Codes and Conventions of a double page spread

Lauren Stocks

Main image

TV Listing

Minor images

Page number

Drop Cap

Quote

Headline

Stand First

Columns

Headings

Analysis

ImageThe main image is the largest image on the page which is of the individual or object the article is about. It is conventionally placed on the right hand side of the double page spread and the colour scheme of the magazine will also match the image. The image usually used represents what/who the article is about and can sometimes bleed between the two pages so that they are linked together. Sometimes the picture can fill the whole double page and have the text written on top of the image. Direct address is also commonly used to attract the target audience, along with the rule of thirds so that the image is presented in the center of the page. The TV listing sometimes has minor images to represent the visuals of the program and are usually not as important as the main image because they are used as extras. When we are creating our double page spread the way we layout our images and which ones we use are something we must consider. The props that we will use are most likely going to be phones so that the audience can clearly see what the article topic consists of.

Magazine Title

The magazine title is conventionally presented at the bottom of the page near the number. This is used to brand the article and inform the reader who published this article inside the magazine which is an important convention for a double page spread. This is another important aspect to include to brand the double page spread.

By-linesBy-lines are conventionally used on a double page spread to inform the reader who wrote the article and the photographers credit. This is commonly presented in a small font size so that it isn’t very noticeable nor larger than the article. For a TV listing it is also commonly presented in the top or bottom corner of the small section it has been presented with. When we present our images and text on our double page spread for our documentary we will need to make sure that we give the certain individual who wrote it and took the pictures credit.

QuotePull quotes are sometimes used on the picture to highlight the information that is most important or the most interesting. They are also often used within the article for emphasis and is typically placed in a larger or distinctive font on the same page to draw the readers attention to this. A side quote can also be used to give the reader some context about the image. Quotes from our article will be used from our research and interviews that we have conducted ourselves so that the reader can have an insight to our documentary on the mobile phone obsession. When we have finished our article, we will have to carefully select the text we want to stand out and what we think will encourage the audience to read it.

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme conventionally is shown throughout the magazine and its important because it creates the magazines whole image. Colours are usually kept to a minimum so that the double page isn’t too crowded with a wide range of colours that clash. Commonly 3 colours are used that complement each other so that the audience has something nice to look at when reading. When we create our double page spread we want to keep our colours in relation to the topic, so we decided to use blue, black and white because those are the colours that are commonly related to mobile phones.

Headline

Headlines are used to inform the reader and is an important aspect to complete the double page spread. It is conventionally presented in a short, catchy, intriguing way so that the audience wants to pick the magazine up and read it. A headline is vital for us to use on our double page spread and we will also need to make sure that it is the biggest writing on the page so that it stands out amongst the article so that the reader can decide if they are interested in reading it.

Page Number

The page number is conventionally always at the bottom of the page so that it makes it easier for the reader to navigate around the magazine and so they are able to find a certain article they want to read quickly and simply. It is in a small font at both bottom corners of the page, on the left page the number is conventionally presented on the left bottom corner and on the right hand page, the number is conventionally presented on the right bottom corner. This is also another code and convention we must use on our double page spread so that it is easier for the target audience.

Stand First

The stand first gives a brief outline of the article and can summarize the information included. It is conventionally used to intrigue the reader into reading the whole article.

Layout

The layout of the double page spread is another code and convention that is very important because the layout is created for the reader. The layout represents the publisher and the article because of the way it has been set out will be so that its easy to the eye. If the layout was messy and all over the place the audience wouldn’t read the article and not take it seriously because it doesn’t look professional.

Drop Capital

A drop capital is conventionally used to draw attention to the start of the article and to connote the beginning of a text. The first letter is always larger than the rest of the text so that it stands out to the reader and adds emphasis. This is another code and convention that we need to include within our double page spread because if we didn’t use it, there wouldn’t be any emphasis to the start of the article which is important.

Columns

The three column layout it another typical convention when it comes to double page spreads as it allows the reader to flow through the article smoothly and it keeps the page looking tidy and well structured. This makes it easier to read and for a TV listing it is usually kept in one column at the side of the page so that it doesn't take up the whole page. They are used to break up large amounts of texts and so that it looks appealing to the audience when the text has been split up into smaller sections.

Date and Time

For a TV listing article it is important that it states the date and time it will be shown on the TV so that the readers are able to watch the program. Also the date for a double page spread is conventionally next to the issue of the magazine so that the reader knows that they have the most resent monthly one. It is used to inform the reader and it is a convention that we must present in our magazine so that it appeals to our target audience and looks professional.

Overall

I have researched into this topic so that I can apply all the knowledge and research that I gain onto our DPS. I will ensure that we use all of the codes and conventions so that it will look professional and target our audience in a certain way. Overall I have learnt that DPS conventionally have 3 columns, a drop capital, stand first, page number, headline, a c certain layout, colour scheme, stand out quote, by-line, main image and magazine title which are all necessary things to include.