Existing music double page spreads

“ATM’s” simplistic double page spread looks very intimidating as the image is so big and rough looking, with the models not smiling and appearing very hard. This is the same with the text, as too much writing is not easy on the eyes and isn’t straightforward reading. Also a lot of text can put of the reader as this has no other images to break it up making it very boring. White is main theme colour as it is represented on the background of the text and the models are both wearing white. Also even the border is white; this makes the page look very clear, bright and gives a very simplistic look. The title of the page is “the raw truth” this could explain why there is a posh house in the background. As it could break the stereotype of DJs or bands coming from a poor family background and showing that this duo are posh and rich. This is backup through the lighting on the character as on both of them, they have a shadow and a light shining on them, showing that there was and is lying but this page is the truth and it is clearly highlighting the lightness on the models. White has defiantly used a symbol of innocence and truth and this is why so much has been used on the page throughout the image and background. As a result they are telling the truth and there is more light than dark, demonstrating they are telling the truth. The text is in small chunks of text making it easier to make in and break for the reader. As there is so much text this suggested that it is very important, this is probably due to the topic of “the raw truth” therefore this is seen as a serious toned page.

Another double page spread of “Echoes” magazine really shows that double page spreads can range in design if you compare to the one below. The magazine doesn’t have a specified gender but as the images are both of males, this suggested it is more aimed at male, therefore you could say this is very sexist. Like the one below it is the opposite as its genders and you can see this as this magazine uses all male images and the other all female. These pages have a lot of writing but it is split into two pages with two images which breaks it up more. The images are very relevant to music as it includes keyboards and a man dancing. “Echoes” is an R&B music magazine and stereotypically R&B singers are black, and as there is no other ethnic characters this magazine could be seen as racist and stereotypical. Although this is breaking the stereotype as it is titled “Hip-Hop” and offers the reader the “Top 20 hip hop songs” The images support all social classes the lower, working class and the upper class. In one image a man is dressed in a suit, making him look very smart and look as though he has a high paying job. He also is sitting on a keyboard and holding a cash register, this shows his wealth and success, though we don’t know if the man stole these items. Whereas the other man is dressed in a uniform of some sort and is more seen as a minimum wage job. Although the background of these image seem to be mixed up you would have thought that a busy town with lots of business would be for the posh man. Therefore the streets for the poor man, this could be showing that this duo is helping all communities and showing their background to relate to the reader who is a hip-hop star. The tone if this page is very serious as they expression on the images faces isn’t very happy and welcoming.

“Echoes”’s image goes over the centre line more so than normal as the image is almost split into two. This distorts the image as the centre line is across the models face and most of her body. Issues like this can put off consumers as they may want the image to cut out but it spoilt by the crease. As “Echoes” is an R&B music magazine it stereotypically uses black artists, this is because traditionally black singers sing this type of music. You could say that this magazine is racist and stereotypical in this way. This page has used the actually full image to be the background and therefore not splitting the two pages you in normally image on one page then text on another. As well as the music artist being in the background, she is leaning on a piano to promote the topic of music and that she writes music on a piano. As the text is white and the singer is wearing some white clothing the text goes around this part and continues over the darker colour trouser she is wearing. The text slowly decreases in size as the information gets longer and more detailed e.g. the title is very bold and big; then the little intro is medium font and only the artists name is bold signifying its importance, also it is all in capital letters also showing that the other information after it is important as well. The image looks very natural and not photoshopped; consumers prefer this as people have very strong view against fail advertising and fake appearances. The close up of the artists face shows a smile, giving the page a positive feel. It is clear that this magazine is an R&B one as it has a red column down the left hand side of the top 50 R&B songs; this is offering the consumer something different from the interview etc that is related to music.

"NME”’s double page spread goes over the centre line with both text and the image which is very unusual and risky. This is because it could make the text unreadable which puts off the consumer. Although as the title is so big it is readable and as the page has a very rough feel to it like NME’s rough music this suits its theme. I like how the quote from the artist looks like it has been cut out from a newspaper and all jiggered to show the artists rebel side. This shows that the quote is what the articles all about and is a powerful statement said my Lily Allen. The use of colour relates to the title of the magazine as “NME” is always in red, black and white. On this page the same theme is used on the text and in the clothing of Lily Alan. This is seen as propaganda or sublimely messaging as it is promoting the magazine even more without the consumer knowing. The text is in short paragraph and there as isn’t many of them, this makes the text an easy read on the consumer’s eyes. There is a use of symbolism as the Lily Allen the name is in red and she is wearing red, showing the consumer that, the person to the right is her. Lily Allen is an a medium close up with her head tilted and looking at the camera, this shows, authority and arrogance, almost suggesting that she is saying (yeah I said that, what you gonna do about it?) with a lot of attitude and as she is quite young this is stereotypically at her age. This attitude shows in the quote as capital letters are used in the wrong place, this could point out her education, which that stereotypical younger people are dropping out of education and employment. The use of a drop capital leads the reader to where the interview beginnings and really sticks out as the contrast changes from black background and white on the wording to white background and black wording on the text.

The dramatic spilt makes both pages stand out on their own and look very striking. This is because both use empty space to an advantage and to draw the consumer’s eyes in on the main focuses, meaning the girl and the text. This is a very simplistic look and isn’t much text and the image has nothing to it. This could symbolise its quality and “The Clash” magazine could be seen as cheaper than other magazines. The two pages are contrasting as one is white and black, whereas the other is very colourful with red and blue etc. The minimal text makes it can easy read and doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the consumer as the text is in small paragraphs and not many at that. This lets the reader not have to read text from one end of the page to the other, as in short paragraphs the lines are very short. The image doesn’t relate to music at all, apart from the actual women being a singer. As there is no piano or music related instrument about and she environment isn’t very music like. Whereas if she had a microphone it would be more obvious. I wouldn’t do my magazine like this due to the page not being very interesting I would want most pictures on and one large image on the right to be more interesting and the picture wasn’t thought through. If I was the reader, I would want more of a clear interpretation of it being a music magazine double page spread. In the text they have used a highlighter tool to show that it was a quote from the actual artist, which makes it stand out. The name of the artist is half in bold and half not, her last name is in bold this could indicate that this is what she is known for like a stage name that people call and know her from, although her real name is “Asobi Seksu”. I like the use of the drop down capital as it tells the reader where the interview starts and draws the consumers eyes straight to this letter as it is big and in bold and allows them to start reading at the beginning. I would say that this music magazine is aimed at women as the double page spread is very nice and tidy, whom women like and it uses pinky colours, which is stereotypically for women. Also it has a female singer and her music may be quite feminine and apply to this gender more, therefore it as aimed at its audience well. Although the colours are very basic, the background of the image is lightly coloured in a rainbow effect, making it looks very feminine, which also relates to the magazine being for women. As the artist is sensitively in a dress at moderate length and not dressed in a bra and shorts, this is more suited for women and not men. As if she didn’t wear very much and was in a close up then it would apply to more males, for entertain purposes and likings. I like how this page lets the reader get more information if they aren’t satisfied as it gives them a web address at the bottom. As the artist is Japanese there may be a lot of jargon that the UK may not understand, therefore this magazine is mostly likely to be American such as “nexus”.