Print ads don’t have to feature photography. Here are 10 that make great use of gorgeous illustrations.
Most print ads feature some combination of photography and typography. But when you next come to design a print ad, ask yourself whether a custom illustration could do the job better?
To show you what we mean, in this post we’ve brought together 10 great examples of illustration in print ads from around the world.
Of course there are plenty more besides, so we’d love to see your favourites too. Feel free to share in the comments below!
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01. Puy Du Fou
History comes alive in this print ad for a French theme park
This epic advert was created by French agency Les Gros Mots to promote Puy du Fou, a historical theme park in the Vendée region of western France. Illustrated by Julien Joly, it cleverly draws on frescoes combining all the different eras that visitors can experience at the attraction.
02. Kiss FM
A Beatle takes the place of Uncle Sam in this ad for a rock radio station
This ad to promote a rock radio station is the work of Sao Paolo agency Lua Propaganda, with illustration by 2020 Studios. It smartly updates James Montgomery Flagg's 1917 "I Want You" Poster for the American war effort, swapping Uncle Sam for John Lennon. The radio station itself features only on a small badge on Lennon’s chest, a subtle detail that somehow makes the message all the more powerful.
03. Red Cross
An evocative illustration and a thought-provoking tagline combine to great effect in this poster for the Red Cross
We’ve all become so used to shocking photography of disaster zones that we’ve started to become immune to it. Consequently, an illustration can sometimes be more effective, and that’s certainly the case with this grimly evocative scene for an attention-raising campaign for the Red Cross. It was created by Paraguay agency Verde and the illustration was by Edgar Arce.
Saint Beer gets the religious seal approval in this tongue-in-cheek ad
Catholic monasteries have long been associated with the brewing of strong beer. and this tongue-in-cheek tableau, with the tagline “Convert yourself” and a slightly blasphemous reference to the Holy Grail, conveys the point succintly and stylishly. It was the work of Brazilian agency Propague and the illustration was by Pimp Studio.
05. Assassin’s Creed
This ad for videogame Assassin’s Creed points to the brutality of poverty in Victorian England
Another ad making effective use of vintage style illustration, this ad was part of a campaign for the Assassin’s Creed Syndicate videogame, which is set in Victorian England. While that era is often associated with the clipped accents and refined behaviours of costume drama, this impactful poster reminds us that it was a brutal time for many. It’s the work of Montreal agency Bleublancrouge, with illustration by Yeaaah Studio.
06. Ford
WPP makes a point using pointillism in this ad for Ford
This arresting, although somewhat headache inducing ad for Ford, comes with the tagline ‘Don’t Emoji and Drive’. Using a very 2010s form of pointillism by creating an illustration from individual emojis, the ad was produced by BlueHive, the bespoke WPP agency for Ford's advertising in Italy, with illustration created by Illusion.
07. Skullcandy
This attention grabbing illustration for Skullcandy keeps the brand looking cool
Now here’s an illustration that gets your attention. It was created for Skullcandy, a headphone brand keen to appear on the cutting edge, and this stunning print ad certainly does that. It’s the work of J. Walter Thompson Shanghai, and the illustration was created by Visionary Bangkok.
08. SPCA
This ad for a cat protection society makes brilliant use of a tarot card motif
Playing on the idea of tarot cards, this lovely ad for the Society for the Protection of Cats sells its message without needing to get overly cutesy or sentimental. It was produced by Havas Suisse, with illustration by Yeaaah Studio.
Vintage illustration mixes nostalgia with parody in this gorgeous print ad for Evans Cycles. It’s the creation of London agency Antidote and the illustrator was Bruce Emmett.
10. Behance
A creative ad for a creative community
Owned by Adobe, Behance is a global portfolio sharing social network for creatives of all types. But it’s not just online: the company also brings together community members and top artists to carry out portfolio reviews in person. This ad to promote its Brazilian event features a stunning mixed media collage created by art director, illustrator and photographer Antonio Rodrigues Jr.
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Tom May is an award-winning journalist and editor specialising in design, photography and technology. Author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. Today, he is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq and its sister sites Digital Camera World, T3.com and Tech Radar. He also writes for Creative Boom and works on content marketing projects.
