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.