taextual a nalysis double page spreads
TRANSCRIPT
Textual Analysis Double Page Spreads
Florence + the Machine – Vibe Magazine
Ben Lee – Rolling Stone Australia
Pink – Cash for Questions
Flo
rence +
th
e M
achin
e –
Vib
e M
agazin
e
• This double page spread featuring
Florence and the Machine in Vibe
magazine is very appealing. The text is
used on different layers – the USA is
behind because there is an obvious
reference to it in the photo, and the
second part is a more freehand, relaxed
font.
• Similar to the contents page of the
same magazine, it balances the more
contemporary font with the old-
fashioned.
• The title is also a play on words, as
“You’ve got the Love” was one of her
featured songs off their last album.
• Cleverly, as the photo and the title take
up the majority of the double page, there
is only a bit of room left for a few
columns of writing
• The photo used, picturing English singer
Florence Welch sitting on top of the
American flag, connotes her
determination to make it big in America.
The look on her face and her positioning
on the flag connotes an image of power
and authority.
• This is furthered by the ‘femme fatale’
image she is portraying in wearing the
tight leather clothes and the black, high-
heeled shoes. This choice in clothing
also relates to the fashion section of the
magazine.
• The American flag has significance in
this shot, because as Florence Welch is
trying to sell her records, she is meant
to look like she is controlling it, and
hopefully dominating the charts.
Ben L
Ee,
- R
olli
ng S
tone A
ustr
alia
• The text used in the title of this double
page spread is a direct allusion to the
film, The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button. This immediately makes the
connection between an interesting story
and quite an eccentric Australian singer.
The gradient on the font (it starts off
opaque and then darkens) is another
reference to the film, as well as hinting
at the singer’s found direction, both
musically and personally.
• The font used in the drop case is not
special at all, but its boldness does suit
the conservative style of the magazine
• The image, which has been
selected for this spread is a
fun-loving, bright and colourful
photo. It depicts an alternative
group of people enjoying
themselves in the sun. The
main figure is Ben Lee, and his
eccentricity is shown in his
clothing choice.
• The iconography within the
shot is the musical instrument
– his guitar. This, as well as
the environment and people
around him, suggest a laid
back, acoustic style of music.
• These connote the target
audience and typical
environment for his music, and
the other people in the photo
communicates that is light-
hearted music to be enjoyed
with friends.
Pin
k –
Cash f
or
Questions
• The photo is completely separate from
the left-hand page, showing the singer
Pink smiling and enjoying herself. This
photo indicates the people who would
buy her music, and her nose piercing
connotes her personality; the tomboy or
rebellious nature that is generally
associated with her and her music.
• There is a quote from the article in the
bottom right-hand corner, and besides
that and her name on the other page;
the two pages are completely separate.
• The double-page spread shown
opposite differs in the layout, compared
to the previous two. The text is
predominately on the left-hand page,
which is levelled out by the photo on the
right page.
• The fonts and lettering are standard, but
the worry with so much text on one page
is that the reader might skim through it,
as it is so text heavy.
• This therefore means that despite its
question and answer style prose, only
the die-hard Pink fans would thoroughly
read the article.
Summary Out of all the double page spreads analysed, I have
found:
The different levels of text works extremely well – it also allows
more to fit on the page.
Background is extremely important, and it must suit the genre of
the magazine – can’t be too bland!!
A pun draws the reader into the article, and simple lettering can
be supported by a well-place picture.
Make sure there is continuity between the text, photo, colour
scheme and design.