what the heck is a lead in spread

Well folks I hit a brick wall. Even google couldn’t give me a clear answer when googling “what is a lead in magazine spread?” I’m furiously researching this because I happen to have a lead in spread due tomorrow afternoon for class. I’ve scavenged the internet and found resources for how to write a lead in spread, but nothing on how to design one. I’ve looked at Linkedin Learning and haven’t found anything directly relating to lead in spreads.

My basic understanding of a lead in spread is that it is a spread that mainly has a large image across one page and a blurb of writing that teases the article.

Here are some Fast Company magazine lead in spreads below

So it seems the formula is simply

large image + banner+ title and introduction blurb= lead in spread

Here is my finished lead in spread

If anyone else has any resources or clarifying information, please let me know in the comments below!