This document discusses several double page spreads from music magazines as examples and inspiration for the student's own article layout. It analyzes the layout, colors, images and text used in spreads from magazines like NME, Q and others. Key aspects noted are the large center images that spill over pages, bold headline text, use of columns, colors that add sophistication or align with the featured band's style, and inclusion of additional photos along the bottom. The student expresses a preference for styles that make the most of the page and have easy to read text surrounding engaging images.

1. DPS/ARTICLE RESEARCH Leah Douglas

2. This is a double page spread taken from NME
magazine. This double page spread instantly states
that the article is about Noel Gallagher with its bold
white text that stands out from the sky blue, plain
background. On the right hand side of the page is a
mid shot of Noel with a white glow around his
shape- which adds to the effect of the page as he
stands out more. The mid shot allows the reader to
see the model waist up-wards, which makes us
recognise his pose which is serious/fierce which
explains his persona well enough to the reader. The
dark leather jacket and dark jeans Noel is wearing
ties into the grayscale image of him and the dark
colours of the text- making both pages stand out. I
like this double page spread because of its colours
used and how they have used the model to align
itself with the article and the personality of the
model.

3. This is also a double page spread taken from NME
magazine. This double page spread demonstrates the
typical conventions that I need to include in my article. To
the right hand side of the page, its recognisable that there
is an image which takes up the whole of the page and even
spills over to the left, it takes up near on ¾ of the double
page spread which tells me that i don’t just have to stick to
only using an A4 sized image for my article. The image is a
log shot, clearly of an up and coming band because they
are comparing themselves to ‘kings of Leon’ whom are and
indie rock band- aligning itself to its genre. The lights used
in the image help create a ‘gig ‘atmosphere’ to the page.
The bold headline text is situated on the left hand side of
the page and is underlined using a bold purple line- we see
this purple in some of the text underneath the headline.
The text is in two simple columns- making it easier for the
reader to see. This double page spread is simple yet
effective which I like as I think it adds to the sophisticated
style of indie rock double page spreads.

4. This is a double page spread taken from NME
magazine. I like the structure of this as the images
spill over to the other page with text on. I also like
the colours used as they add to the sophisticated
look however make the article look like its taken
from an indie rock magazine. For my indie rock
magazine I would like my article to look like this as
I enjoy the layout as it looks quite full and makes
the most of the page. I think I will make my double
page spread look like this because I think the text
is easy to read and the pictures would surround the
text, helping the reader to see whom the article is
about. I think I will use this double page spread as
an inspiration for my own double page spread. The
images running along the bottom of the page I will
use, perhaps in the style of polaroid's as I think
this would add to the indie rock style of the page- I
have seen this been used in many indie rock
double page spreads along the bottom of the page
or up the side to present to the reader behind the
scene action or additional information about gigs
or festivals/advertising interviews- I will use this to
add additional content to the page and add to the
effect.

5. This is a double page spread taken from magazine.
I like the simple colours used as they add to they
add to the sophisticated look of the indie rock
magazine. The grey/brown tone in the background
creates a vintage/worn look about the page which
aligns itself to the reckless attitude of the band that
the article is about. The lighting of the double page
spread is very light as opposed to the usual lighting
of indie rock articles, so the minimal light makes
the band members faces stand out. The baby blue
lines link in with the page as some of the text is
blue also. The structure of this page is quite basic
white looks quite effective however the colours
used are simple also which makes the page look
even more simple as nothing really stands out. The
vaccines are an indie rock band which make the
double page spread look quite minimalistic.
However I do like the way the page is set out as the
models are looking straight to the camera and
make the page look more serious as opposed to the
light colours used which don’t create much tension
on the page which would add to the effect.

6. This is a double page spread taken from Q
magazine. I like the atmosphere this page creates as
the image stands out from its dark background. The
images greyscale is used cleverly to link to its
mostly black and white colour scheme. However
gold is used in some of the bolder text to help it
stand out from the other white text used. I like the
way this text is structured as I think it looks quite
sophisticated however the image makes the page
look quite rockish and creates a gig effect as in the
image, an electric guitar is used to demonstrate this.
The text is all in one column which is quite easy or
the reader however I think I will use two columns or
more as I think its easier and looks much better as it
structures the page better.