LONDON – The Gunn Report has released The Art of Illustration a compilation of 50 award-winning print campaigns from 21 different countries spanning 15 years that showcase the best of illustration.
“In the past, illustration was the norm. Advertising art in the 1880’s consisted mostly of engravings of products in black and white on wood. By 1900 advances in photo-engraving and printing made full-colour art feasible and advertising as an art form blossomed,” the Gunn Report said in a press release. “Now 90 percent of ads use photography, therefore the use of Illustration is already a way to be different or intrusive.”
“But, illustration, when used appropriately, becomes more than just an executional option. It becomes intrinsic to the creative idea. It can make comical ideas even funnier. It can make scary messages even scarier. It can make fantasy more fantastic,” the press release said.
The foreword to compilation was penned by legendary UK Art Director Neil Dawson.
“This selection of work uses illustration not for its own sake but because it is exactly the right medium and style for the message and brand. These ideas simply wouldn’t work with photography,” Dawson said.
He added, “Particular favorites of mine are Guinness Extra Cold (they’re funny and actually feel cold); the graphic simplicity and power of Chrysler Jeep; and also the upside down posters for Merrydown – the same principle in each, but every single one so different from the last, and every one a work of art.”
Dawson together with long-time creative partner Clive Pickering have recently set up their own creative agency, Dawson Pickering. Prior to that, Dawson founded BETC London where he was responsible for work such as Cockburn’s ‘Pronounce Responsibly’, Bacardi’s ‘Untameable’ and Cow & Gate’s ‘Feed Their Personalities’.
As Global Creative Director at DDB on the Philips account, Dawson won back to back Cannes Grand Prix for Carousel and Parallel Lines. On Volkswagen he (and Clive) created ‘Wedding’ for VW Surprisingly Ordinary Prices. This was the Gunn Report’s most awarded print ad in the world for over a decade.
The Gunn Report’s Art of Illustration show is now available to view exclusively on www.gunnreport.com.
