1. Masthead: The masthead is a compliment to the artist, ‘Totally A-
maze-ing’ which draws the audience in to read the article because
the masthead tells us that the artist is ‘amazing’. The masthead is
very small on the page but it stands out because of its bold, sans
serif font and black colour against the light grey page. The sans serif
font also suggests that the artist shouldn’t be taken too seriously
because the font is infomal and bold.
Text: Bold, sans serif font is used on the masthead which makes it stand out and suggests that the artist
shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Red, serif font is used on the kicker which makes it stand out from the
other black text in the main body of the article. The first mention of the artist’s name ‘Labrinth’ in the
kicker is in black font to separate it from the red font which makes the audience aware that that is who the
article is about. All of the text on the page apart from the masthead, the drop cap and the captions are in
serif font. This shows the reader that the rest of the text should be taken more seriously as it is the main
article and because it is in a more formal font.
Design Principle: The primary optical,
strong fallow and weak fallow areas contain
most of the information. This shows that the
page is using the Guttenberg Design
Principle well as they are the places that the
reader looks to first. The terminal area
contains a small amount of text and a small
picture of the artist. This has been done
because that is the last place that the reader
will look to so it does not need as much eye-
catching information as the other areas.
There is a large image the spreads across the
entire strong fallow area and into the
primary optical area. Its position in these
areas of the page and its size allows it to
stand out against the page. The masthead
and kicker are located in the primary optical
area which draws attention to them and, as
it is the first thing that the audience will
read, tells the audience what and who the
article is about.
Design Balance: The page is well
balanced because each side has an equal
amount of either text or images. While
the left side is heavier in text the right is
heavier in imagery which balances out
both sides. The text is written in four
columns, although it is one more column
than the average magazine layout would
have, it makes the page seem more in
balance because it could be split in two
with two columns on either side. Both
sides also contain secondary images which
separated the heavy amount of text. This
makes the page balanced in terms of text
to image. The only aspect of the page that
could be off balance is the main image as
it cuts across both pages making the right
hand side seem slightly heavier than the
left. This is balanced, however, by the
large amount of text on the left side.
Main Image: The main image is large and spreads
across the top half of the right page and part of the
left. This makes is the most eye catching part of
the page because of its size. It shows the artist on
stage surrounded by fans which reveals him to be
popular. It also shows him to love what he does
which sends a positive message to the reader
because he looks happy and relaxed. This suggests
that the article will be positive because the images
show the artist to be happy.
House Style: The colours of red, black and grey are carried through
onto the double page spread. These colours are stereotypical of the
rock genre and of Q so the reader can relate to this because it is
what they expect to see from an article in a Q magazine. The drop
cap is a white letter ‘L’ against a square red background. This is very
similar to the masthead of the magazine which makes it
recognisable to the reader and therefore they feel comfortable with
it as it is what they expect to see. The black line that runs across the
bottom of the page is typical of a Q magazine page and it states the
end of the article and gives the page a more formal look.
Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds is used on the
main image on the artists head as it falls onto the
top left intersection. This highlights the artist’s
head and face making the reader aware that the
article is about him. The rule of thirds has also
been applied to the secondary images. The small
image of the artist in the bottom right corner has
had the rule of thirds applied to it on the artist’s
guitar. This states that he is a talented artist as he
can play guitar as well as sing.