Case Study part 4: Double page spread

Analysing the double page spread of a magazine

The double page spread is about Amanda Seyfried who’s a very famous actress. This article occupies 10 pages in the magazine which includes 4 pages dedicated to photos of her. This article fits in with the target audience as the magazine aims for working females; Amanda is a very successful woman so the audience will want to read about her and her personal life as well as all of her successes.

The first thing that stands out on the first double page spread is the title ‘American Beauty’ which is in bold, bright red capital letters taking up half of the page. This straightaway stands out to the audience making them want to read it. The colour red connotes danger, passion and love so it’s quite an eye-catching colour and it contrasts the white background which makes it even more powerful on the page. American Beauty could be referred to Amanda herself and how she’s a beautiful woman and it’s also a very popular 1999 American drama film, so women that are familiar with that film will recognise the title immediately. Women are attracted to words that are associated to looks so ‘beauty’ will make them want to read on as it could suggest this article will talk about Amanda’s beauty in some way.

Above the main title you have a little paragraph of information which gives a very short summary of what the article is going to be about. They use a much smaller font but big enough for the reader to read, it’s also simplified so that the readers can have a quick overview. The paragraph includes alliteration of the letter ‘H’ by using the words ‘hilarious’, ‘heart-breaking’ and ‘honest’, and repeats that using the letter ‘F’ with ‘fertility’ and ‘feeling the fear’. Doing this helps makes the passage flow so it makes it easier for the audience to read and gain information quickly. By having this little summary it will then allow readers to have a choice whether they want to read on or not. The passage also says ‘it’s off camera that Amanda Seyfried will really knock your socks off.’ This suggests that there is so much more to the Amanda we see on television, which will make the readers want to find out more about her by reading the article, they will want to know how she gets through her problems.  This is also in black which stands out on the white and goes well with the main red title; you see a clear colour scheme running through which keeps the page looking professional.

On the right side of the double page is a close up of Amanda wearing a lavish red looking dress accompanied with bright red lips. This makes her come across as very striking and it catches the reader’s eye as it’s a very strong colour. With the title being red and herself having red elements it gives the page a sense of completion which engages the audience as its very pleasant to look at in terms of how tidy it looks on the page. Using a close up shot represents her importance as the article is all revolved around her and it will allow the audience to identify her and be familiar with who she is.

On the next double page spread, is where the article actually starts with a full page of writing on the left and a photo on the right. On the left the article is laid out in two columns so it’s easier to read, it will also keep the attention of the readers as the editor doesn’t want to bore them. In the middle of the page, the editor has picked out a quote and used a larger font so that the readers view it first. it could suggest it’s a very important moment in the article so it will make the readers look for it in the article and therefore read on. This is quite commonly done in magazines so that the readers are on alert and have their attention directed somewhere else, still keeping them interested in the article. It also starts off with a sentence describing Amanda before leading onto the article which gives the readers an insight as to what will be spoken about. The article uses black simple font which stands out on the white background. Italics are used for the questions the interviewer is asking so that there’s a clear difference which makes sure the readers don’t get confused. Using black simple fonts makes the page look professional and clean giving it a sense of sophistication.

On the right there’s a picture of Amanda, this time in using a medium long shot where she’s positioned right in the middle. She’s looking directly at the audience making eye contact this will make the readers feel more welcomed into the article as they are involved in it all. She wears a delicate dress with sequins and beads all over which have elements of red, again accompanied by her red lips. This follows through with the colour scheme keeping it consistent throughout.

The next double page spread is simply 2 images of Amanda one with a mid-shot of her looking away from the camera, and the other a wide shot of her jumping in the air wearing a dress. These two pictures are very different to each other which means it will make the audience want to look at them as there’s a difference. It’s also good to have a little ‘break’ from the article and not just have pages of writing as this will disengage the readers, so by having something visual it will keep their interests. For every photograph used there’s a little description of what she’s wearing so that the readers know and are able to look further if they want to purchase any of the items of clothing. There’s also a quote alongside one of the photos which is taken directly from the article, which talks about her experiences as an actress, this will interest the readers as she shares her personal experiences.

The following page also contains one image. This is a wide shot which covers both pages completely. This is different to the other images as its much bigger, the variation in pictures will keep the readers interested as they can see her in different ways, this includes in the different outfits she wears. In this photo she wears a more sophisticated outfit which includes a suit which readers will associate with as that is their uniform they wear on a daily basis.

On the last double page spread the editor uses the same layout once again with the left having two columns carrying on the article. There is also the use of the quote in the middle of the page standing out against the rest of the writing. This particular quotation is about her wanting to have a child. This will have an effect on the audience as they are women, so for women children play a huge role in their life. The article is laid out the same like the previous pages which shows consistency and the formality they are trying to present. Opposite there’s another picture of Amanda now with a close up of her looking away from the camera. She also wears the same outfit that is worn on the front cover which gives the audience a sense of familiarity and completeness to the article as it’s the last picture off her from the article.  

Case Study part 3: Contents page

Analysing the contents of a magazine

The Marie Claire contents page follows the conventions needed for a contents page these include:

•  The layout – the contents page is set out in columns on both pages with one column running down the length of the magazine filled with several articles to choose from. It’s arranged in a very clear list so that you don’t get confused when trying to find a specific topic or article. On the first page of the contents there is a separate column for cover stories to separate if from the rest of the articles.

• Images – on the first page of the contents there is one main image that takes nearly half of the page. This image consists of a wide shot of a woman walking and looking directly at the audience making eye contact. Within the page there are only 2 more images which are a pair of shoes and a handbag; this is situated around the bottom right of the page in a much smaller size. Using the big image will attract the audience into seeing what article it follows through, and it also suggests that the editor wants the readers to view this particular article as it might be the main cover story.  On the second page of the contents there is a wider range of pictures used to take up the left hand side of the page. These pictures include a model which suggests a page on the latest fashion, a mise-en-scene from a film for an article about behind the scenes, a picture of a t-shirt which leads onto an article about personalised t-shirts, makeup products talking about the new beauty essentials and a mid-shot of Amanda Seyfried for her interview. These pictures are more or less the same size which could suggest they are of the same importance and there for the audience to view and have different options. There are numbers on the pictures indicating what page, which makes it easier for the readers.

• On the top of the page there is the name of the magazine clearly printed in black font which stands out and the word contents august below in capital letters, also in a different font which grabs the reader’s attention and makes it clear for people that collect that it’s an August edition.

• There is also information on subscription on the second page of the contents, which is in bold front and gives information about how to subscribe. It also says ‘subscribe by text now!’ which will attract readers as nowadays everyone has a mobile phone so this will encourage readers to subscribe. It also includes a picture of the front cover of the magazine.

• Contents: the contents are divided into categories with individual headings which stand out to the articles to make it clear for the readers. The categories include: fashion first, features, cover stories, kids special, fashion, beauty, every month and just for you. Within each article you also have an extra line of information as to what the article will be about.

Colours: 

The main colours used in the contents pages are: black, white, orange and red.

•      The colour black is used for the writing on the contents; these include the different categories, headings and subheadings. The words ‘contents august’ is also in black. The colour black is used because it stands out against the white which means the readers will be able to see the different categories clearly and not be confused.

•      The colour white is used for the background which keeps the page simple and crisp looking. White is a good colour to use as every colour goes with it and the editor can choose any theme for their pages. It also makes all the information and pictures stand out even more.

•      Orange and red is used on the first page of the contents for the cover stories sections which suggests they want the readers to view that section first as its most important. The box has a dip dye effect of orange transitioning to red which makes it more interesting so it will catch the eyes of the reader. This is also the same on the second page of the contents where the box informing people to subscribe uses the same dip dye effect.

In terms of font, they use the same font for the magazine name as this is known to be their own unique font which people recognise them as. The words ’contents august’, ‘cover stories’ and each subheadings use the same fonts which makes it stand out against the ordinary text used for the individual articles. The font is simple so it’s easy for the audience to read the information.

As this magazine is for female adults, especially working women, the language which is used has to be appropriate and formal as the magazine is quite professional.  Words like ‘hot’ are used which is typical attracting women, as women want to feel hot and it’s also an eye catching word when describing fashion etc. The editor also uses a rhetorical question which will make the readers think. It also does this in order to try and interact the reader so that they pay attention to the magazine.