My analysis of three double page spreads.

1. Double Page Spread Analysis

2. I think this double page spread is evenly laid out and that both the image and text lead this spread as I think they are balanced because the image and font of the pull quote stand out as soon as you turn the page to this. This double page spread has only four columns of text and they are organised evenly, neatly and they are all next to each other in a line, I think this then doesn’t make the writing (article) so significant compared to the pull quote and main image as it makes the writing look very small. The image of the artist Lily Allen is positioned to the right of this DPS and it has taken up a whole side of the two pages and a bit of it even goes onto the left side page. This image doesn’t look like its been edited to much as it hasn’t got much colour and this is quite a simple image that is just literally showing her in a natural position and it looks as if she’s leaning in to listen to something. This image is a very different image as to how Lily Allen is normally seen in magazines because she’s usually doing something crazy or dresses weirdly and this image makes her look interesting, even more with the large pull quote next to her to draw readers in even if there is a small amount of writing on this DPS. I think the connotative meanings of this photo is that she also wants people to take her seriously at and know that she isn’t exactly like what people say. This pull quote is stating that she’s got other sides to her and I think this is trying to tell people that she has feelings, she’s just a young girl trying to have fun and that she’s just a normal person inside. This pull quote is telling readers that she’s not everything that people say she is which also links in to what the article as a whole is trying to say. Also to me this is a very personal quote from her whereas I think it would lose it’s point if a quote from someone else covered this page. That fact that the journalist has only use one large image on this DPS makes a bigger emphasis on her as a person as they don’t include little pictures of her, maybe performing etc. There may be images on the next page to carry on but as this being the first page about her I think the use of one image makes a big impact. The standfirst of this DPS is defiantly the image and quote because it is just an obvious introduction to the artist because they don’t have LILY ALLEN in bold as a headline to introduce, they just simple jazzed up the quote and kept the image simple to introduce this article all about her. This quote is made eye catching through the font, as the letters are different sizes e.g. in the word ‘people’ it has been made with the P and O big and then there's a small L and this is used in every word of this quote. The use of bold and capitals turns this quote into a headline. The VALS of this magazine is quite calm as this image isn’t portraying a wide range of emotions etc. I think the values are the interest in Lily Allen as a solo artist and it just seems to be a general interview on what’s going on with her at the moment, what’s her plans for the future and personal sides to her lifestyle. I think the target readership would be for people who tend to like Lily Allen or maybe her music because to me NME is a British music magazine that can be linked to the indie genre but Lily is more of a pop artist so I think her as a main feature would interest people who just generally like her and would want to read about her.

3. This DPS Is mainly picture-led as nearly the whole page is taken up by different pictures of different sizes. This makes it effective because the DPS is about the main stage at the festival ‘download’ and these are pictures from it on one particular day which Is what this article is about. There are only three columns of text on this page they are organised so the first is longer than the other two making the top of the first column acting as an introduction before it starts at the same point as the other columns do. There are only a few paragraphs in this because its just a long piece of text talking about various different bands performances. The layout and design of this DPS isn’t what you would call neatly laid out because it looks like the pictures haven’t been arranged in anyway particular, and they haven't been to bothered about pictures over lapping etc but I think that makes this page look good as this is a rock magazine so if they went for a neat layout then it would lose its effectiveness. The images used on this page are bands and solo artists performing at download festival 2007. The lead singers and other bands members are positioned ‘rocking out’ and just generally putting on a good performance, these images then have connotative meanings which are that these images act like adverts and the reason I say this is that the people who see these singers in magazines looking good during a performance would make people want to go to a festival like this to experience the real thing. The portrayal of these images definitely link in with the bands images because they are rock/ heavy metal bands etc and I think if there were pictures of them sitting down etc it just wouldn’t suit the genre of the music they sing. And it would look boring. This image of Marilyn Manson looks scary and evil and that’s obviously hoe he wants his image to be as a solo rock artist with the make-up, tattoos and black outfits whereas if he was wearing pink fluffy ears he would totally lose his image. The headline has been kept very simple and the colour scheme fits with the colours used on the DPS as a whole. The language in this headline is pretty simple as all they've done is just introduced the article and images and just told the readers the place and day and they have just left any other information for the text in the right hand corner. They don’t use any direct quote in this headline, the quotes are mainly in the actually article. The font style is just bold so it can be seen and its been placed in the top left hand corner so it doesn't cover up any of the images. They have written main stage in white as if that’s an important thing as the main stage might be the biggest and where the headline acts perform. The attitudes of this DPS comes across as being really rebellious yet fun, but I think to some people who aren’t really into this sort of thing it could come across as being a little bit scary and all too much and that then links to target audience which would be for people who like heavy metal or rock music and are interested in these sort of festivals and for the older age range as if a child was to look at this DPS it wouldn’t have the same impact on them because it would be quite scary images for them as it would make them wonder why they look so sweaty, why there wearing make up, the long hair on men, the scary t-shirts etc. The use of mini interviews makes this page effective as well because there like little snippets from what they thought about the festival which could make people become interested.

4. This magazine is mainly picture-led due to the fact the whole thing is one big picture and then the text is just laid on top. Even though you can just see two images of the same person and then the rest is place, the whole thing is one image and this image is really effective because it makes a link with the headline which is follow the light and then the fact you can see him makes a point that there’s a light on him and he’s in a dark room . This image has been used as a standfirst because when you turn to this page he stands out as well as the word light and clear links are then made. The columns of text have been organised strangely as it isn’t neatly laid out. There is one part of text which could be the introduction on the left corner and then it carries on, on the right page. I think they have done this to show the artist in the middle so its almost as if you read the headline then right below it is this image of a man. There are only threes columns but In this article there is a lot of writing talking about this rising drum ‘n’ bass star so it an introduction to a new DJ. The headline is doesn’t use any direct quotes but the way the language has been used they have made it so it fits In with the image that’s takes over the page. The writing is telling the reader to follow and then light is written in yellow which I think symbolises the ray of light that’s on the artist. This headline is coming across as being a direct order and it’s telling reader that’s this artist has followed what he lover and so should you. And so the headline and the image has that hidden connotative meaning and the image is putting him in the spotlight to show that he’s new and he’s going to make it big. The font of the headline is block capitals but it has an old style to it and its very thin writing. These extra images make this page better because these images are of him working and then when you read the article about what he does you can then see him actually doing it. The way the images are laid out look strange but the journalist has set the pictures next to the point in the text In which explains the images which helps the readers understand. I think the values and attitudes of this DPS in that he is a quiet drum ‘n’ bass artist because he doesn’t call himself by his name, he has a stage name “sub focus” and the attitudes are calming because this page doesn’t jump out at you when you turn to it as it isn’t colourful and its very simply set out. I think the artist would be happy with this DPS because it is probably what he wanted because he is sort of a dark horse and he doesn’t want to make a big impact with his image its as if his and the journalists values are to get him recognised because of his talent with music. I think the target readership is mainly for fans of drum ‘n’ bass and who would be interested in knowing about new stars so then they will go and listen to his work or look out for him in the future. I also think that people who would maybe want to pursue a career like is would read this and know what to do and be inspired by artist like him. This magazines intention seems to be to show the world this bright new star and inspire others to follow there dreams etc. This magazine probably would interest fans of rock as this doesn’t portray a rock theme and mixmag is a magazine which is all about DJ’s, clubs and dance music. This artists image is a musician image the position he is in in the main image makes him look like he is star already and then the black and white effect put on the three small images is very DJ looking as a lot of images of recording studios etc are put in black and white to give perspective and focus on the image not colours.