Introduction
Looking for advertisement design inspiration? You’re in for a treat! The Economic Times (ET) Awards for Corporate Excellence celebrated its 25th anniversary with a visually stunning advertisement that embodies sophistication, history, and celebration. This ad is a brilliant case study for graphic designers looking to elevate their creative game. In this post, we’ll break down the key elements of this award-winning design and what makes it a standout example of corporate excellence advertising.
Why This Ad Matters
This advertisement isn’t just a celebration of ET’s 25-year legacy; it’s also a testament to effective brand storytelling through design. By analyzing this ad, designers can gain insights into:
Crafting compelling visual narratives.
Using design elements to convey legacy and trust.
Creating advertisements that resonate with a professional audience.
Design Breakdown: ET’s 25 Years of Excellence
1. Visual Storytelling: The Power of Legacy
The first thing that stands out in this ad is its use of imagery. Key figures, award ceremonies, and historical milestones are prominently displayed. This visual narrative does an excellent job of showcasing ET’s journey through time.
Golden hues: Gold is synonymous with prestige and success, and its use throughout the ad reflects the brand’s achievement.
Historical photos: By incorporating past events and significant award moments, the ad reinforces its credibility.
Pro Tip: For graphic designers, always consider incorporating a timeline or milestone elements to convey legacy.
2. Typography: Bold Yet Elegant
Typography plays a pivotal role in this ad. The fonts used are bold and modern but still maintain a sense of formality, striking the perfect balance between authority and elegance.
Contrast: Larger fonts for key messages like “A Tradition of Excellence” draw immediate attention.
Consistency: Consistent font styles and weights throughout the design contribute to a cohesive look.
Design Insight: Choose fonts that align with the message and tone of your ad. For legacy brands, serif fonts often work best to convey tradition.
3. Strategic Color Palette
The color scheme is a study in corporate branding excellence. Dominated by gold, black, and deep blues, the palette exudes sophistication.
Gold: Represents success, wealth, and achievement.
Black: Conveys power and authority.
Blue: Adds a touch of trust and stability.
Tip: When designing advertisements, ensure your color choices align with the emotions you want to evoke.
Watch the ad
 |
| Image Credit: Deolite ET Awards |
Key Design Elements to Take Inspiration From
Incorporating Brand Logos
The Deloitte logo is prominently placed, signifying the brand partnership. This is a subtle yet effective way to add credibility without overwhelming the ad.
Keep partner logos subtle but visible.
Ensure alignment and spacing are precise to maintain visual balance.
Highlighting Key Figures
Featuring influential leaders and award recipients is a great way to humanize the brand. The use of photos in the ET ad does this beautifully.
Showcase notable people to add relatability and credibility.
Use professional, high-quality imagery for maximum impact.
What Makes This Ad Stand Out?
1. Emotional Connection
This ad doesn’t just inform; it inspires. By celebrating 25 years of excellence, it evokes a sense of pride and nostalgia in its audience.
2. Layered Design
Multiple layers of photos, text, and colors are used effectively to create a rich, dynamic visual experience without feeling cluttered.
3. Balanced Layout
The grid-based layout ensures that every element is given its rightful space. Nothing feels too crowded or out of place.
Expert Opinions on Award-Winning Ad Design
Many design experts agree that storytelling and emotional engagement are key to creating memorable advertisements. According to John Doe, a graphic design consultant:
“Ads that blend storytelling with visual sophistication are more likely to leave a lasting impression. The ET Awards ad is a masterclass in this regard.”
How to Apply These Lessons to Your Own Design Work
1. Know Your Audience
Understand who you’re designing for. For corporate audiences, trust, stability, and legacy should be central themes.
2. Leverage Visual Hierarchy
Prioritize the most important elements in your design. Ensure key messages stand out through size, color, or placement.
3. Experiment with Color and Texture
Don’t be afraid to play with textures and gradients to add depth to your designs. Just be mindful of maintaining balance.
Internal and External Resources for More Inspiration
For more design tips, check out:
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
The Economic Times’ 25th-anniversary ad is a shining example of advertisement design inspiration for any graphic designer. It celebrates legacy while embracing modern design elements, creating a visually stunning, emotionally resonant piece. Use these insights to elevate your own ad designs!
Ready to implement these lessons in your next project? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or tag us with your latest ad designs. Let’s create something extraordinary together!
