Research, Double Page Spread

Before constructing my double page spread, I decided to do some research on double page spreads from well known magazines to find out the elements it consists of and how thee aspects may attract the target audience.

 

Above we have a double page spread from 'Q' magazine, a magazine known by many with a good reputation within the media. As shown, we can see a image of well known pop artist 'Lady Gaga' which takes up half of the double page spread. By displaying an image of a well known person who often many people may have interest in, is more likely to attract the target audience as it is very eye catching and appealing to the audience of the magazine. People are usually attracted to images and they are also the first aspect that a reader is likely to notice therefore by having a good quality, well taken picture, almost tells the story of the double page spread article instantly meaning that people are able to immediatly decide whether the article on the double page spread is some what of their interest or not. Also the image is in black and white which contributes to the house style of the entire 'Q' magazine in which the contrast of the image makes the image stand out even more. This is one of the reasons why images on double page spreads are so important as they are usually used in connection with what or who the text displayed on the page is about and is an instand appeal to its audience.

As well as the image being a dominant factor of the page, there are other design elements which contributes this in aid of catching the audiences attention. On the right hand side of the magazine we witness a red transparent letter displayed in the background of the written text. This is an element that would engage and attract the audience as its significance allows readers to want to stay on the page and read on. There is also use of a drops cap which would also portray the importance of a new topic being talked about within the article which allows readers to skip to specific parts and paragraphs within the article. These elements allow the readers to be in control of what they are and want to read leaving the audience the option whether they want to read the entire double page spread article, some of it, or simply flick through the pictures. The way in which the text is laid out is in columns which is used to help prevent confusion of where to start and where to finish reading. The use of columns also creates structure and organisation for the double page spread as the way in which the page is displayed has an effect on whether the page is appealing to the reader or not.