Analysis of Existing Double Page Spread

This double page spread was taken from NME magazine, February 2011. I’ve chosen to analyse this one in particular as I am aware that NME is a very popular and well known magazine- therefore exploring it’s features and layout may help me to ensure that my own looks realistic and effective; and also have the potential to be as successful as NME. Straightaway, I can see that the main focal point of the spread is the image of ‘Beth Ditto’ located on the page on the left. Her code of expression is blank and distant; her code of gesture showing her head tilted slightly to the right with her hand on her head. I think this has the effect of a natural and candid image, opposed to a staged one. Her code of dress is mainly black clothing from what we can see, she is also wearing black eye make-up, has black hair and is wearing a dark shade lipstick. I don’t personally know who Beth Ditto is, but already just by looking at her image, I am able to assume that she fits perfectly into a ‘gothic-tragic-rebellious’ stereotype. In some ways this can reflect the genre of music that she is involved in, or the area of music that NME magazine covers. On the left of this image, it reads 'AM I RESPECTABLE NOW? I got drunk and simultaneously puked and pissed my own pants recently.' I personally think this is a very interesting quote, and definately supports her rebellious image. By asking a question, she is drawing a reader in, allowing them to intepret her story in their own ways. This text looks as though it has been drawn with crayon, making it personal to 'Beth Ditto' and I think, also expresses her personality. The font is a deep shade of pinking, matching her lipstick, as well as text on the other page. This has been done to avoid any bold colour contrasts and to ensure that all the colours compliment eachother. On the other page, the text has been set out into three columns; this makes it easier for an audience to read. Also, in amongst this text is a quote printed larger than the rest and in a different colour, reading: 'MY FRIENDS SAID I'D REGRET SOME OF THE STUFF I DID. I DON'T.' This is one of the first things a reader notices, and makes them curious as to what she is talking about. This double page spread also includes featues such as gutters, pull quotes and drop caps, which are typical of magazine articles- I will take this into consideration when creating my own music magazine.