Leonardo da Vinci once said: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”, and architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe adopted the motto “Less is more” to describe his extreme simplicity, by enlisting every element and detail to serve multiple visual and functional purposes (such as designing a floor to also serve as the radiator, or a massive fireplace to also house the bathroom).
Even after 500 years, Leonardo’s words are true and this rule is still widely used in visual communication design. It may sound a bit contradictory, but simple, creative ideas often require much more brain-power to create than the most complicated graphic design. And it always strikes you when something completely simple in visual advertising is capable of conveying so much more than you expect.
That’s why we’ve collected the most impactful adverts that do more with less. Using all the tricks up their sleeves, marketers and designers have created these clever adverts to catch their prospective clients’ eyes. What better way to do it than with visual metaphors that spark the imagination and occasionally give us a good chuckle to boot.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at 26 of the most creative examples of minimalist advertising, and afterwards, you can always leave a comment telling how much you liked our post!
1. Hut Weber: Hitler vs. Chaplin
"It's the hat " (Advertising Agency: Serviceplan Hamburg / München, Germany)
2. Playboy: 31 Anniversary Brasil
Agency: Neogama, Brasil
3. Strongermarriage.com: Me
"If you want a stronger marriage, work on it together." (Advertising Agency: Richter7, Salt Lake City, USA)
4. Adelaide Casino: Ladies Poker
"Thursday Nights in October at the Adelaide Casino. Ladies Poker" (Advertising Agency: Jamshop, Adelaide, Australia)
5. BBDO Central Asia: Numbers
Advertising Agency: BBDO Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
6. Lego: Imagine...
Advertising Agency: FCB, Johannesburg, South Africa
7. Tzomet Sfarim Bookstore: Faceabook
"Disconnect for a while. Read a book." (Advertising Agency: Brickman, Ramat Gan, Israel)
8. MTV Networks: Black Ribbon Michael Jackson
Advertising Agency: BBDO Düsseldorf, Germany
9. BMW: Spare Parts
"BWM. Use original parts. BMW. The ultimate driving machine." (Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, Oslo, Norway)
10. Venezia Cafe: Add Some Wi-Fi
"Add some Wifi to your morning/day/evening. Free wireless internet hotspot." (Advertising Agency: Utopium, Oradea, Romania)
11. McDonald's : Wi-Fries
Advertising Agency: DDB Sydney, Australia
Check out more of the best McDonald's adverts here too!
12. Jeternel Beauty Clinic
"Fast wrinkle removal" (Advertising Agency: Voskhod, Yekaterinburg, Russia)
13. Oogmerk Optician
"Get the respect you deserve" (Advertising Agency: LG&F, Brussels, Belgium)
14. Durex: XXL Man
Art Director: Moe Awsem
You can find plenty more funny Durex adverts here too!
15. Office Depot: Good Ad vs. Bad Ad
Advertising Agency: Gitam BBDO, Tel Aviv, Israel
16. Lego
Agency: Blattner Brunner, USA
17. Sandisk
"Micro 16 GB USB Flash Drive" (Advertising Agency: Nolin BBDO, Canada)
18. Orbit: Remote Car Starters
Advertising Agency: Bleublancrouge, Montreal, Canada
19. Hospital Aleman
"The best health plan for children." (Advertising Agency: Del Campo Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
20. Jeep: Husky & Camel
Advertising Agency: BBDO Proximity, Malaysia
21. VejaSaoPaulo.com.br: Weekend
"Your free time goes by fast. Make good use of it." (Advertising Agency: AlmapBBDO, Sao Paulo, Brazil)
22. Veet: Soap
"No hair is better" (Advertising Agency: EURO RSCG Spain)
23. Restaurant Mirador del Alto: Piano
"Music & Gastronomy" (Advertising Agency: Unitas/RNL, Santiago, Chile)
24. Haribo : Bears
Advertising Agency: mlkconcept, Inca, Spain
25. Coca-Cola Light: Lemon Peel
Advertising Agency: Publicis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
26. Durex: Cheaper
Advertising Agency: Espiral DP, Guayaquil, Ecuado
Brilliant Minimalist Print Ads (PART II)
