Analysation of the double page spread from NME (Dizzee Rascal)

1. Task 2c
Analysis of the double page spread
from NME (Dizzee Rascal Edition)

2. The page number, ‘6’, is at the bottom left of
the page and not the right hand side too
because automatically people would know what
page it was from looking at the previous page
number, they do this because if they were to
put a page on the bottom right hand side, it
would overlap with the stereo. Most magazine
page numbers are usually at the bottom
corners.
This magazine fits the codes and
conventions of most magazines
as they use a drop cap, which all
magazines used because it’s to
draw the audience's attention
and to show the audience where
the article starts. Also because
of the layout of the main image
being large on one page and the
writing on the other page.
Another reason is because they
didn’t use the exact same image
for it, but they used the same
model. They also kept the same
colour scheme and mise-en-
scene it had it the front cover.
This also contains a by-line that
shows who writ the article and
who took the picture. This is
located next to the main
headline.
The main headline is in a bold
and black, in the form of steps.
‘TAGS’ and ‘RICHES’ stands out
to the target audience as it’s in
a bigger size and the text
doesn’t contain any
complicated words, so it
shows their target audience
are teenagers as they also kept
things short. The empty
alcohol bottles would be
familiarised with the target
audience as they are
stereotypically known for
drinking a lot and liking music
shown by the stereo. the
language used is simple and
informal, suitable for the
target audience. Dizzee
Rascal’s name is in bold to
show how he is the star of this
magazine and could represent
him in the music industry.
The main image doesn’t give any sign of mode of address towards the audience and wears a red jacket now and is
holding a spray can to symbolise rebellion. And the colour red represents danger again, linking to the type of genre it is,
as Hip-Hop usually has rebellious songs. The main image is also shown to stand out from the bright graffiti background
because of his bright red jacket which connotes how vibrant his songs are (compared to other songs) and his body
language denotes that he is in trouble for what he is doing, as he turns slightly and looks like he is looking at someone
while he pauses spraying the wall, which shows he is in trouble but doesn’t care. The symbolic code of him giving the
side eye look to someone in the medium close-up portrays him to look like he doesn’t care.

3. This double spread also includes the masthead in a small,
and is the same colour of red as it is on the font. This is a
form of branding to make sure the audience remember
which magazine they are reading. But it is small in the right
hand corner of the main image, so it doesn’t draw too
much attention from the main image. A caption is also near
the masthead as it on the main image and says Dizzee
Rascal’s name.
Every part of the spread is filled
with something, but isn’t
overloaded with things to keep
the reader's attention on the
main image, main headline and
the main text. Each space on the
left hand page has the graffiti
background across the whole
page that page. On the other
page, everything is filled with the
main headline and text, the dead
space has bottles, the stereo and
splodges of black paint. But
overall, place is filled where it’s
needed to be and isn’t
overloaded enough to overwhelm
the audience.
The four columns’ width are the same size and font and
are all positioned below the main headline and sub-
heading (which tells a it of the article before the
audience read the article). The columns are all the same
length, except for the third one as it’s shorter, so the
stereo can be seen clearing and not overlap. This
symbolic code shows that music never gets in the way of
his life (story) because music is his life.
My overall impression of this double page spread is that it is a good example of what I would want my double
page spread to look like and how it fits the codes and conventions of most music magazines. This double
page spread shows me how creative mine will need to be and fits the genre of the magazine and that every
space must be filled or else it will look too overcrowded for my target audience. Also, this double page shows
that there is a meaning behind everything in a magazine and must have a symbolic code.
For the reasons of how
the text is shorter to fit the
stereo in, it shows that
music doesn’t get in the
way of his life/fun, the
main image and text
integrate because the
main image shows he is
about to get in trouble for
spray canning the wall but
continues to spray the
wall as he gets in trouble
to connote how no one
can get in his way too. like
how music doesn’t.