The document provides an in-depth analysis of the layout, images, and design elements used in magazine spreads featuring Lady Gaga, Adele, and Nicki Minaj. For Lady Gaga, the large portrait emphasizes her importance, while her intense facial expression and styling convey a "bad girl" image. For Adele, her more casual pose and lack of eye contact break conventions to portray her as unique. Nicki Minaj's animal print clothing and jewelry reflect her wild personality, and her direct gaze implies she is an open artist.

1. On the left hand side of the page, ‘Q’
magazine have dedicated one whole
page just on a picture of Lady Gaga, not
only conveying a medium close up shot
of who the article is about, but also
conveying significance, importance, and
power. Moreover, Lady Gaga is giving
direct mode of address (eye contact) to
the readers in order to make them feel
more drawn in and in touch with her. It
could also portray ideas that she is
inviting the reader in to the scene with
her. Her facial expression seems to be
reasonably intimidating seeing as her
eyes are smoky and is wearing some kind
of chains around her neck, having
connotations of danger. This ‘bad girl’
image could suggest she is mischievous,
which could leave the readers wanting to
read about her ‘story’, and what she has
done to portray herself in this type of
way. Due to the image being edited in a
black and white, monochrome effect,
this makes the picture look more
sophisticated and classy but giving a
certain edge of a retro-esque, old
fashioned style to it. Adding to the ‘bad
girl’ edge to her style, we can tell that her
hair is portrayed to be a blonde, matted
mess conveying that she has been doing
things she perhaps isn’t supposed to,
however saying this, she still looks
glamorous and pampered, giving her a
positive image to the audience and also
an image to look up to as a pop star,
illustrating the effect of her looking good
in anything so people may aspire to have
the same effect, encouraging them to do
the same. She also appears unpredictable
complementing on her existing image.
The large ‘L’ covering the left hand side of the page, layering the background of the text further emphasizes the
importance of lady Gaga, and also emphasizing how the article is dedicated to her. Furthermore, it is in a red font to
emphasize the typical housing style of Q magazine which is typically seen on the logo and across all ‘Q’ magazines.
However, you could argue that the red connotates love and passion typically showed in the main image next to it. The
‘L’ is obviously conveying ‘Lady gaga’ to give a sense of identification and importance to the article, it also makes it
different to the other issues due to this being a re-occurring element of Q magazine of their double page spreads. The
‘L’ is in a sophisticated font, much like ‘lady’ at the top right hand corner of the screen giving the star a sense of
maturity. Also, with it being small it shows that she is a well known and recognisable star so people will already identify
her name. ‘GAGA’ is in capital letters to convey the crazy, unpredictable side of Lady gaga to the reader, giving her that
sense of identification to her other personality.
The body of the article, which is the text on
right, is made purposely very small so it
appears as Lady Gaga has a lot to say and
that you should take interest in her. The
layout of the article is formulated using the
typical genre conventions by using columns
to subconsciously make the audience feel as
although they have read more in a quicker
time span. Columns also make the article
more enticing as it appears shorter and
more achievable to read. A large width is
given between columns to perhaps maybe
make it appear less intimidating on the
reader as if they where flicking through they
may be put of the vast amount of
information displayed if it was all cramped.
By having all of the relevant text on one
page, it will appeal more to a mature
audience who will still be interested in the
article without any side pictures or quotes
to make them read. The kerning of the
subject name (l a d y G a g a) on the top
right corner also connotates simplicity but
also gives it a more fashionable and
preferred, unique look to the font. By
separating the main image with the article it
makes the double page spread appear more
simply; this gives an aesthetic look to the
page as it is neat and clean, rather than the
article perhaps being formed around her
image.Also, the layout is very conventional
and easy to read. The big, bold capital ‘S’
and ‘I’ helps to split up the text and is also a
convention. Lots of information is given
connoting that Q magazine cares about the
artists. It would also attract fans of Lady
Gaga to buy the magazine as lots of
information about her career and private
life is given. The layout is also structured
connoting that the artists are taken very
seriously by this magazine.

2. The masthead of this double page
spread stretches across both pages and
fills up a large proportion of the page. It
reads ‘girl uninterrupted’, which is short
and simple and puts a twist on the
famous saying, therefore making it
memorable. The word ‘girl’ is in lower
case letters and appears to be scripted,
it is also the largest text on the page that
conveys importance, furthermore, it
may also emphasize that Adele is
womanly and feminine, whereas the
word ‘uninterrupted’ is in upper case
and a sans serif font has been used. This
creates an effective contrast.
‘uninterrupted’ may also convey that
she is the only speaker, and people
listen to her due to having power and
authority, it being in red also has
connotations of passion and love which
contrasts against the black and white
which results into it being eye catching,
in capital letters to really emphasize it is
her and only her which is important.
Due to it also even being right in front of
the main image conveys further
importance, breaking typical double
page spread conventions, wanting to
really emphasize to the reader this
point. Furthermore, Adele does not have
her name large enough for the reader to
view which make convey that the
audience already know exactly who she
is due to her being extremely well
known and recognisable to the audience
which conveys a prestigious effect
complimenting on the focal main image.
The only image used is of Adele, who is the feature of the article. The image stretches across a large proportion of the
pages and is one of the main focuses which may further convey importance and power over the magazine. She is wearing a
black top which commonly signifies power and importance. Adele is commonly seen wearing black so this may show
independence and individuality towards her. She is also holding a cigarette which could be considered as rebellion, not
caring and finding her own little world where she can escape from everyday life, however this could also create a very
sophisticated, glamorous, formal tone with a vintage feel to it, therefore appealing to an older demographic. She is not
looking at the audience or giving eye contact which may convey shyness due to most double page spread stars looking
straight into the audience giving direct address, this cancels out all the typical conventions of a magazine conveying her as
different and unique, not needing to prove herself to anyone. It may also convey that she is perhaps too good for the
magazine and that due to her knowing she is talented, she does not need to prove herself. Her hair is back not looking as
glamorous which also conveys originality.
The font used for the article is simple
and sophisticated, which matches the
type of music Adele releases and would
appeal to the older audiences that listen
to her music which may also describe
her as a person and the content in the
article. Generally the article focuses on
Adele’s huge achievements over the past
year and some information is given
about her next album, in order to please
her fans as they will want to know what
come next from her which will entice
readers to carry on. The colour scheme
of this double page spread is red, white
and black, something that is kept
consistent through ‘Q’ magazine. This
gives the article a sophisticated, formal
look and would probably attract the type
of people that listen to Adele’s music.
These three colours are effective as they
contrast well with each other and with
the grey, shadowy background used,
meaning all text stand out clearly.
Moreover, the house style of this article
is very simple, unlike other articles I’ve
looked at from magazines such as NME
and Kerrang. The colours used are
consistent to those used on other pages
of the magazine, which makes it easily
recognisable to the reader. Another
feature of this double page spread is the
two white lines which run parallel to
each other on the top and bottom of the
page. This small detail gives the article a
formal, structured look.

3. In the main image, Nicki Minaj is
presented in animal print clothing which
clearly suggests that she is a wild
individual and has an animalistic
personality , and is also very unique and
confident. The main image also party
covers the title of her name which signifies
that she is so popular and well known that
the audience are able to identify her
without her whole name being shown.
Adding to this, the text is placed to fit
around the main image which indicates
that she is of high status as she is the main
focal point. The fact that she isn’t placed
in the centre, but instead slightly to the
right hand side of the spread, suggests
that she is powerful enough in herself and
doesn’t need to be placed in the centre to
catch the audiences attention.
Furthermore, this breaks the convention
that the artists are usually placed in the
central third which suggest she may break
musical conventions and that she is a
unique artist. Also, Nicki minaj is wearing
daring, statement jewellery and bright
makeup which reflects her daring,
outgoing personality. Rather than posing
or smiling in her main image, Nicki is
pictures almost staring straight at the
audience which could imply that she is an
open and honest artists and may suggests
that she reveals a lot in her article as she is
not show shying away from the audience.
The image of Nicki is used is a mid shot at
an eye angle which puts the audience at
the same level as her which implies that
they will be able to relate to her as an
artist and she is not intimidating to them,
which may also make her be presented as
likable.
The double page spread uses a girly, child like colour scheme of pink, white and black. The colours contrast
heavily with each other which could suggest that Nicki Minaj could be quite a controversial artist. In addition,
pink can often connotate sexuality and feminine as Nicki Minaj is perceived by many as a ‘sexy’ individual,
however pink could also connotate innocence which is juxtaposing with her personality., The pink would also
attract young girls, who are interested in her music and fits with the ‘pop’ genre of music. The black and pink
contrast well with each other and allow the text to stand out easily. Black is the colour of authority and power
which reinforced the idea that Nicki Minaj is an extremely powerful individual who is a role model to others.
The use of the colour pink could be an obvious link to her albums pink Friday which her fans would be able to
identify and associate with Nicki Minaj. Furthermore, the design balance of this double page spread is
informal, in order to give it an exciting, fun look. Even though the text is structured effectively, there is no
balance in it and the image is positioned to the right hand side. The overall look of this double page spread is
vibrant and exciting; this is created by the bold image used and bright colour schemes. This spread is taken
from NME magazine which is not usually known for featuring such mainstream, pop artists, therefore the style
of this article is slightly different from others I have seen from NME magazine.
The mast head of ‘The Gospel According To Nicki
Minaj’ gives connotations of holy due to the use of
‘Gospel’ suggesting Nicki Minaj is ‘god like’
perceiving her as powerful and people ‘worship’
her like her fans . It may actual even convey
innocence and doing the right thing, which Nicki
minaj is trying to set as a good example to her fans
and viewers/readers. The sophisticated text of the
masthead also suggests maturity and that Nicki
Minaj is a sophisticated woman, this juxtaposes
with the large ‘NICKI MINAJ’ after it which is in big
bold letters as it may be seen as the mot important
text on the page, which conveys importance., the
colours of the two are completely contrasting
which suggests that she is controversial artist . The
size of the masthead also conveys that she is a big
artist.
The quote ‘I really toned down the sexual stuff.
There was no need for me to do it’ from the article
interview catches the readers attention, as Nicki
minaj is also know for her sexual videos etc. it also
shocks the reader and makes them think ‘why does
she want to stop’ or ‘why does she think she
there’s no need for her to do it’. Therefore it will
encourage them to read more in order to find out
why she feels she doesn’t need to do it anymore.
This may also show that Nicki wants more respect
and to be taken more seriously for her music, and
want to be listened to for her music
Rather than being set out like a usual, typical
magazine double page spread interview with
questions from the interviewer followed by the
responses, the double page spread displays the ‘10
commandments’ which may also come back to the
god like, innocent point made earlier. One again
this breaks the conventions of a normal double
page spread, further highlighting how Nicki Minaj
ike to break conventions and present herself as a
unique artist.