Page LayoutTask1

Patrick Gouldsbrough

Headline/Header – While the main function of the header is to draw the audience to read the article, it’s also there to give information on the subject. This can come in many forms, whether it’s alliteration, a quote or word play, the headline must draw the consumer in, or risk a decrease in viewership.

Column – This is a way of splitting up the text so it’s not written in lines across the double page spread. However, even columns don’t look effective when they aren’t split up by a pull quote/crosshead.

Cut-out – This refers to the removal of a background of a photograph. The background is then replaced by a coloured background. This technique is effective when contrasted with a monochrome photograph (like in this example)

Dateline – Helps the consumer identify when the article was written. This will then allow the producer to archive it and then view it when writing future articles on the same subject, which will allow a past perspective on the story.

Portrait orientation – Even though the double page spread together is set out in a landscape manner, the article is orientated the same way as the cover page, not written long ways across the page.

Page number – This technique is used so the article can be easily found amongst the pages within the media product. The contents page will list what’s inside and makes the article you want easy to find.

Double page spread – A popular layout with magazines, which allows the producer to have a full page photograph, instead of trying to fit them on the same one page layout.

Strap line – some headers don’t give out much information about the story because they sometimes convey enigma. The Strap-line is there to ensure information about the article is communicated to the consumer.

Drop capital – Each article, or sometimes paragraph. in a newspaper/magazine starts with a capital to stand out and is a identifiable way of telling the consumer where one paragraph stops and another begins.

White space – Is viewed as a technique that makes the article look bare and the writer look like he can’t think of anything to write. However, in this case, the white space is used to make the black and red heading more effective and striking to the consumer.

Pull quote – A quote pulled out of the text, that attempts to hook the consumer into reading the article. This this quote is usually humorous or controversial, so the consumer will want to read the story.

Header – Like I stated on the previous page, the header may include a quote. This may include a pull quote or a separate quote. A separate quote will generate more interest because it doesn’t feature in the anchored article.

Double page spread – Like most magazine cover stories, this one is a double page spread. Again, it allows an alone picture to take up one page.

Columns – These columns, at first glance, look boring and aren’t broken up by pull quotes. However, the blobs and stars on the drop capital allow the article to still remain as effective.

Dateline – It doesn’t give the exact date, but it gives the month and year of the product, due to the magazine been produced monthly. While you won’t be able to archive it to an exact date, categorising articles in months will still suffice.

Page number – It has the same function as the previous example I analysed, it helps you find articles easily using the content page.

Portrait orientation – It is unusual for a media product to be landscape orientated, due to the ease of reading it without tilting the media product been detracted when in landscape form.

Crosshead/pull quote – It helps draw the audience to the text, especially with a quote like the one featured, due to the controversial nature of the man being interviewed, Liam Gallagher.

Strap line – Due to the header not giving much of the article away, it is paramount that the strap line does help the consumer identify the subject and topic of this article.

Blobs and stars – This feature helps certain aspects of the article stand out. In this particular example, the things that stand out include:•The box around the drop capital•Names•Header and strap line•Pull quote

Drop capital – The drop capital on the article doesn’t have to be large, like the previous example, but this one uses another technique (see blobs and stars)

Reverse – The dark photograph means that the text couldn’t be dark also, this is why a reverse has occurred. A white text type has been added to contrast the dark background, thus furthering the effectiveness of the article.

Border – A border helps to highlight an item or article. This technique features twice in the example. The white stripe at the bottom of the page, allows a contrast with the dark coloured article and borders the piece, while the second border is around the image on the top right, which allows the image to be highlighted to the consumer.