Research on Contemporary Magazine Double Page spreads

Research on the Layout of double page spreads on contemporary magazines

I have looked at 5 magazines of different genres. I have picked a double page spread from each one, thinking that the way they are all presented is different. For example, alike the front cover on the NME front cover, the double page spread is very simple, black text on white paper, with a coloured image. There are no colourful glitzy boxes containing information unlike the Closer double page spread. I do quite like this layout, and makes the reader read the interview without distractions. On the other scale of the spectrum is the double page inside the Closer magazine. A women’s weekly magazine aimed at women. This double page spread is full of colour, special effects, images – but interestingly not a lot of interesting information. The NME interview discusses issues with singer Florence, unlike the Closer double page spread which includes discussion topics such as “who talked to Victoria Beckham on the phone last week”. I think that without out a doubt my music magazine will contain an interview along similar lines of that from the NME interview – after all, my magazine is a music magazine and not a celebrity gossip magazine. The inside soap double page spread is quite busy, there are 4 images used. From the double page spreads I have looked at, I can say that I want the story or interview to be the main focus of the page. I understand that my front cover and contents pages are “busy” but I think that once the audience has bought and is reading the magazine, there is no need for the “in your face” colours and shapes, I simply want the double page spread to show simplicity and quality content in the interview.