Analysis of similar products- Double page spread

Cornwall today:

This Cornwall today double page spread is in-keeping with the front cover and contents we have seen before. It features a moody colour palette, yet again. The image itself is very dark and only highlighted by the food, which is the main focus of the image. The text is written in white making out stand out on the darker background. I feel that the layout of this double page spread isn't as clear as it could be. There are three separate images. The image on the left and the main image on the right almost overlap themselves which may confuse the reader. However the use of colour is good and the masthead is clear and interesting.

In terms of typography, there is plenty of information included but not too much as to bore the reader. The main text is in a simple san serif font. The masthead has an image for the 'A' in 'boatshed'. this is interesting and draws attention. There is a logo on the right page next to the minor image. This is so the reader can recognise the restaurant name.

This double page spread goes  slightly against common codes and conventions as the image layout is a bit different.

Cornwall Life:

Cornwall life magazine have kept with their laid back light colour scheme with blues and yellows to highlight the page. It includes one main image and four minor images. The main image shows a lovely woodland scenery, very typical for a Cornwall. Although some of the pictures are dark they have lightened the page up with a white background and some light green text in areas.

The layout of the page is simple yet gives all of the details you need the images do a lot of the telling for you and also grab the readers attention. The layout stick with common codes and conventions, but has little text which leads me to think it may continue onto another page.

The typography itself is simple and there are no fancy fonts for the masthead, just italics for the subtitle. I like the overall style and layout of this page however I think I will add more colour to my double page spread and use less images.

Runners world:

This runners world double page spread is very colourful and combines the aspect of mind and sport together, creating some interesting cartoons for the images of the page. The colours used match those of the front cover with the warm track red, but includes some new colours such as cool blue and pale yellow. all of these colours have different connotations. All of which relate to sport. The cool blue representing the sad and harsh times in sport, the track red representing heat and frustration and the yellow connoting happiness and success.

The layout is clear and you are able to understand the flow of the page. The colours from the images are carried on within the layout and text boarders. The typography is simple yet effective with bold fronts for the title and subtitles. Some important information is highlighted in either red or blue to make it stand out. I like this layout and I think I will take some ideas when I come to do my double page spread.

Double page spread analysis:

From my double page spread analysis I can see that each one is laid out in a very different way and each has a unique style of it’s own. In this case, Cornwall today and Cornwall life are very different. Their layout and choice of images do not feature anything of the same sort. Cornwall today have stuck, yet again to dark colours and has an article on a Cornish restaurant called ‘The pavilion Boatshed restaurant. Cornwall life features on beach image and the rest are very warm and inviting pictures of places in Cornwall. Runners world keep it simple yet interesting with cartoon drawn images and bright colours that draw the readers attention. The layout of Cornwall life and Cornwall today follow common codes and conventions of a double page spread, however Cornwall today is laid out slightly different with all it’s images at the top which isn’t normally seen in a double page spread but it works well for this particular set of pages.

 Of all of the pages I have studied for this analysis I like runners world magazine best for it’s double page spread. I have come to this decision because I like its colour palette and layout. However I think I will stick to less images and defy common codes and conventions like Cornwall today has done with their double page spread. The titles of Cornwall today and Cornwall life are perfect size to fit with the text and easy for the reader to spot. However runner’s world has chosen to use a fairly small font for its title, which may be difficult to work out.

For my double page spread I think I will have one main image and possibly only one minor image. I like to have just one main image as to not distract the reader from the text too much, I feel the writing is the most important section of the pages. The text is what gives you the information. The image is also a key part of the page, which is why I think there should be one image to reflect the text. Unlike runners world I will use actual images of Cornish athletes, as my magazine is regional. I think it will be an action shot. I like the idea of an athlete running on a coastal path to fit with the regional aspect of the brief as well as the athlete being Cornish. I will keep with my colour scheme from my contents page and front cover and carry this on to my double page spread. In terms of typography I think I will use a mix of serif, san serif and italics to create a bold look. Cornwall today have done this with their title and I think it create a quirky unique look. The italic look is used in Cornwall life’s magazine in the last word of their title followed by ellipsis. Runner’s world’s title is very plain which I don’t like personally. Overall I like Runners world magazine best but will take aspects from all magazines to create my own.