Codes and Conventions of a Double Page Spread
By Sophie Meadows
Images
The Main
Image on a double page spread usually takes up the entire left hand of the page or it continues to spread across the whole
double page. The image of the artist/Band is either a long medium or a long shot, which lets the audience see the entire person/s.
Colour Scheme
The Colour Scheme for a double page spread can go both ways, it can either follow the colours that are used on the front cover, or the colours can change completely if they are reflecting the content that is being talked about.
Direct Address
Direct Address is used for the Main Image, as the photographer is aiming to achieve an engagement with the audience of the magazine. This makes for a better Main image on the Double Page Spread as when the audience is reading the main body text, the Image easily relates.
Mise-En-Scene
The Mise-En-Scene of the photograph on the double page spread normally reflects the artist/band, telling the audience what genre the artist/band is, along with the Clothing(costumes), the lighting of the picture and the body language. The mise-En-Scene is very important as the Image will be related to the Main Body Text.
By-Lines
On the Main Image, By-Lines can be found, these are what tell us who has written the article and who has taken the photo. They can also tell us other things like where the photo was taken, the date of the photo, or even the name of the person in the picture on the double page.
Drop Capital
A drop capital is important for introducing the start of the article for the double page. The very first paragraph uses a massive Drop Capital, as the introducing letter, They can very in size, but normally drop down about 8/9 lines.
Pull Quote
Pull Quotes can be found around the double page spread either on the Main Image or found within the Main Body Text (actual article itself). These Pull Quotes are normally quotes found in the article itself that represent a part of the story of the Artist or band and they ar enormally bigger in font and bolder.
Headline/Title
The title of the article is the biggest font on the page, it is dominant over the smaller main body text. The headline/title also has its own font and its own colour, separating it from the main body text and making it stand out, so the audience knows that it is the title for the double page spread.
Stand First
A stand first is the introduction to the article itself. you will always find it on a double page spread as it is the introduction before the Main body text. It normally says something about the artist/band or relates to the main body text before the audience read it.
Columns
A double page spread always contains columns. The columns are mainly separated into 3 or 4, depending on the contents of the double page spread. The columns are there to separate the main body text so it is not all clumped together, it also gives each paragraph or new sentence a bit of space from the last. Making the article easier to read.
Contrast
A double page spread needs to consist of a contrast between the colour of the text and the background. For example, in Q magazine the writing for the main body text is black, and the background of the double page spread is always a lighter colour, making the text stand out to the reader.
Language
In a double page spread article, the language of the main body text is always relaxed. This makes the audience feel relaxed while reading the article, as it is simple but yet still explains what is happening in the double page spread.
Extra Information
The artist name can sometimes be seen in one of the top corners of the article.
The date can be found at the bottom of the magazine of each page.
There is normally an arrow or a page curl whenever an article is carried on from a double page spread to show it continues.
At the end of each article there is normally a little logo, or a bold square that states the end of the article, these are seen throughout a magazine.
At the end of an article, text can be found in italics which normally tell information about the artist/bands career etc.
