20 inspiring examples of vintage posters

Want to create a striking poster design? Take a look at these beautiful vintage designs to inspire you...

In the 1870s, the world of vintage advertising posters began. Having previously only been able to print black and white text, the introduction of French artist Jules Cheret's 'three stone lithographic printing process' meant artists all over the world could develop marketing ideas into striking, colourful poster art. Here are 20 top examples of such vintage poster designs to inspire you. Enjoy!

01. TWA

Artist David Klein used bright colours and abstract styles in many of his poster designs for TWA

American artist David Klein designed and illustrated dozens of posters for Howard Hughes’ Trans World Airlines (TWA) during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1957, this stunning TWA poster of New York City became part of the permanent collection of the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in NYC. In many of Klein's designs, he used bright colours and shapes in an abstract style to depict famous landmarks and scenes of cities around the world. Best known for his influential work in the field of travel advertising, Klein's iconic images are much imitated.

02. Biere Allary

Original French advertising by artist Jean D'ylen

Created in 1928, Jean D'ylen was the artist behind this beautiful Art Deco poster design. Influenced heavily Italian poster art designer Leonetto Cappiello, much of D'ylen's work features large colourful images on a contsrasting background, this striking beer poster being a prime example.

03. Harper's

This is just one of 75 poster designs Edward Penfield illustrated for Harper's Magazine during the late 1800s

It's impossible to talk about American poster design without mentioning graphic artist Edward Penfield. Often referred to as a master of graphic design, it was during a school exhibition that Penfield's work was first noticed by the art editor of Harper's Magazine, the company that he went go on to create no less than 75 poster designs for.

04. Tintin Orange

Tintin and Snowy share a refreshing bottle of orange in this vibrant poster design by Raymond Savignac

In 1962, illustrator of the Tintin comics, Georges Remi aka Hergé, collaborated with French graphic artist Raymond Savignac on this vibrant print advertising the Tintin orange soft drink. This is just one of many striking poster by Savignac, the talented artist also creating various designs for Pepsi and Perrier during his career.

05. Austria

Kosel's distinctive travel posters are instantly recogniseable as the Austrian artist's work

Born in 1896, Hermann Kosel studied at Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and began his artistic career as a portrait painter at the age of 24. For a time, his work involved creating commercial posters for various travel companies, including this one, which highlights the beauty and culture of Austria perfectly.

06. Absinthe Robette

Vintage posters — Belgian posterist Henri Privat-Livemont created this beautiful Art Nouveau print for Absinthe in 1896

In the late 19th Century, the popularity of Absinthe coincided with the increase of large lithographic advertising posters as a commercial and artistic medium. Some of the greatest artists of that period created posters for the alcoholic beverage, including Belgian posterist Henri Privat-Livemont, who illustrated this iconic Art Nouveau Absinthe Robette image in 1895.

07. Parapluie-Revel

Vintage poster — Poster artist Leonetto Cappiello created nearly 1,000 pieces during the early 1900s

Poster artist Leonetto Cappiello became a household name in the early 1900s after producing nearly 1,000 eye-catching advertisements for various campaigns. Probably his most famous is this beautiful Parapluie-Revel poster. The design features three figures blown about by a storm while the Revel umbrellas stand firm.

08. Monaco 75

This striking design for the 1975 Monaco Grand Prix was created by talented artist Michael Turner. With minimal type, Turner let his illustration do all the talking, using a vibrant and eye-catching colour palette, the car takes centre stage with the beautiful destination of Monaco in the background.

09. Tomorrowland

Disneyland has been using silk-screen posters since 1956 to give visitors a taste of the attractions inside. And the majority of the most brilliant designs advertised the sci-fi rides of Tomorrowland. This Space Station X-1 graced the park's walls in the late 1950s, the ride taking visitors to view a large painted panorama of the continent via a rotating platform.

10. Perrier Girl

In 1936, artist Jean Dommergue created this beautiful illustration as the first advert for bottled mineral water Perrier to feature the Perrier Girl. This is just one of many beautiful campaigns by the young, dynamic and attractive brand, with others created by famous artists including Andy Warhol and Jean-Paul Goude.

11. Normandie

A M Cassandre's image of ocean liner Normandie has become an iconic image of 20th Century Art Deco design

Ukranian French painter and poster artist Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron Cassandre created this image to promote travel on the famous ocean liner Normandie. The design has since become an icon of 20th Century Art Deco and Modernist poster design. The original print featured the name of the ship underneath it, however, a few rare variants can be found with with the type replaced with New York (as above).

12. Austin Reed

British designer Tom Purvis created many beautiful poster designs for clothing store Austin Reed during the 1930s

Regarded by many as one of the finest commercial artists of the twentieth century, British artist Tom Purvis created countless poster designs during the 1930s. One of this most famous projects was a campaign for retailer Austin Reed. For years, many of his beautiful poster designs graced the walls of the flagship clothing store in London's Regent Street.

13. Bitter Campari

Italian artist Leonetto Cappiello drew bold figures popping out of black backgrounds for many of the campaigns he worked on, including this one for Campari

Italian painter and art designer Leonetto Cappiello designed this beautiful Bitter Campari poster in 1921. Cappiello's work caught people's attention immediately, with many of his creations featuring bold figures popping out of black backgrounds, a startling contrast to the posters seen up until that point. He is now often referred to as 'the father of modern advertising' because of his innovation in poster design.

14. Canadian Pacific Railway

Peter Ewart's created 24 gorgeous poster designs during his 17-year working relationship with Canadian Pacific

This iconic design was part of a campaign for Canadian Pacific Railway during the 1940s and '50s. The series was created by Canadian artist Peter Ewart, who during his commercial career was inspired by the likes of A M Cassandre and Tom Purvis. His dynamic designs and illustrations caught the eye of many, and lead to 17-year relationship with Canadian Pacific in which Ewart designed 24 posters and two serigraphic prints for the company.

15. New York's World Fair

Austrian designer Joseph Binder created this beautiful stylised version of a better world of tomorrow

Austrian-born designer Joseph Binder is the man behind this beautiful poster design for the 1939 New York World's Fair. Titled 'Building The World of Tomorrow', the fair's main purpose was to try and lift the spirits of the US following the height of the Great Depression and drive much-needed business to New York City. It also signified a time when a new belief in science and technology provide hope and a much-needed antidote to the hopelessness and confusion of the times. Binder's brilliant design offered a stylised version of that better world of tomorrow.

16. Eldorado

French painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec uses simple outlines and solid blocks of colour in this eye-catching design

Advertising singer Aristide Bruant's café-cabaret at the Eldorado on Boulevard de Strasbourg in Paris, this poster was designed by famous French painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892. Having previously created a similar design for Bruant's debut at the Ambassadors club, Lautrec recognised the power of a brand and simply reversed the image of the singer, shown here as a powerful figure. The eye-catching illustration makes an impact with simple outlines and its palette, which comprises solid blocks of five colours.

17. Design for Living

As well as his famous TWA series, David Klein also created various posters for his local theatre in Brooklyn

In addition to his famous TWA series, American poster artist David Klein also created various posters for his local theatre The Brooklyn Heights Players during the 1950s and 60s. This one for the production of Noel Coward's play Design for Living follows true Klein style, featuring bright colours and geometric shapes.

18. A Willette exposition

This is just one of hundreds of poster designs from famous French artist Jules Cheret

Jules Chéret was a French poster illustrator and graphic designer, who's often referred to as 'the father of the modern poster'. During his career, he created hundreds of posters for cabarets, theatres, well known brands, and expositions, including this one for artist A Willette. Chéret composition shows careful consideration, this piece drawing the eye to the dominating central figure, also using prominent hand-lettered titles, areas of glowing colour and a simple background.

19. Orangina

Graphic artist Bernard Villemot is most known for his humorous poster designs for soft drink Orangina

This striking Orangina poster was created by graphic artist Bernard Villemot, who also created just as memorable designs for Bally and Perrier. Villemot used simple, elegant lines and bold colours to produce his humorous, contemporary designs. Since his death, his iconic images have become increasingly sought after by vintage poster collectors.

20. Moulin Rouge

French artist Toulouse-Lautrec captured Moulin Rouge characters perfectly in this poster design

This poster design for the Moulin Rouge is another by French artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. When the cabaret opened, Lautrec was commissioned to create a series of posters, with this design being one of his most well known. The piece features images of Moulin Rouge dancer La Goulue and her partner Valentin le Desosse. Lautrec captured La Goulue's provocative kicks and Valentin's lanky frame perfectly in this design.

Creative Ideas

Thursday, 5 September 2013