10 Clever and Effective Series of Advertisements
Companies spend thousands upon thousands of dollars every year in advertisement. Some companies even spend millions of dollars. Print advertisements take up a large portion of those advertising dollars.
There are different types of advertising techniques that these companies use in their campaigns. One such technique is to use a series of advertisements to promote a particular product or brand. Today, we will look at 10 clever and effective series of advertisements as well as the reason why I chose to include each of them.
A Closer Look at the Details
When I compiled these advertisements, I thoroughly observed them and looked for similarities in styles and presentation. I ran across a few common techniques that these ads employ in their designs. I would like to point them out to you.
- The majority of these ads are minimalistic. They are not overly busy or distracting.
- Most of the ads include one witty and smart tag-line.
- These ads are well thought out and use one clever image or photo-manipulation that will draw your attention.
- Most of the ads don’t throw their company logo in your face. Instead, they put it subtly in a corner where it doesn’t draw too much attention.
- These ads are all effective by themselves and they work even better when viewed along with the other ads that’s part of the series.
BMW
Caption: That’s why we don’t have front-wheel drives.
These series of ads are very clever. The caption fits the images perfectly. By the way, the photo-manipulation is precise. This is just a unique way of conveying the tag-line.
Coca Cola
Caption: Take the good side.
These ads all play off of the tagline, "Take the good side." Witty copy-writing is the main focus of these ads. These ads are simple but very effective in grabbing the reader’s attention.



John Deere
These eye-catching ads are sure to grab your attention. The illustrations along with the bold statements go together perfectly. These are solid ads that are very appropriate for John Deere’s target audience.
Red Cross
There’s something about these simple and minimalistic ads that just attracts attention. Red Cross hits the jackpot with this advertising campaign. I really like the way they labeled their message by using labels. :)
Skinny Water
Caption: Incredibly light.
Another minimalistic ad that conveys its message with a simple tag-line and clever photo-manipulation. It seems like minimalistic is the style that most companies are going for in their advertisements.
Drugs
These ads are very powerful. They draw attention even without using a slogan or phrase. The picture speaks for itself. Remember the old saying, "A Picture is worth a thousand words."
Greenpeace
Caption: Do you know what you eat?
I really like the way they portray danger by just using vegetables. This is yet another very minimalistic advertising campaign. The vignette background really ads a dramatic effect to these ads.
Red Wing Shoes
Caption: Make history.
Smart captions mixed with vintage pictures make these ads a real treat. By the way, the old, worn out images are perfect to use, since their tag-line is about making history.
Cheese Leadenhall
Caption: The place for cheese you can’t ignore.
Very well-thought out ads. The cheese with the mold on it combined with the gas masks make for some unforgettable series of advertisements.
Adidas
All Day I Dream About Sneakers was a global branding project created for Adidas Originals. The project brought to life the world’s most “original” range of sneakers, which we conceived, designed and directed into sculpted models. The full campaign extended into in-store posters, visual merchandising displays and a limited edition book.
These shoe ads are just two out of the many different variations that Adidas created. These unusual shoes definitely grab your attention the moment that you look at these posters. These unique shoe variations completely depicts their tag-lines, ‘Impossible Is Nothing’ and ‘Celebrate Originality’.
Which of these advertisements caught your attention? Which one is your favorite? What did you like about these ads? Do you think that using a series of advertisements works better than just one ad? Please let me know your thoughts. I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and criticisms so feel free to give us your two cents.
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DesignFellow
December 29th, 2009 4:39 amGood Inspiration!
Keep up!
:)
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Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:08 pmThanks Senthil!
Dany
December 29th, 2009 5:35 amBeautiful, thanks for sharing!
I also recommand this article: http://dyvantity.com/inspiration/unpublished-december-2009/
Regards!
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:09 pmI’m glad you liked it Dany. Thanks for leaving your first comment on Design Informer. Hopefully, you will be a regular here at DI. :)
Dany
January 1st, 2010 12:30 pmThanks Jad!
.-= Dany´s latest Blog Entry – Colgate: the only one who does not notice it is you =-.
Erik Ford
December 29th, 2009 5:42 amJad, These are great and there are quite a few I’ve never seen before. When I saw the post title, I thought for sure that you would have a few Absolut ads on the list. Maybe that would have been too obvious, but I have yet to see one of their ads that I did not absolutely love.
Like the examples you list in the post, Absolut continues to be clever in their delivery with witty one liners and great imagery (think about the first time you saw the ad for Absolut Citron with the orange peel in the shape of their bottle.)
I think, as designers (or in some cases, Photoshop Jedis), we get so enthralled by the tricks in our arsenal that we tend to lose focus on the objective: to effectively communicate a message. This list is a great reminder of how powerful “less” is within a design project.
.-= Erik Ford´s latest Blog Entry – Create a Filterable Portfolio Page in WordPress with jQuery =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:12 pmHaha, I actually thought of using their ads, but like you mentioned, they are too common and I have seen them in a lot of different posts already, so I decided to go with something different. Also, I could have added more, but I decided on 10 ads so I can add my commentary on each of them and so that each ad would get more focus rather than having a big list of 100.
Photoshop Jedi’s? I like that statement. :)
You’re absolutely right. “Less” is very powerful, especially when it comes to advertising.
Brandon Cox
December 29th, 2009 6:19 amI think you make an excellent point about the minimalism of these ads. Most small businesses don’t get it and still hit us with cheesy fireworks-like badges and loud ads, which I think get ignored. Awesome collection!
.-= Brandon Cox´s latest Blog Entry – brandonacox: How to Display Author’s Twitter and Facebook on the Profile Page http://ff.im/-dukjD =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:14 pmExcellent thought Brandon. I can’t count how many times I have seen these types of ads that you mentioned everywhere? They should definitely pay attention to what the successful companies are doing and model their ads after them. Obviously, the ads of these popular brands work. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
ungemeinfein
December 29th, 2009 6:46 amNice collection!
I really like the Greenpeace and the RedCross ones – awesome ideas!
.-= ungemeinfein´s latest Blog Entry – Weinachtsgrüße =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:15 pmThey are awesome indeed! I’m really glad you liked the collection.
Josh
December 29th, 2009 7:13 amThis is a magnificent post. I particularly like the advert on drugs. It is poignant and effective in conveying its message.
It is interesting how many of these adverts seem to impart the notion of “anticipation”. There is an underlying expectation on part of viewers, to read beneath the superficial exterior for the embedded “narrative” or message. The adverts seem to almost promise the viewer that apart from its sleek and minimal aesthetic look, there is something more significant at stake. Such advertisements are memorable because they are immersive – they draw the viewer’s attention right from the start.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:17 pmThat’s exactly right Josh! The reason why I chose these ads is because they instantly drew my attention. After seeing them, I wanted to see what it’s about so I took a closer look and read the tagline and looked at the company logo.
These ads definitely have that “curiosity” factor that makes us look a second time.
michael
December 29th, 2009 7:54 amVery nice post!
Thanks for that!
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:17 pmYou are very welcome Michael.
Mary Fran
December 29th, 2009 8:46 amThis was a fantastic collection, none of which I had seen before. I also was expecting an Absolut ad or at least an ad for some sort of adult beverage.
The BMW ads were my favorite as the visual message was aimed slightly higher intellectually.
And maybe it is because I am a girl, but I really don’t get the Adidas ones. They just seem like robots and not something that would encourage me to go buy. That said the visuals are excellent.
This is a very well thought out collection, I always have loved ads!
.-= Mary Fran´s latest Blog Entry – 2010: Design Manifesto =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:20 pmI appreciate your comments Mary.
Yes, the BMW ads are very clever. They are actually my favorite ads in the entire collection.
As far as the Adidas ads, what they were trying to convey was uniqueness. Their slogan for the campaign is “Celebrate Originality” and I think these shoes definitely fit that. I should have mentioned that these shoes are part of a collection of ads in a book.
Jeff Vitkun
December 29th, 2009 8:58 amI really like the simple ones. The BMW ads were great.
.-= Jeff Vitkun´s latest Blog Entry – Carl’s Jr. Makes Ads that are Sexy, Dumb =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:21 pmThanks Jeff. Simple=Effective when it comes to these ads.
honour chick
December 29th, 2009 9:15 amvery effective and creative indeed. thanks for sharing these. ;)
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Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:21 pmIt’s my pleasure. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Kawsar Ali | Desizn Tech
December 29th, 2009 9:40 amNice post Jad. The anit-drug is really effective and visual.
.-= Kawsar Ali | Desizn Tech´s latest Blog Entry – DesiznTech: RT @mj12982 Craft a Vintage Postage Stamp in Photoshop http://bit.ly/8yryRP =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:36 pmThat ad about drugs is definitely one that will grab your attention. Very powerful message!
Thank you Kawsar. :)
Deepu Balan
December 29th, 2009 10:52 amReally really amazing collection. Inspiring stuff. Appreciate your efforts on putting this together. Thanks for sharing.
-Deepu
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:22 pmI’m always glad when I put out an effort to showcase amazing content that people like you are willing to be appreciative and leave a comment. Thanks Deepu. :D
****Cute Web Designer****
December 29th, 2009 11:28 amGreat concept. Got it right away! Beautifully executed.
Thanks for sharing.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:23 pmYou are welcome. It’s great to know that you liked the concept.
JoAnn Donahue
December 29th, 2009 12:12 pmLove this post offers insight and inspiration!
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 12:24 pmThanks JoAnn. Haven’t seen you around Design Informer before?
I’m glad you received insight and inspiration from this post. Please visit Design Informer frequently for more insight and inspiration. Thanks again!
Milko Melian
December 29th, 2009 2:07 pmlove the BMW ads, very ingenious way to tight the headline with the image and the message, I did one similar for a billboard but it wasn’t as crafty as these. Exceptional collection Jad.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 5:54 pmThanks Milko. That’s what I love about those BMW ads. ;)
Lam Nguyen
December 29th, 2009 2:18 pmGreat inspiration!
Love the advertisement of Greenpeace. Very creative!
Keep it up Jad!
.-= Lam Nguyen´s latest Blog Entry – The Nice Way To Mention Your Recent Articles in WordPress SideBar =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 5:55 pmYou’re welcome Lam. Indeed, those Greenpeace ads are very creative. I love how they conveyed their message with those vegetables. :)
Iniwoo
December 29th, 2009 2:25 pmGreat collection, greenpeace looks nice ;)
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 5:55 pmThanks! Lots of people seem to really like that one.
ryanMoultrup
December 29th, 2009 3:10 pmAs these ad prove, often times clever imagery can say a lot more than words. The Photoshop work on many of these ads is top notch. The perceived realism that some of the ads are able to portray really draw in your attention because our eyes tell us it looks real but our brains know that what we are viewing is not possible. When you are able to draw peoples attention in this manner it is easier to get you message across. A great example of this is the drug ads. With one word ‘drug’ you get the point of the ad. Yet you don’t look away right away. you are drawn into illusion allowing the message to sink in.
The hardest part of all this is simply coming up with the ideas.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 5:57 pmI stand with you on that Ryan.
The Photoshop manipulation on these ads are superb.
I agree. I can probably do the Photoshop work seen in these ads but never in a million years would I have been able to come up with these amazing ideas. :)
Inside the Webb
December 29th, 2009 6:24 pmYou’ve got a great collection here, thanks for sharing! I look forward to your future posts as I think you guys have a lot to offer here at Design Informer
.-= Inside the Webb´s latest Blog Entry – Inside the Webb is back with a New Design =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 29th, 2009 6:26 pmHey Jake, nice to hear from you again. Thanks for stopping by and dropping a comment.
I’m glad you like our blog. Keep up the great work with Inside the Webb as well. :)
Don Rogers - @creativelydone
December 29th, 2009 9:39 pmI like the Ads, especially the drug ads, great graphics. I do believe less is best using the image in conjunction with the right line in the right font. These were mostly spot on, but didn’t like the Skinny water as much, maybe the bottle should have been floating. My reason I liked the post was your narration between the different series, don’t see enough of that, well done.
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:34 pmThanks Don!
I try to include a narration on each ad to give my opinion and insight to why I chose that certain ad.
By the way, I thought the skinny water was very clever but subtle way to convey light and skinny! But thanks for sharing your opinion.
Scott Kearse
December 29th, 2009 9:48 pmVery useful information for any small startup. Thanks DesignInformer
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:36 pmI appreciate it Scott. It’s definitely a good learning point for start-up businesses that are delving into advertising. Learn from the pros!
Glad to have you here on Design Informer. Hope to see you here in the future. :)
Suhela
December 30th, 2009 12:25 amWOW!!! Really awesome collection…
Specially loved the Red Cross and Drugs ad…
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:37 pmThanks for sharing your favorite ads with us.
Vassilis Mastorostergios
December 30th, 2009 2:27 amBMW ones are really good, myself being a huge car fan I loved them.
Got a question though, Adidas really has shoes that look like those in the ads? *goes googling*
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Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:37 pmYes, it’s hard to believe that they are real, but Adidas did use those ads. :)
Alex Puig
December 30th, 2009 2:41 amGreat post and great ads.
My favorite perhaps is the one of the cheese. I love cheese (even when it stinks). But I love the contrast of the ad.
Alex
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:38 pmI love cheese as well. I like string cheese! :)
Definitely, contrast is another factor that should be considered when designing an ad.
Web Designer Chennai
December 30th, 2009 2:44 amAmazing collection….inspirational..many thanks
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:41 pmIt’s great to know that the post inspired you!
You are welcome!
Vanesa
December 30th, 2009 3:55 amExcellent colletion!! Great ideas…Thanks you for sharing!
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:42 pmI agree, these all are great ideas. I wish I would have thought of them first. :)
Ajay
December 30th, 2009 3:59 amGreat Collection! Thanks.
.-= Ajay´s latest Blog Entry – 20 Excellent PSD Files On DeviantART =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:42 pmYou’re very welcome Ajay.
Özgür Güneş
December 30th, 2009 4:08 amAll of these works are great. Thanks for the list. Copywriter of BMW and Drugs campaigns is a close friend of mine. I’m very proud of him again :)
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:43 pmThey are from the same copywriter? Wow! Thanks for leaving a comment here on Design Informer.
Gareth Coxon - Dot Design
December 30th, 2009 4:23 amSome great and simple examples here. Alot of it is in the photography as well as the design, great work.
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:44 pmThanks for stopping by Gareth. I am with you on the photography, most of these ads wouldn’t be all that great without the right photography and photo-manipulation.
loswl
December 30th, 2009 7:00 amLove these Ads, I can remember many times where a client has requested to “Make their Logo Bigger” and I am so happy that you had it on your list
“4. Most of the ads don’t throw their company logo in your face”
really kills a design, when that request comes in, sometimes I feel like sending them the “Make My Logo Bigger Cream” Advert.. http://www.makemylogobiggercream.com/
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:49 pmSo true Mark! I just had a request on a project today to make the logo bigger. :D
By the way, I absolutely love that infomercial/parody of the “Make My Logo Bigger Cream.”
It’s hilarious! The sad thing is that if there were such a cream, people would have bought it already.
Kevin
December 30th, 2009 10:53 amThe BMW ad looks great: awesome photo manipulations!
.-= Kevin´s latest Blog Entry – Beautiful Sun Ray Photography =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:46 pmYes it does. Good thing I included it because everyone seems to really like it. BTW, keep up the good work with Roxor.
Gaurav Nanda
December 30th, 2009 1:21 pmReally very creative ads.. you must check this
http://www.graphicdesignbay.com/inspiration/36-best-creative-and-some-clever-print-ads.html
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 3:44 pmThanks Guarav!
Francois Pham
December 30th, 2009 5:08 pmThis post is great !
My favourite ads are the drugs ads. The images are stronger than the words.
“A Picture is worth a thousand words.” as you quotes in the article.
Creative and inspirational.
Jad Limcaco
December 30th, 2009 5:22 pmThanks for sharing your opinion of the drug ad, Francois! It’s always good to see the reader leave comments after viewing the post.
I appreciate it! :)
gokhan yucel
December 31st, 2009 2:51 amhi there.
thanks for putting 2 of my works in the same post.
it was a great new year present :)
cheers…
Jad Limcaco
December 31st, 2009 4:02 amWOW! I didn’t even realize that the same artist made two of the ads. You are very talented.
BTW, the two ads that you made are actually my favorites, the BMW ad and the Drugs ad. Great job and I’m definitely looking forward to your future work.
Keep designing awesome stuff. :D
Acuity
December 31st, 2009 5:36 amGreat inspiration! Love the red wing series!
.-= Acuity´s latest Blog Entry – Factors To Consider When Pricing A Project – Part 2 =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 31st, 2009 6:59 amThanks Mel. Those vintage ads are definitely something different. :)
Bluefaqs
December 31st, 2009 5:54 amA unique collection of clever advertising. I don’t think I’ve seen any of these. Great job Jad!
.-= Bluefaqs´s latest Blog Entry – Characteristics Of A Professional Web Design =-.
Jad Limcaco
December 31st, 2009 7:04 amGlad I was able to show you some unique ads. I appreciate the compliments.
Mhaddy
December 31st, 2009 7:44 amThe BMW ads are clever indeed. /me <3 rear-wheel drive cars!
Jad Limcaco
December 31st, 2009 10:01 amThanks Mhaddy! I like that ad, and I love BMW’s so that ad is awesome!
CourtneyC
December 31st, 2009 9:05 amI like the John Deere ads – they’ve managed to be entertaining about a really un-entertaining product.
Jad Limcaco
December 31st, 2009 10:02 amThat’s true. Nobody in their right mind likes to mow lawns but John Deere makes it cool. :mrgreen:
zanzu
December 31st, 2009 12:14 pmI just love this trend in minimalism where in the subject is reduced to its necessary elements. There is a motto adopted by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “Less is More” while designer Buckminster Fuller adopted the motto “Doing more with less.”
I feel that Minimalist ads were created without much effort. They are usually quick and easy to get. They minimize visual clutter. The signature of a minimal advertisement is the use of few elements, single color and handful of words to deliver a simple yet witty idea….such as “Greenpeace.”
Thanks Jad for sharing with us this brilliant ads. I really enjoyed them.
Jad Limcaco
January 1st, 2010 2:54 amBrilliant commentary on minimalism Zanzu.
While it does seem that way, I don’t think that is true. Minimalism does convey design that looks like it was done very easily, it is actually quite the contrary. It is very difficult to pull of a successful minimalistic design.
Thanks Zanzu! ;)
Dhaval Shah
December 31st, 2009 12:16 pmRed Cross, Drugs, Greenpeace and of course Adidas!!
Awesome collection!!!
Jad Limcaco
January 1st, 2010 2:55 amI appreciate you letting us know which ads were your favorites. Thanks!
twe4ked
December 31st, 2009 7:11 pmLoved the coke ones, thanks Jad :)
Jad Limcaco
January 1st, 2010 2:56 amYes, witty copy-writing on those Coke ads.
StudioJones
January 3rd, 2010 8:36 pmFantastic collection di. We sometimes have to fight the urge to “overdesign” everything and it’s even harder to get clients to sign-off on simple but effective concepts! Thanks for sharing – I’m going to share this with my next class.
Jad Limcaco
January 4th, 2010 10:36 pmThat’s so true. The problem is most clients don’t have a clue about what good design is and what works, that’s why they want cluttered, visually distracting ads. What we can do is point them to some successful advertisements and explain to our clients why they were so successful. :)
Thanks for the comment!
James Costa
January 4th, 2010 7:23 pmI find the ads that get to me most are those that make me laugh or look at things in a different way. Ones that have catchy slogans are also amazing… A lot of ads are trying to be catchy with looks that are overwhelming, but I find those are the ones I don’t remember.
Cheers!
.-= James Costa´s latest Blog Entry – “Sunday Special” Round-Up V =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 4th, 2010 10:37 pmThat’s true James. I think there’s something about funny advertisements that we can remember.
I know for a fact that I can still remember clever and funny TV advertisements form 5 years ago.
Nicole
January 7th, 2010 3:25 amso true.. especially the minimalistic part: “ONE clever image or photo-manipulation”. I better write that on a note and tape it right away on the top corner of my laptop frame.. ;)
.-= Nicole´s latest Blog Entry – Design #7: =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 7th, 2010 1:26 pmThat’s great, my quote made it to your laptop’s corner. :)
Laurent JOUVIN
January 11th, 2010 1:11 pmI love minimalism, but I really don’t care for the BMW concept at all. It does nothing to me for some reason. The rest of the campaigns however, I love. I will quote Zanzu’s comment from above, who said “Less is more”. Minimalism is a powerful art, but it is not as easy as people may think. You must have a great idea and solid concept to pull it off.
Jad Limcaco
January 11th, 2010 1:17 pmI think that the BMW ads appeal more to men. :)
Anyway, I agree with you that it is really hard to pull of a minimalist design but once you do, then it’s a thing of beauty.
Jani
March 4th, 2010 4:43 pmAwesome collection. The interesting part is that you included all the information also and did not post just the ads.
Thanks :)
.-= Jani´s latest Blog Entry – How to disable text selection like this site? =-.
Jays
May 24th, 2011 3:10 pmWonderful Collection :)