Even the best advertising idea can get ruined if the art direction is not spot on. The design and execution of any campaign is as important as the idea itself.
Good art direction makes the message the hero. It makes the consumer think about the product, the brand, and its benefits.
Today’s post is a compilation of the finest examples of design, illustration, typography, photography, composition, and post production in print advertising. From Cannes-winners to all-time classics, we’ve shortlisted 60 brilliant ads with incredible art direction. Check them out below.
1. Australia Post: Hug
2. Crossword Bookstores: Lips
3. Schusev State Museum of Architecture: Saint Basil’s Cathedral
3 (b). Bolshoi Theatre
4. Jeep: Husky & Camel (Two Worlds)
4 (b). Bushman & Inuit
4 (c). Mountain Goat & Crocodile
5. MasterCard Canada: Women’s Golf Classic
6. Ipanema Gisele Bundchen G2B Sandals: Splash
6 (b). Splash 2
6 (c). Splash 3
7. Philips Led Torch: Forest
7 (b). Alley
8. Garage Fitness Club: Cobra
9. Kapiti: Designer Ice Cream
10. Copenhagen Zoo: Snake Bus
11. SANCCOB: Illusion
12. FedEx: China-Australia
13. Mercedes Benz: Christmas Tree
14. The Times of India: The Identity of Young Chennai
15. Band-Aid: Hulk
16. ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation: Bike
17. Pedigree: A dog makes your life happier. Adopt.
18. Zoo Safari: Lion
19. French Ministry of Health: Childhood Obesity
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20. Maxam Toothpaste: Roman Civilization
20 (b). Egyptian Civilization
21. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation: Deathbed
22. Lego: The Shadow Knows
23. Dills Digestive Mints: Jet Salmon
24. FedEx: ‘Always First’ Truck
25. Penguin Audiobooks: William Shakespeare
26. MTV Networks: Black Ribbon Michael Jackson
27. Keloptic: Impressionism
28. Guinness: Phones Down
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29. Plant for the planet: Factory
30. Career Junction: Grocery list
31. Principe Ketchup: Hot Dog
32. Zwilling J. A. Henckels Knives
33. McDonald’s Breakfast: Cactus
34. Zoo Bratislava: Lion
35. McDonald’s: Wi-Fries
36. Bench Fix Hairstyling Products: Gecko
37. Heinz Hot Ketchup
38. National Geographic: 3D Crocodile Escalator
39. Ecovia: Stop the Violence, Don’t drink and drive
40. UNEP: Skyline
41. Jeep: Elephant
41 (b). Jeep: Doe
41 (c). Jeep: Giraffe
42. Nivea Men: Worry lines, Kids
43. Unicef: Water Bomb
44. John Lewis: Home
44 (b). John Lewis: Beauty
44 (c). John Lewis: Little Waitrose
45. Bango Sweet Soy Sauce: Mutton
46. Playboy Magazine: Hands
47. Hard Rock Cafe: Fork
48. LEGO: The Simpsons
49. Adidas: Forever Sport (Double Page Ads)
50. Nilkamal Plastics: Elephant
51. Chupa Chups lollipops: Sugar Free
52. McDonald’s: Real. Good.
53. Bosch IXO Power Tool
54. IKEA: Need Space?
55. Schick Quattro Razor: Tattoo
56. WWF: Elephant
57. Kayaking Jumbo Peanuts: Choking
58. Luxor Highlighters: Chaplin
59. World No Tobacco Day
60. Superman Returns: Elevator
If we had to pick three, it would be tough, but no. 1, 4 and 41 would be our favourites. What about you? Share this post and voice your views in the comments below.