The document describes codes and conventions used in double page spreads across different magazines. It analyzes double page spreads from Q Magazine, NME, Billboard, and Rolling Stone magazines. Some key conventions highlighted include using the magazine's house style/brand colors to create consistency, large prominent images of artists, direct address to engage readers, and layout techniques like drop caps and columns to guide the reader. The analysis also discusses how certain visual elements can objectify artists through the male gaze theory.

1. Codes and Convention
for
Double page spreads

2. Large image of the featured
artist (lady gaga) – takes up half
of the spread.
Mid shot of the artist,
prominent facial
expression, this shows the
sexual nature of her
expression and makes her a
sexual object, by having
her lips parted like this,
this is called the male gaze
– Mulvey
The model is using direct
mode of address, allows
the reader to make a
personal connection
(uses and gratification)
The model has a lot of skin showing – this
is to make people attracted to the model,
by doing this it makes the model a
sexualised object to the male gaze
(mulvey)
Makeup complies to the house style, black
and white this makes the L stand out.
Large initial L, stands out as is the only
colour on the page. Draws attention these
colours are Q’s house style colours, using
these on the double page therefore
continuous this and makes it recognisable.
Artists name, informative and is
noticeable at the top of the page.
Test is organised,
laid out in columns
so it is clear and
easy to read.
Drop cap – stands out and is
eye catching to the reader. It
also is also informative as it
allows the reader to see where
to start reading.
Q logo – brand
awareness

3. Codes and conventions of Q magazine -
double page spread
 The house style of the magazine is carried through to the double page, this creates brand
awareness and shows consistency throughout the magazine which makes the magazine seem more
professional, by doing this the double page is instantly recognisable. I would like to use this
convention in my magazine
 The large letter over the text is a common convention of this magazine, this is to draw the
attention to the article and create a unique design that helps people recognise the magazine. The
large capital letter also allows the magazine to keep their page colours running through the whole
magazine in a creative way.
 The image of the artist takes up half of the double page spread, this shows the importance of the
article and having them on the left page means it will be the first part you see. The image also
shows the audience that she is the subject of the article
 The image is a close up, which makes the artist facial expression and makeup more prominent and
also more visual, using direct mode of address means that the audience creates a personal
connection and relationship with the artist (uses and gratification theory) this theory suggest that
the reader will like and buy this magazine if they can create a personal relationship.

4. Direct mode of address from all three models
which allows the audience to create personal
relationships – uses and gratifications theory.
All white background means
text and image stands out
Big bold title means
that it stand out,
draws attention
Text – this bit of
text gives the
reader a small
amount of
information, this
entices the reader
Bold image,
takes up half
the double
page spread
Images of the
artists is clearly
recognisable to
the reader, will
be noticed
straight away
The image is a
long shot which
allows the
reader to see
their whole
body.
Drop cap is bold and draws
the readers attention, it
shows the reader a clear
place to start reading from.
Pull quote draws the reader as
it stands out against the other
text, it also entices the reader
to read the article.
This text is organised
and set in columns.
This is simple and
easy for the reader.

5. Codes and Conventions of NME –
double page spread
 The white background allows everything to be visual and allows all the text to stand
out, this is unusual however as most magazines use their house style.
 Bold title that is clear and informative, shows us what the article will be about. This
will also attract the audiences attention.
 The house style is not used strictly throughout the whole magazine unlike other
magazines, which means that the double page is not easily recognised.
 A pull quote is used to catch the readers attention and create questions (hermeneutic
code)
 Direct mode of address used by all the artists, this allows the audience to create the
personal relationships with the artists (uses and gratification)
 A leading piece of text is used to inform the reader and entice the reader to the
article, it is in a bolder text which would draw attention to the text and show its
importance.

6. Direct mode of address – allows the
audience to create a personal
relationship with the artist (uses and
gratification theory)
Mise en scene – costume is
dark, makeup is dark and the
scenery is plain and darker.
Pink and black, this is used
in the billboard logo so is
following house style,
creates brand awareness
and consistency.
Heading – the text
is bold, big and
uses different
colours which
makes it stand out
more.
Image used takes up the
whole double page
spread.
Text is sectioned off
and tells the
audience a small bit
of information about
the article, unique
design, draws
attention
Background is
plain and simple,
makes the text
and image stand
out.Long shot, shows the
whole artists body
and body language.
Yellow text stands out as a
different colour to the rest,
carries the house style on to
the double page and draws
the reader attention.
Small amount of text,
white stands out against
background and other
text.
The artist has her
lips parted this
could be said to be
to make her a
sexual object (male
gaze)

7. Codes and Conventions of Billboard –
Double page spread
 The image is the background and covers the whole of the spread
 Colours from billboards masthead (white, black, pink, yellow) are used
throughout the double page spread to add little splashes of colour. This
creates brand awareness in a way, but isn’t quite their consistent house style.
 Barely any text is used on this page for the article, this is unusual as most
double page spreads have 2-3 columns of writing taking up at least half the
page.
 I would not use this style of double page spread for my magazine as it is too
simplistic and does have a clear layout or style, it also doesn’t create brand
awareness, this double page spread goes against many conventions.

8. No consistency in house style on this
double page spread, black is a colour
that rolling stone use, but they have
not incorporated any red which is a
signature colour for the magazine
Edited so that her hair is out
of focus and blends in to the
background.
Close up, this means you can
see the full expression on
the artists face
Special feature
added.
The title is big and
bold taking up the
whole top left
section, this means
the reader will be
drawn to this
instantly
Different font
used for this text
so that it stands
out.
Drop cap shows the
reader where to start
reading, it also draws
there attention to the
article as it is bold
and eye catching.
High exposure and lighting
used here to create
contrast in the image and
darker makeup and
clothing, makes the image
stand out
Lips are slightly
parted, which makes
her seem more
sexual, this relates to
the male gaze and
makes the woman
seem more of
sexualised object
than the subject.Small amount of
text for article.
Image takes up
almost all of the
page
The artist is looking
away and not making

9. Codes and Conventions of Rolling stone –
double page spread
 Image is on the right hand side, which is unusual as most double page spreads
have their artist on the left hand side, however the image does stil stand out.
 The background is darker on this double page spread which means there is
less contrast between the background and the text/image.
 The house style is not continued on to the double page spread which means
there is no clear signature on the page that related to Rolling Stone
magazine. Most magazines will use their house style colours throughout the
whole magazine.
 A close up is used which means the image is more prominent and the
audience can see her facial expression clearly, however the artist is not
making eye contact with the audience which is unusual as this helps create a
personal relationship with the audience.