40 Vintage Advertisements for Design Inspiration
Published in GalleriesDesign inspiration can come from anywhere. Web designers tend to look for inspiration from the design of other websites, but there is a lot that can be gained by taking inspiration from a variety of different sources. Print design, advertisement design, packaging design, photography, architecture, and the list could go on.
In this post we’ll showcase 40 vintage/retro advertisements. The ads shown here represent a wide variety of different products, and they showcase different design styles as well.
International Harvester Refrigerator
Bank of America Traveler’s Checks
For more design inspiration please see:
- Design Inspiration: 35 Photo Manipulations
- Showcase of Beautiful Flyer Design
- Design Inspiration: Watercolor Effects
- Beautiful Christmas Wallpaper
- Design Inspiration: Text Art Showcase
17 Responses
I like the advertisements on soft drinks. is nice to see how the Coke over
the years to maintain the same graphics
A very fascinating and indeed inspirational showcase. It’s true that no matter what the medium whether its for web or print having a good idea and strong concept is what engages the viewer or user. Retro design is still very popular at the moment so this will prove to be a valuable resource for many designers I’m sure. I do particularly like the Natural Wonder advert, very eye catching (slightly surreal even) and gets across the message effectively. Great idea for a showcase, it’d be great to see other non web inspiration.
really useful thanks
I just love the vintage designs, they are so much fun!
These are great, I think advertisements like this would still be effective today. Love the retro design and the cartoon style images. Very inspiring, thanks for the post.
thanks. I love old ads.
Thanks for the inspiration! I guess these ads were picked from old copies of Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping or Better Homes and Gardens. I might rummage through my copies of old magazines collecting dust in the house!
Love love love this post! Big retro design fan and some of these oldies take the cake! The illustrative style is just something you dont see in today’s design / art worlds, well not in the masses!
The fashion, the messages/copy used & rustic look to most of the ads really is a style of its own.
Bring back retro I say!
I like all the advertisement designs. Its very nice to see how the Coke over
the years to maintain the same graphics
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
Thank you for sharing these, I actually have a collection of vintage ads. I’ve got the Chanel poster.
I wish advertising agencies would reintroduce beauty to their industry.
LOVE vintage ads, especially the really graphicy ones like Ortalion and Black & White Whiskey. Personally, I’d love to start a collection of vintage cosmetic and beauty ads!
Great & creative advertisements. Nice to see all designs. Yes, it is Very inspiring, thanks for the post and good work.
Hi. I like the advertisement of Pennsylvania Railroad. It was really so nice.
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Allen
nice post! it is great pleasure to visit your site. thanks!!
That dude in the HandiWrap ad is a bit creepy.
Loving the vintage style at the minute.. some awesome inspiration here!!