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 & Eskimo

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. Finishizer: Fail Hitler

18. Zoo Safari: Lion

19. French Ministry of Health: Childhood Obesity

20. Maxam Toothpaste: Roman Civilization

20 (b). Egyptian Civilization

21. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation: Deathbed

22. Hut Weber: Hitler vs. Chaplin

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

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

58 (b). Luxor Highlighters: Hitler

58 (c). Luxor Highlighters: Che

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.



