody stances and looks of the all male band members, as well as the mish mash of clothes, yet again works with the rock-esk and dark colour scheme flow throughout the magazine thus far.

The main body of text, which pulls focus with the large T, is squished in the bottom right corner. However, wouldn’t that make it difficult to read? Seems odd to have all that space, and yet choose to push the text and therefore the focus of the article away.

‘In the company of darkness’ Dir En Grey is a heavy metal/rock band, and the metal/rock genre has often been associated in the past, and still now to some degree, as being a dark form of music, even demonic. This statement brings negative connotations with it, but also makes the reader feel that the band is something to be feared and respected in equal measure, daring them almost to read on.

Mix Mag Double Page Spread

Very bright colours! That all work nicely together to make it appear professional and neat. The only criticism I can see, is that the amount of pink used makes the spread seem quite feminine, three of the images are also female dominated, which further reinforces the feminine side put across by the colouring.

Unsuccessful parts I think would be the sheer amount of text, it seems like a lot to wade through, and it’s something I’m going to avoid in my magazine.

There’s northing really lost in the centre page fold, which is great, because I find it annoying when there’s text or a picture obscured by a big fold through it, again, something I’m going to avoid or at least try to avoid. I’ll do that by placing things so there can’t be any obstruction around the centre fold, this will hamper my layout choices a little, but I believe it’s worth it to get a professional looking result.

The images don’t really link wit the headers, they all look too clean to have been dancing all night, though I like the cheeky two finger sign on the top left hand page, gives the spread a funky, tongue in cheek vibe which is always great in a magazine, music or otherwise.

Q Magazine Double Page Feature

Boom! ‘YOU MUST HEAR!’ It’s a command in bold red letters, in a slightly old fashioned font. That gives off a vibe of ancient rules and commandments; they know what’s best for you like a parent does their child.

The casual stances of the band pictured, shows they’re easy going, and their instruments hit at them being an acoustic band, who are quite down to earth by the looks of their clothing.

The main text body is superimposed onto the main image which takes up both pages, the sticker interrupting the non covered picture, increasing the importance of whatever it says (too blurry for me to read :S).

I’d say it was a mixed gender spread, the all male band could go either way, and the simple black, red, and pine texture colour scheme isn’t gender specific. I’m inspired to make my colour scheme simple, however, I think this looks a teensy bit boring, even if it does conform to the magazine colour scheme.

One thing I find odd, is that its US bands only that are going to be featured, why not worldwide? But I guess it was to save space in the magazine, as to focus on one country would save a lot of research and time.

Alternative Press Double Page Feature.

I love the corkboard/brown paper background with the names of various band scrawled onto it like graffiti in the back of a notebook or on a wall.

It really links in with the punk subculture, as punk’s often modify clothing or an existing object, and are often associated with graffiti and being abit messy (scattered photographs).

It would also be likened to a yearbook, with photographs stuck about and big bold writing like someone’s signed it, the ‘Class of 2001’ being a big hint.

The colour scheme is relatively simple, and although I can’t comment on the house style, other then the red used is the same at the front cover logo I analysed, I feel it does fit in well with the alternative/indie scene.

Gender-wise, I think it may be a more masculine spread, as people don’t often associate the punk genre with women anyway, and all the images you can see have men in them.

Uncut Double Page Feature

All black and white! Ahhh! Hurts the eyes slightly! The black and white keys in with the ‘flashback’ article, but makes it all seem very dull. I like the low amount of text, but what text there is swamped by the Images.

Something odd I noticed, there’s no page numbers that I can see, which is odd, and makes the spread appear unprofessional slightly, although not all double pages in magazines have numbers on them.

All the images containing an instrument/s of some kind/s, really puts across the idea that these people know what their doing, and are professional musicians.

Definitely mixed gender, I can’t comment on the colour scheme as there’s only the greyscale and black, with a stark white background. I have a horrible feeling as well that this is some A level Media Students work rather then a proper magazine, and they’ve just used the same name.

Contents Page Draft

Tried to give it a mish-mash of styles that work together. I’ve included as little text as possible, and continued the house style with the banners on the top and bottom of the page, the vine-like stuff sprawling across the biggest image, and the ripped paper effect that’ll be more obvious with colour.

Contents Page Ideas

Contents Page Analysis

Kerrang! Contents page

It's rather busy, and quite cluttered, which is probably because of the large image sizes taking up most of the A4 space available.

For that reason, i'm tempted to make a double page contents page, in order to have nice big images and uncluttered text.

The colours are bold and striking, continuing where the front cover left off. There isnt much blank space, which overall makes the page seem busy and 'happening'.

The house style adheres to the colour scheme set forth by the front cover, allowing the the style to flow from page to page.

The mixture of band photos, live photos and album covers, shows the magazine covers a wide range of music mediums, which means that all kinds of rockers will find something to interest them in this issue.

Some images are slanted, and all have a shadow effect on. This makes them feel like they're popping off the page at the viewer, keeping up the edgy feel as put across by the cover and whole magazine/brand overall.

Mix Mag Contents Page

I'm not sure if this contents page is from the same issue as the contents page i analysed, so I cant comment on the flow, but it does share simular house styles, such as the fonts used, and the simple colours.

I like this contents page, its got all the information needed, but its uncluttered with nice big pictures.

Only problem i think, is that it looks abit boring, with lots of plain white space which although is used effectively, makes it slightly dull.

It's a mixed genre magazine, however, the mainly masculine images and just one, small image of a woman, can suggest that its aimed at either a female demographic, or simply a range of ages, as there is an image of a young man, of a middle aged man, and what appears to be a young woman.

The colours stand out well on the plain white background, the block of yellow on the lower image attracting the eye almost immediately, letting you know straight away that although its a serious magazine, it has a playful vibe.

Q Magazine Contents Pages

I know this contents page isn't from The Fader magazine, but i couldn't find a contents page for the Fader, so i decided to use a contents page from Q magazine, as it's in the same genre as my chosen magazine genre.

This is a double contents page, which im interested in doing for my magazine.

However, i'm unsure if i can, as i'm only allowed to submit up to 4 images, and i don't know if the double page spread has to be split into two images. If i can, id have more room for images and text, to stop it looking littered.

I like the big page numbers put onto the images, if you know what that image is, you know straight away what page o go to. because of this, i think they've stuck to the stark colour scheme, as you wont spend much time on it if your going to quickly skip ahead to the page you want.

If you want to read it thoroughly however, there is alot of information about every article and story inside the magazine, the imges being slanted wo make it appear jam packed, or perhaps like a sketchbook.

NME Contents Page

I chose this contents to do as I couldn't find a contents page for Alternative Press, and seeing as how NME Magazine fits my magazine genre, I can use this for analysis.

There are alot of images on here, with nice big page numbers like in Q Magazine. This draws the eye to each individual image, though the dull colours detract somewhat. In that sense, the theory of having stylish, dim images doesn't work well in the respect of having a vibrant and lively cover, but is successful in being visually striking. the dark colours contrasting with the plain white backdrop and the pale blue subscription prompt.

The page numbers on this contents magazine are black in a white box. Compared to the above Q Magazine page numbers of white in a black box, but one in a white box with black font, and one without a box entirely, has inspired me to have large page numbers on my images which are coloured to suit the image for maximum visibility. 

Uncut Contents Page

The one large greyscale image makes the contents page seem classy and neat. The clear colour scheme stands out well against the plain white background, and the greyscale adds a touch of nostalgia to the image, which it being a farewell article makes sense.

The large page numbers are also evident, and successful in getting across a no-nonsense vibe, as well as clearly stating what page has what featured on it.

The greyscale image of a man playing guitar with a drum kit in the background, suggest closeness to the performers, as if he’s playing for the reader directly. This can work to make the reader feel they have a commitment to the magazine, and so hook in the viewer emotively as well as visually.

Front Cover Draft

The picture is of Noel Fielding.

I'm thinking of having an image of him on my magazine, because he's wacky and alternative, and also he was featured in the 9/1/12 issue of NME Magazine, and the 31/1/12 issue as well. And seeing as how NME Magazine is in the right genre for my magazine, and so features relevant people, I’ve chosen him to feature in my magazine. Also because I like him, and his new show ‘Luxury Comedy’ on channel 4, it’s so quirky and out there, different to anything else I see on TV.

I have a bar code with a price and issue number on, as well as a main image and space for a logo on the top half of the page. I haven’t got a logo yet, as I’m not sure what to call my magazine yet. When I know, I'll create a few different logos, and choose my favourite from the lot, and then add it to the draft.

The keyring space I decided to add, as it’s nice to have a free gift with a magazine, especially seeing as how the magazine is £3.50, it can be an added incentive to buy, and look out for different versions of the keyring.

The border around the cover, gives it a definite house style that I can use and utilise throughout the magazine in order to get the best flow.

The writing is just a few ideas as to what stories and articles can be included in the contents pages, still have no clue what to put on the double page spread :S

THE BIGGEST EVER ISSUE! banner grabs the eye, it would be in a bold colour along with the logo and top of barcode, not only to make it visually appealing, but to aid in getting the magazine flying off the shelves.

Front Page Ideas