Today, it's pretty rare for a car advertisement to make consumers think twice, what with their swooping scenic shots, sickly slick shining decors and generic voice-overs, but 'Automobile Design Graphics' shows a time when auto ads were legitimate works of art. The book, authored by Jim Donnelly, gathers images from brochures throughout the 20th century, beginning in the early 20s.
The big difference between the images in Automobile Design Graphics' pages and today's car ads, even the ones that aren't on TV, is that from the 20s through the 60s, most of the pictures were drawn by hand. This gave artists the ability to accentuate exactly the aspects of the image that they found most important, ultimately infusing the ads with personality that is devoid from the modern equivalents.
Analyzing and appreciating these old-fashioned ads can help current advertisers and designers to better market cars today.
Retro Automobile Ad Collections
'Automobile Design Graphics' Gathers Artful 20th Century Brochures
Trend Themes
1. Artful Advertisements - Capitalizing on the uniqueness of hand-drawn designs in advertisements can help create a more engaging marketing experience for the consumer.
2. Retro Design Revival - Brands could offer throwback designs inspired by vintage auto ads, capitalizing on nostalgia and a market for retro products.
3. Cost-effective Ad Campaigns - Utilizing hand-drawn advertisement designs can be less expensive than the use of more modern production methods like photography and CGI.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - Ad agencies and designers can use the inspiration of vintage auto ads to create more visually appealing and effective campaigns for their clients.
2. Automotive - By bringing a vintage twist to their branding, automotive companies can appeal to consumers who value unique and nostalgic designs.
3. Publishing - The success of 'Automobile Design Graphics' shows that there is a market for books that showcase vintage advertisements and design, suggesting opportunities for publishers to create similar content.