This document analyzes the conventions used in a double page spread (DPS) layout for a magazine. It examines various design elements like the main image, headlines, pull quotes, and text formatting. For each element, it provides an interpretation of what the used conventions may connote to readers. Overall, the document suggests the layout aims to engage audiences by appealing to their needs for information, entertainment, social interaction, and ways to find identity or satisfaction. It emphasizes the importance of considering how target readers may feel and react to different stylistic choices when designing magazine pages.

1. DPS conventions analysis
Asuka Young

3. Main image/CVI
Heading / section notice
Standfirst
Drop-Cap
Pull quote
Head line
Alley
WOB text
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4. The language used in the section notice connotes desperation
and attention for support in this mercury prize from the readers.
This is because of the language used- in the fact stating of how
many days it has passed and how metal music has not won an
award yet.
The pull quote connotes
the importance of
friendship between
people, as this is using
Two different colours
to present two different
Events that connect
To each other. As the
First part is in a darker
Colour, it may connote
That this particular
Event should be
Highlighted as important.
The main image of this double page is filing up the whole
space, and the main subject is in the centre of the page, at a
slight high angle. This image connotes the dedication / feelings
rock bands put into their music, trying to give it a meaning. This
image is an establishing shot also to illustrate the togetherness
of this particular band, which leads into the idea that people
need each other to live, which can be an interpretation of what
this article is about.
There is a standfirst which is above
the main article. The language of this
connotes the importance of music,
because ‘brush of death’ sounds as if
death is a light, passive thing,
compared to making good music.
This article is written in wob to perhaps
connote the respect/peace towards the
dead as the article is about death
partially. It is also in opposite colours
with the image/the background
rectangle overall, which may connote
that death has made the band even
livelier, or feeling more alive than ever.
The alley between the two colums of the article,
which is small, connotes that the gap between the whole
Band is small, therefore the readers feel their togetherness
As a band.
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5. (Extra analysis)
The fonts used in these pages are close to the impact font
(sans serif), and gives the impression to the audience that
this magazine page is friendly/wants the audience to
understand (Because it is easy to read).
The color theme in the house
style of this page is creme color
and white (text wise), with a
brown based image.
The text colors connotes the
purity / justice of the contents,
therefore the readers will be
more likely to believe in what is
written. These colors are also
contrasting to the rest of the
page, so it stands out.
The language used in these pages
are not too arrogant or mis-behaving
as the sentences are fairly neat and
standard with no grammatical errors,
but wordings / adjectives such as
‘Brush with Death’, ‘Bloody SabBat’etc indicates that these pages do
have language conventions of a rock
magazine.
Overall I think this double page has a clear and simple
layout of features, using space in an effective way. This
allows to feel that there are not so much quantity to read,
therefore the readers will feel ease. These pages also
represents the positive attitude amongst rock musicians,
and how much music means to them. This encourages
the readers to perhaps be inspired and gain new ideas
regards to music as well.
This image is likely to be shot at a slight high angle with an
establishing shot to show the room/scenery. This image
perhaps illustrates the dedication of this band by their action of
performing music, being relevant to the context of this
interview, seen from the pull quote.with rock conventions of
having multiple guitarists, a drummer and a vocalist.

6. Audience Gratification
The image of the dsp, which is a symbolic non-verbal
code appeals to audiences who are fan of this band
because It clearly presents all the members of the
band, and their passion for music, which makes the
fans feel pleasure to being their fans. This can be
an aspect of entertainment.
This headline appeals to
target audiences that
Sees themselves in a
Similar situation, or for those
Who can find their moral
Values in response to this
Headline. (information and
Personal identity). This maybe
because of the verbal code
of ‘my’ and ‘me’, which can
apply to almost anyone. This can
furthermore, encourage people to
stand up when they have personal
problems because ‘woke me up’
connotes a sense of realization,
therefore this could inform audiences
in a helpful way. This can also have an
effect on their beliefs and ideology.
The standfirst, which is a verbal code, allows the
audiences to be more interested in this article because
It Is entertaining, particularly by using words such as:
‘Brush of death’ and ‘Don’t let __ fool you’ etc. The word
‘You’ is directly referring to the audiences, so perhaps they
Also feel a sense of belonging in the magazine,
Which is a part of social interaction in the Katz’ gratification.
The white on black text
appeals to any audiences
because it is easy to read
In terms of clarity,
and because the article
Seems to be small in the
corner of the page, the
audiences will think that there
is not much to read. This
means it increases the
chances of the audience
being informed.
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8. Cropping (image)
CVI (centre of visual interest)
Drop Cap
Flush Left
Lede
Overline
A wob & drop shadow
Sans serif text
Headline
These are Facing Pages

9. The cropped image connotes the fact that these people
The image in the dps is the CVI, and this connotes that
wants the readers to look closely / understand their efforts to
these people in the image are in need of attention, and
survive,
because the facial expression perhaps expresses seriousness, or therefore this image is large, which also connotes that this
is an article with a big story.
arising
problem before them, although the body language of the girl has a
quite opposite connotation.
The drop cap connotes that this
article is dramatic in a way,
The overline is there
because a very large drop cap
for introducing the article/
can have a sense of a big
getting the most eyebeginning.
catching information out in
short sentences. The text
colour is white because
Flush Left of the whole article
the part of the image
may connote that it is sticking to
behind is black. The name
the CVI, which means that it is
of the featured band and
referring back to the image whilst
the editor/article writer’s
reading, which helps to
name is in red, in order to
understand the article further with
stand out from this
visual element as well.
overline.
The main headline has a
wob. This connotes that
this is a pure article
meaning that it is telling
the truth. The drop
shadow conveys perhaps
that the story is going to
go through deeply about
activities that took place.
The text is sans-serif
because it is connoting the
bold impact of this article and
how things are ruff, as a serif
font would look
elegant/playful almost.
The Lede of this article does not go straight into the context,
providing a somewhat casual context of a day in a life of a normal
man. This Lede connotes that the article is reminding readers that,
the person they are talking about is also just another person, the
same as the readers. This lede also grabs interest of the readers
because it is stating a fact that is too casual for a music star- eg:
The 38 year old MC is having lunch at a Thai restaurant...etc.

10. Audience Gratification
The cropped image, which is a non-verbal
Symbolic code, attracts audiences
because again, some people may be fans of these
People. Also young audiences may identify themselves
doing the same actions as these people in the image,
and feel social or involved in the society. (Social interaction).
The overline, which is a verbal
written code, is also appealing
to target audiences because the
Sentences are very short and
snappy, getting to the point very
quickly. Also the overline sounds
as if it may be relatable for some
of the reader’s situations, of having
a success then something going
wrong. Eg;‘what went so wrong?’.
Parts of the text is
highlighted in red where there
are important names.
From the first paragraph (the lede), the audience feel involved
or a friendly aspect in this article in a way, because
it is stating a fact that is too casual for a music star- eg: The 38 year
old MC is having lunch at a Thai restaurant...etc. This also informs the
audience for realizing the fact that superstars are no different to
them.
The drop cap:’ D’, which is a
verbal written code, makes
the audience feel visually /
aesthetically entertained.
This can be a form of
escapism because the drop
cap makes the whole text
different from the texts often
seen in the society, while at
work or in school.
The headline may appeal to audiences who are seeking
information / education, because some audiences may have
personal problems they would like to resolve, and this headline has words
which might be what they want, which is a change in life. They feel a sense of security through
the whiteness of the text, and how its sans-serif sensing welcomeness and the drop shadow
makes the audience feel visually entertained.
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11. 8

12. Byline
Drop cap
Negative Space
CVI
Main image
Standfirst
Flush Left Text
Headline: Serif font
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13. The byline, which presents the writer and the
photographer of this article, is in a white font colour and has
Small fonts, which connotes the invisibleness of their efforts
And somewhat unresponsible.
The main image, which
Is the CVI, connotes
Corruption of the mind
or misbehaving
sort of character of the
article itself, as the object
She is holding is a cigarette,
Which connotes stress
Or relaxation due to
deep trouble. Her facial
expression connotes that
she feels calm or another
interpretation of feeling
stressed.
The headline is in two different fonts, which means
That there are two opposing features that they want to
Get across: the fact that ‘girl’ is in white colour and
In italic serif font, represents the fragileness of a girl.
furthermore calling her a girl makes her seem young.
The ‘uninterrupted’ connotes her negative mood/feeling
because the font is in a clear serif font (spiky
Visually), and the colour is red connoting danger or anger.
The negative space provided in the article of this
page is not pure white, which connotes that this article
Is representing someone’s worries or anxieties, not
Being clear nor deeply feeling anything in particular.
The standfirst beside the
main article connotes that
What it is saying is not a
Simple issue, because the
font is in serif font, and
there is a name (Adele)
highlighted in red with a
White font colour. This
Also connotes importance
of the fact that it is talking
About this particular person
, which means trying to gain
Readers attention.
This article is in a flush left for ease of reading, but
also it allows the readers to see the standfirst every time
they read the article, especially the red section.
This allows the readers to refer back to how important she
Is in the society, which means that this article is going to be
Something big.
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14. Audience Gratification
The Byline allows the audiences to access information
about who made this article, which gives them a superior
feeling, which may be a form of escapism of being a middle
class citizen. Moreover, by knowing this information, the
audiences can be sure of who to blame if they disagree with this
article, or have something against it, which increases their
sense of authority even more.
The main image may make the
audiences personally satisfied
with who they are because the
object that the model is holding
(A cigarette) is considered as
a negative aspect of the society. By
considering themselves in fact the
opposite with this woman,
they find personal identity. On the
other hand, some people may also
find personal identity in opposite
means, such as young teenagers who
are taking drugs because of stresse.
They can relate to this image and
find identity.
The negative space (which is not fully negative). suits the
mood of this article and the image, and if the audience feels
personal identity in the image, they are likely to feel the same
with the mood of this article, which the negative space
represents. However if the audience does not feel that way, then
the semi-negative space may also be interpreted as hope in the
future, or something positive.
The standfirst may make the
audience feel that their life is
better than a superstar, which
leads into self satisfaction. By
adding a swearword into the
standfirst, this makes the star
seem like a lower class citizen,
making the audience feel as if
they have more authority
than her.
The headline allows the audience to feel calm or in an opposite way,
un-welcomed. First of all they could feel calm which can be a form of
entertainment for relaxation, because the font for ‘girl’ is in Italic and
has a swirling sort of atmosphere. Secondly they could also feel un-welcomed
to this article because the ‘uninterrupted’ font color is red, which for some
people it means stop/anger/blood etc, which could all connote something negative
-however criticizing things can be simply filling time for some.
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15. Top tips when creating a layout
•
1) When composing a DPS, consider how the target audiences will take the DPS conventions /
how they would feel when they read the DPS.
•
2) Consider the house style of the DPS (fonts, font colors, layout etc) because it can convey a
mood as well as good aesthetics.
•
3) The type of languages used in the actual article and other conventions with words (overlines
etc) are important as they can identify the article’s characteristics. Eg; expressive/ dramatic words
such as ‘evil’,‘blasphemously’,‘gasping shock’..etc.
•
4) Think about where the different conventions of a DPS is going to be placed- make the page
layout look interesting yet easy to comprehend.
•
5) The CVI is going to be successful due to images, so take an image relevant to the article that
appeals to the target audience- maybe try and be creative sometimes.
•
6) Consider the headline carefully- this is most likely to be the first thing the audiences are going to
read. Choose words which makes the article sound appealing.
•
7) A drop cap is very iconic to a magazine, so in the DPS, people will immediately notice the article
as a magazine article if there is a drop cap.
•
8) The actual article itself needs to be conveying unusual / unknown information to provide the
audiences, so that it fits into many audience gratifications as possible.
•
9) edit the page in a a program that provides quality editing tools, so that the page will look
professional. Eg: Adobe Indesign
•
10) Do not include too much advertisements, as it would most likely make the audiences feel
unmotivated to read the article.
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