The document discusses conventions and similarities in the layout, design, and content of double page spreads in Mixmag magazine. Some key similarities mentioned include a 50:50 ratio of images to text, column text formatting, use of large display fonts for headlines, inclusion of black and white elements, and focus on a single large main image rather than multiple smaller images. The layout may vary depending on the type of content but generally follows conventions. Language used in headlines also tends to reference famous phrases to present artists in a unique way.

1. Double Page Spread Overview

2. Mixmagare known to change it up when it comes to
their double page spreads, however, they are also all
very similar in terms of layout, design and use of
images and text. They all feature general conventions
such as combining image and text in a 50:50 ratio, the
use of headlines, standfirsts, headers, page numbers
and the way the design and image reflect genre and
audience.
Firstly, on every single double page spread shown
above, the text is laid out in a column type format and
is either written in black or white. This is because it goes
together with the layout of the entire magazine; from
the front page onwards the majority of text that
appears is in a column format so it appears
sophisticated, going with the magazine‟s simplistic
design and also so the information is easily accessible
for the reader. The black and white appeals to the
male target audience, and also reinforce the
sophistication within the double page spreads making
them look professional and polished. Also, all (apart
from the interview features with JorisVoorn and
KeleOkereke) of the double page spreads feature a
large display font within them as a main sell-
line/headline on the spread. This is so the reader is
drawn into reading the spread – they may not have
noticed it if they hadn‟t have seen like giant, eye
catching font, and so by this clever technique, they
almost guarantee that the reader is drawn in.

3. Another key feature which makes the double page
spreads similar is the fact that none feature smaller
related images; although in the two „The Big 3‟ there
are smaller images and not one main image, the
smaller images are set out as a main image for each
section of the double page spread (this helps to break
the article down and help it appear less intimidating
and textual to the reader). The lack of lots of smaller
related images makes the page also appear more
organized and easier to read for the audience.All of
the double page spreads (as stated before when
speaking about text) feature black and white
somewhere within the double page spread. This yet
again reinforces Mixmag‟s sophisticated yet cool
brand identity and makes sure that there is a symbiotic
link between all of the double page spreads.
Depending on what the double page spread
contains, the layout can vary. For example, if it is an
interview, the layout tends to be image on one page,
with all the text in a column format on the other;
article type features usually have a main image in the
middle of the two pages, with two blocks of text (one
on the end of the right hand page, one on the end of
the left hand page) and „The Big 3‟ double page
spreads tend to have one bigger article on one page,
along with two smaller articles on the other. However,
these conventions are broken by the „Welcome to
Lame Academy‟ and „Teach You I Will‟ double page
spreads – they seem to have a random layout, which
doesn‟t have a known design to it. When the layout is
mixed up and is a bit less simple and uniform, the
article is usually a bit less „serious‟ in its content and

4. tends to reflect the more fun, vibrant side of dance
culture or it is a different style of article to an interview.
This again suggests Mixmag isn‟t afraid to refresh their
magazine through changing layout and style within
their double page spreads; they break boundaries
and like to occasionally change up their style.
There are also repeated uses of mise-en-scene, for
example, the costume of the people appearing in the
double page spreads is generally the same – females
are slightly more dressed up, whereas males tend to
look very causually dressed. This could suggest male
dominance; since males tend to dominate the world
of dance music, with more male DJ‟s than female,
whilst females are often shown to be the
revellers/partygoers. All of the males within the double
page spreads also have very similar facial expressions,
which tend to be quite serious and straightfaced
whereas the females look happy and like they‟re
having fun, again refinforcing the male dominance of
the dance music industry. Settings also tend to be
either a studio type setting or in the midst of a
club/rave/gig – the double page spreads which
feature artists tend to be studio based (other than
„playing with your submotions‟ however we see the
Submotion Orchestra in the middle of a gig) and so it
could be said that Mixmag tries to represent it‟s artist in
a way which shows how seriously they take music. The
artist based double page spreads tend to have a
more serious feel to them, whereas the double page
spreads which feature revellers tend to have a more

5. fun and vibrant edge; this will appeal to the reader as
it demonstrates how the artists main focus is to make
sure that the audience (who will be the reader) enjoy
their music.
There are also similiarities in the style of language used
for the headlines – they often tend to be variations on
famous phrases, such as „Welcome to the Lame
Academy‟ (linking to the show „Fame Academy‟) and
„Riddim is a Dancer‟ (linking to the legendary early
dance music song). „Playing with your Submotions‟ is
also a spin on the phrase “playing with your emotions”
and therefore Mixmag presents artists as unique,
through the clever use of language.