Double page spread analysis - Q

• The layout of this double page spread article seems to focus around text rather than images. There is text covering the majority of both pages, each page has four columns, making them appear symmetrical and easy on the eye. When you first look at the double page spread as a whole, I feel you are drawn to the article title and main image as they take up a large proportion of the space. In terms of the ratio between text and images, there is definitely a lot more text on the double page and I think this makes the magazine appear more mature and intelligent as the focus is on text instead of visual aids. Subheadings are visible on this double spread, and there is a boxing device containing a quote from the artist being interviewed which would capture the reader’s attention. The font used on this article is basic and traditional, but this ensures the reader’s attention is focused on the content of the article and not distracted by elaborate fonts, as well as reflecting the professional style of Q magazine. Bold text separates the interview questions from the answers, making the articles easier to follow. The colour scheme of this double page spread is also basic, but does follow on from the front cover by using a bright red for main areas of the article, like the Q logo on the cover. The background of the pages are white and this makes the text clear and easy to read.

• The mode of address of this article is quite informal but still mature and sophisticated. I think this is due to the interview style and 16-24 year old target audience (maybe even older). Not much explicit or colloquial language has been used in this article, which is slightly unusual given that it is an interview, but reflects Q’s overall style. The content of this article is an interview with an old music artist who is making a comeback in the industry, suggesting the feature has been written to appeal to an older audience. ‘The Q Interview’ at the top of the first page indicates that this is a regular Q feature and each month a different artist is interviewed.

• The main image on this article is on the second page and takes up about a quarter of the space of the overall double spread. It seems to be an image from a photoshoot as it looks to be professionally taken in a studio. You know that this image is a current photo of the interviewed artist due to an accompanied caption positioned on the corner of the photo which also contains a quote. The subject is wearing chunky jewellery and his arms have been included in the photo showing his tattoos. This, along with the subject’s expression in the photo, gives a rough, edgy appearance. This photo is adding a visual aid to the reader, to enhance their experience of studying the article, along with a smaller second image on the first page capturing an old photo from 1981 of the same subject. I also think these two images help break up the text and make the article less intense to read.