This is my research and development on my Double Page Spread. I have decided to separate my research and development from my front cover research to help me separate them and be more organised.
Reflection: This research has been very helpful in helping me envision the layout of my double page spread for my own magazine. By picking out certain elements from these 2 magazines that I disliked/liked, I was able to create a set expectation for my own magazine that I believe needs to be fulfilled in order to be visually appealing. This research has also given me ideas for the layout of the double page spread
BetterHomes&Garden.
Before Reading ;
Magazine: BetterHomes&Garden, US
Issue: September 2023
Publisher: Dotdash Meredith (US) / Pacific Magazines (AUS)
Genre: Food, Cuisine, Baking, Cooking, Recipe
Images: One picture for each recipe, all from an overhead shot to display the food as a whole. Large rectangular framed picture in the midddle with the cast irons positioned in a inverted triangle way take up the middle of the page and two other pictures that are slightly smaller with their cast iron slightly out of frame.
Layout: Page numbers are small and on the bottom left or right of a page. This magazine has a very minimalistic style but the large amount of texts fill in the negative space while accompanying a picture. There are no drop caps seen throughout this page
First impressions: I thought the large picture in the middle really caught my attention and the visual flow of pictures starting from the upper left, middle to bottom right really made it easy for my eyes to follow.
After Reading ;
Heading: Names of the dish (Lemon-Garlic Braise Eggs, Eggs and Bacon Dutch Baby Minis, Almond Dutch Baby with Cherry Compote)
Subheading:Names of addons (Cherry Compote, Sweetened Whipped Cream, Soft-Boiled Eggs)
Tips and tricks("Hotter is Better")
Actions/tasks that will be done ("Bake", "Stand", "Hands on")
Author: There is no byline nor photographer mentioned in the double-paged spread but they can be found in the 4th page of the magazine that mentions and credits every person involved in the magazine.
Article: A straightforward recipe on the dish displayed in the pictures
Mode of address: It does include a direct mode of address such as using words like "you" seen in the "Hotter is Better" but its very rare overall and only seen when the magazine suggests adding personal preferences to the dish. It is very formal that can be hinted from the lack of descriptive words and simply just acting as instructions
Pull Quote: No pull quote has been used here
Audience: The audience seems to be people who need clear and straight instructions and passionate cooks from a skill level higher than intermediate as the requirement of instruments not common in every household (12-inch/8-inch cast-iron skillet). The audience may also care about their diet as the magazine does provide a nutrition facts.
Impression: I found the article to be a long read but had very clear, specific and easy instructions. It is simply a recipe so it did not need to be "interesting"
Inspiration: I will take inspiration with the image and visual flow and layout of the page. I disliked the only recipe and picture of dish format of the magazine so I will surely add more to my magazine to make it more personal while still providing information on the dish I will present.
(The Guardian) Feast
Before Reading ;
Magazine: (The Guardian) Feast, UK
Issue: January 2024
Publisher: Guardian Media Group
Genre: Health, Food, Cuisine
Images: One large rectangle filled with circular plates positioned in a diamond shape with some plates slightly out of frame. Adddition of a cut-out oval dish added to the side.
Layout: All texts aligned to the left. Texts are lengthy yet there are still large negative spaces throughout the page. Page numbers are located in the bottom left and right. No drop caps are used however there is the use of headings, accompanied with sub-headings.
First impressions: I cant help noticing that this page looked very empty and awkward with their positioning of texts and images. Their cut-out of one of the dishes didn't make any sense as it didn't feel like it had value or added any extra visual to the page. Texts were lengthy, simple, and straightforward so it had seemed more like an informational book then a recipe book and the negative space left by the texts made it seem like there were missing information.
After Reading ;
Heading: (Thomasina Miers) Sunday Best, Brussels sprout caesar salad, Chickpea and squash pozole rojo
Subheading: Pozoles are a family of delicate broths, For the dressing/garnish, To garnish
Actions/tasks that will be done : Action words related to cooking such as trim, shred, wash, dry, pour, heat, scatter, drain, simmer
Author: "Thomasina Miers" seen in the heading with Sunday best is the name of the Author and it takes place above the heading rather than (where its often seen) below. The names of the photographers and other staff including the food styling and prop styling are found positioned vertically by the right of the main picture.
Article: Explanation on pozoles including their ingredients, labeling of recipe (vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free), simple estimated time table for prepping, cooking and list of ingredients used for their recipes,
Mode of address: Rarely address the reader directly, avoiding it by giving clear instructions. The single time it does refer to the audience, it uses the word "you". This suggest a formal tone with no intention of "chit-chat".
Pull Quote: No pull quote has been used here
Audience: The audience seems to be people who are interested in healthy foods or are health-conscious and enjoy looking for homemade recipes that fit their eating habits (vegan/vegetarian). These people may also be food-adventourous and curious to try new foods as the author introduces a new dish, pozoles, hinting that the audience may not have known about the dish beforehand. The audience is likely to care about their time and enjoy planning as the magazines were provided with prep and cook times.
Impression: This article was extremely boring and lengthy but its unambiguos instructions made it easy to be skimmed, thus fulfilling its use of just a recipe book to be used whenever needed.
Inspiration: I dislike the overal atmosphere of this magazine as the whole page felt like a hospital room, clean but plain and uninteresting. Therefore. I will be unlikely taking any inspiration from this magazine other than the positioning of the dishes- I'm seeing a pattern with food magazines and the way they position their dishes/plates to create a shape. However, I will be using this magazine as a reference on what I should avoid when creating my own magazine and give my magazine a more personal touch to it