Double Page Spreads

Above are three double page spreads. They have all been set out in the same style and pop magazines tend to do this as they feel it is a good way to represent the magazine and makes it look more presentable and easy on the eye. The layout on these double page spreads are very similar as they have all placed a large image of a celebrity on the left hand side, then the following article on the right has been placed with a large letter over lapping or underneath the text. This is the basic layout and only the colours vary from the three different double page spreads. This design is popular in magazines such as 'Q' the design is used by many different magazines which are mainstream, all in which think the design is suitable.

The way the text has been set out is in columns which is what magazines do to make the text more presentable, easy to read and breaks the text up so it doesn't look like as much to read. The first two double page spreads each have three columns along the right hand side of the page, and the last double page spread has only two columns, this being because a different font has been used on the first column of the article meaning less space. The columns are all the usual width, they are not too wide, and meaning less information is shown. However on the last double page spread, the first column is wider due to a different font being used.

The font used for the articles are all the same apart from the one section on the last double page spread. Usually with a mainstream magazine, all the fonts are the same and they rarely change and this is the case for these double page spreads. The font most commonly used is Arial font size 11. The size of the font can vary slightly depending on the magazine genre of music it is appealing to. On the last double page spread the first column has been put in a completely different font, this may be to highlight it/ make it stand out and interest the reader as it may be slightly different to the rest of the article.

All three double page spreads have used up all the space available on the two pages, the first page is completely filled with the image of the celebrity which the article talks about. On the right of every page the columns have been added and as the articles are long all the space are again filled up so no other parts can be included like another image.

For the first two double page spreads the colour scheme is very similar between them. The large image on the left has been filtered in to black and white and then a large red letter is overlapping the columns. Then in reverse with the last double page spread, as the picture has been placed with colour, the letter overlapping the columns is black. The colour scheme is very similar to all three double page spreads and makes the magazine look formal and keeps it consistent through each issue of it.

For these double page spreads, only one image has been included on each one. A large image of a celebrity has been placed on the left page and stands out a lot as no other writing is included on the page to make the picture stand out more. On the right hand page, no images are included at all which to some magazines are very un-usual and some would say the magazine is plain and is very limited visually.

The page numbers on the double page spreads are at the bottom left and right of the two pages. The page number is there along with the name of the magazine again. This may be included as the magazine name is very short, it wouldn't be the same effect if the magazine name was longer and more complicated but as for this magazines particular name, it is ok to include it by the page number.

For these particular double page spreads, no branding has been included on the pages. No advertisement or products have been placed on the pages; these have been totally devoted to the celebrity and nothing else. Often, double page spreads have adverts for different products. For example a pop magazine which includes artists such as one direction, may include one direction merchandise which you can buy, on the double page spread. This depends on the magazine and the genre of music they apply to.

The ratio for text to image or image to text is equal on all three. One page is devoted to one picture only and the other side is devoted to the article itself and has completely been filled with the article rather than more images. The ratio of this is equal and this makes it more appealing to viewers. They know the article is not too long in which they will probably lose interest however it is not too short so no important information is included about the specific celebrity.