Creative print advertising has the power to influence, inspire and even change lives. Whether it’s the industry shifting Volkswagen campaigns of the early 1960s or the HIV awareness campaign of the 1980s, creativity and imagination are the main driving force behind every successful piece of print advertising. Here we celebrate the work of the Art Directors, Graphic Designers and Copywriters who are at the forefront of current trends, with a brief look at some of today’s most creative and extraordinary print adverts.

The simplest concepts are often the most effective – and as any Copywriter will tell you, the hardest to come up with. This print advert for high-end stereo company Bose combines clarity of thinking with a refreshingly simple artistic execution, and was unsurprisingly awarded a pencil in 2011 at the coveted D&AD awards. Note the absence of copy; when you have visuals this strong there’s no real need for words.

A typographical approach that is at once beautiful, creative and unforgettable. By placing the boldly coloured lettering on a stark black background this print advertisement, part of the acclaimed Ogilvy and Mather campaign for American Express, displays ingenuity, style and iconoclasm in abundance.

This conceptual treatment for an Irish broadband supplier communicates the humour, personality and practicality of the brand. The photographic style is both domestic and stylish, and the unexpected twist of using underwear to promote what is essentially a technology service serves to demystify the product and highlight the consumer benefits in one fell swoop.

A million miles away from the homespun feel of the previous advert, this campaign for Nissan forklifts is grandiose, cinematic and full of blockbuster action. With its attention to detail and larger-than-life theme one could almost confuse it with a real movie poster. Highly appropriate considering the blurring of fantasy and reality entirely underpins the campaign.

This beautifully finished press advert for a glasses and eyewear provider is so wonderfully tactile it’s hard to believe it’s been printed onto paper. It combines texture, retro-illustration and a cheeky headline to create an extraordinary press advertising campaign that’s like nothing seen before in this traditionally conservative industry sector.

The use of thermal imaging to highlight the effects of global warming makes this Oxfam campaign striking, upsetting and strangely beautiful all at the same time. From the tender embrace to the blue and orange complementary colour clash, the artwork is imbued with a sense of urgency, grace and elegance.

Despite its sombre message, this Christmas anti drink-driving campaign displays a stunning sensitivity and use of colour. The atmospherically dark night-sky is the perfect foil for the vibrant turquoise of the fallen tree decoration – subtly conveying the message that even at the most festive time of year disaster can hit.

The joys of hearing simple sounds such as rustling paper, trickling water and life’s rich acoustic landscape form the premise of this press advertising campaign for the Phonak Spice Generation hearing aid. The striking visuals, or ‘Scultumes’ as the creative team responsible refer to them, are used to express the beauty of these sounds and the delight they can bring when listened to once again by the hearing impaired.