Double Page Spread Analysis Four

This issue of Q has a simple design, with half of the page dedicated to a main image of artist Lady Gaga and the other simply for the article. Having the image on the right hand side is a convention of music magazines as it is typically the way the eye reads, meaning we will be automatically drawn into the image of the artist. The mid-shot of Lady Gaga is very revealing and sexual, her appearing to be naked with only her hands and a rustic necklace covering her. This could be seen as targeting a male audience or specific fans of Lady Gaga who are attracted to her unique and quirky personality. The image has been edited to grey scale with eye catching lighting, hitting the left side of her face and hair, accentuating her main features. This creates a vintage edgy feel for the artist, relating to this specific article also.  

            Q follows a convention of typical music magazines by presenting the text in three columns. However having no title or sub-heading the small text takes up the whole right hand side of the page. This to me is too much and would discourage the average reader to tackle so much information if they aren’t as interested in this artist. Drop capitals are used at the beginning of two paragraphs, breaking up the text for the reader with a serif font. However there is a particularly large bright red drop capital faded into the background behind the article. The letter ‘L’ is a drop capital for the opening word ‘Lady’, therefore the initial of her name is one of the first things we see when we look at this page in Q’s renowned for bright red colour.

            Q’s notorious colour scheme of red, white and black has been maintained throughout this double page spread, having the image and text black and white and then the large letter ‘L’ bringing in the bright red. This works well in creating a simplistic yet effective theme for Q, targeting their sophisticated slightly older audience. There is also a bold black line separating the text to the date, page number and logo at the bottom of the page, I like this idea and would like to use it for my double page spread. Lady Gaga’s name is presented at the top right hand corner of the page as a title for the article. The word ‘lady’ is in lower case italic font having connotations of her being elegant and lady like, and then the word ‘GAGA’ is in upper case normal font with connotations her bolder more eccentric side.

            I really like this double page spread for Q and would like to try and incorporate many of its features and conventions into my double page spread. For example the black and white image and the classy colour scheme.