Double Page Spread (1)

Double Spread Page Spread - Overall View

A double page spread is the iconic feature of a magazine, as it what a majority of the readers  would look at first. It usually contains information about the artist/band, what they do in their spare time. It tries to reveal to the reader what the artist/band would not reveal to any other magazine, it also occupied with images, be it one or more than one there is always an image.

• Vibe Magazine

From my research Vibe tends to go with the simple layout of a magazine, making it look neat and professional. Majority of the times the editors tend to do articles rather than interviews. The few times which they did publish an interview it was during where that certain artist/band would have something going on with them in which they assume their target audience would want to know. I love the consistence of the font and the use of baseline it really gives the article a fresh clean cut to it. 

• NME Magazine

Out of all the magazine I looked at the layout of NME was my favorite, it really embedded the name of the article into its feature which I think is a unique good way to structure out an article. The colour scheme is very simple which with all the shapes and effect used it very necessary and in some ways balances out the article. 

• Q Magazine

Q magazine double-double page spread, is very creative as it avoids the article looking like there too much text. Out off all the magazines I researched I felt Q magazine had the overall package of a successful magazine. I liked the way the colour scheme of the front page with the featured artist linked in very well with the double-double page spread. 

Double Page Spread - Q

•  This double page spread is majority article and with a small section which is an interview.
• Q magazine has done two double page spread for Coldplay, the first double page spread is dominated by an image of the band but with one column while the second double page spread is dominated by article and interview with a few images 

First Double page Spread 

Double Page Spread - Vibe

The double page spread is split into three sections which usual layout for a double page spread starting with a drop cap, however it spread out in an unusual way. Usually the image is always placed first then the text comes after or the first page is just a image of the artist/band with no text. The editor has opted for a article rather than an interview, which readers would definitely draw in the type of people who enjoy reading. Moreover the usual but unusual layout is for the individuals who dislike reading a lot of text; having a pull quote (Bold|Font-Sans Serif|Colour-Red) at the beginning of the article  'I KINDA HAVING SOME FAKE PERSONA WOULD NEVER WORK...I GREW UP ON TELEVISION. GOOGLE ME. MY WORST HAIRSTYLES AND WORST OUTFITS, IT'S ALL DOCUMENTED' encourages those individuals to not only read on but to actually Google the artist to see whether the quote is true. Additionally the pull quote acts a drip feed as gives the reader a quick inside on Drake's realistic personality. 


Next the body text has four columns, the editor uses a baseline which makes the article look neat and professional - the paragraphs begin and end at the same level. Also the consistence of the font (Sans-Serif) also shows professionalism and neatness. 

The article present two different images of the artist (Drake), one is him casually dressed, seems like his very relaxed in his comfort zone, his facial expression, looking down giving the reader the impression he has a playful, shy side to him. In some ways he is interacting with the readers regardless of him not directly looking at the camera, the playful, shy facial expression makes his presence seem realistic which readers can relate to. The second image, Drake looks more of a work state, his facial expression serious, the background of the studio and him smoking a cigar not only shows you how the work ethnics is in the music industry but it shows Drake's adaption to the music industry and the Hip Hop culture. Also the second image is de-saturated while the first image is not, which shows the serious and simple nature of Drake. 

Double Page Spread - NME

In this double page spread the images dominate majority of the page. The way the images are presented are very important, for example the posture of the band members presented (left) mimic the meaning of the article - teenagers. I found that NME went with the stereotype of teenagers, the carefree personality, drunken, partying behavior. This is shown through the images in the background, and the posture in which they are lying in; gives you the impression they are lazy just like every other stereotypical teenager. The colour scheme is very simple (Black|White|Blue) - put together they become quite attractive colours and they grab your attention and the colour blue itself conveys coolness and fits in with the laid back attitudes of teenagers. Also the simplicity of the colour scheme stops the spread from looking overcrowded, which encourages the reader to read on for it does not to long to read. 

The editor has chosen a long article which contains the history of the band and bands which our similar to this band featured, there is also highlighted quotes which the editor assumes would draw in their target audience. Doing an article rather than an interview like ordinary magazines - e.g Q moreover it would just attract people who enjoying reading.However that does not apply to everyone nonetheless the factual box (placed on the image) is a unique way to incorporate the rest of the people who do not enjoy reading, as now have something short, simple, interesting to read than the long article. Additionally the effect the editor used making the factual box look like a ripped out piece of paper makes the reader feel like the band personal created that box. In addition NME put their signature stamp on the image - The red box at the bottom of the page (the same red as the logo NME) contains their website which is a good selling point as they interact with their readers not only through their magazine but online on their website. Also above there is a shape that says 'NME loves' this shows the support of the band by NME moreover encouraging readers to buy their album since NME likes them.

Hip Hop and R&B

Hip Hop and R&B are a dance, a type of culture and basically music. 


R&B

R&B is the abbreviation of rhythms and blues. It was originated in the 1940s, a popular African American music. Originally the term R&B was just a word used by record companies used to describe recordings that was predominately marketed to urban African Americans during the times that urbane, jazz and rocking based music, which contained vibrant, insistent beats were becoming very popular. 

Over a period of time the term of R&B subsequently kept shifting in meaning. Around the early 1950s, R&B was frequently applied just to blues records. During the mid-1950s (in which this genre of music contributed to development of Rock and Roll), R&B was used to refer to styles of music that developed and incorporated gospel, soul music and electric blues. Eventually by the 1970-80s the newer style of R&B were developed and it became known as contemporary R&B.


Hip Hop 
Hip Hop is a form of musical expression that not originated from African-American but Hispanic-American communities during the 1970s (New York - Bronx). There is four main pillars to Hip Hop: MCing|DJing|B-Boying and graffiti writing. Graffiti may seem like an odd pillar to hold Hip Hop, however the relationship between Hip Hop and graffiti arises from the appearance of new and elaborate forms of the practice in areas where other elements of Hip Hop were evolving as art forms. In our modern society graffiti remains part of Hip Hop, while crossing into the mainstream art world with renowned exhibits in galleries throughout the world. Since its emergence (South Bronx), the culture of Hip Hop has spread both urban and suburban communities throughout the world. 


The first emergence of Hip Hop was with a disc jockey (above right-side) which created rhythmic beats by looping breaks on two turn tables. This was later accompanied by Rap.