If you’re reading this, we can likely guess why: You’re charged with creating an advertisement for one of your clients, and either this is new territory for you, or you just simply don’t know where to go with the design project. Either way, if you’re needing a few pointers on how to best create an advertisement for one of your clients, you’ve come to the right place: We’ll be handing out some of our choice pointers below, helping you create a piece that the client will, and that will move more merchandise than the Jonas Brothers. So, without further ado, head on down below the break!

  1. Know the Target Audience: First and foremost, you’re going to want to know just who your advert is aimed at. For instance, will this be a print piece aimed at passersby on the street? Or will this be a digital production favored on social media sites? You’ll want to have these details held within your mind, but you’ll also want to be sure you know what kind of preferences this group enjoys. Are you catering to high-class fashion, or to frugal minded cheapskates? Either of these could drastically change the way you pitch the message within the design. Which of course brings us to the next point:
  2. Know the Message: If the client you’re producing the advert for has asked you to create them this piece, that means they have something they would like to share with the world. This is what we call a message. This message could be as simple as “Drink more Ovaltine,” or as complex as changing the feel of the business or product from the ground-up. Either way, you’ll want to keep this message in your mind at all times as you design. Every decision you make will need to reinforce this message in a way that’s not too pushy, but just subtle enough to be remembered.
  3. Be Catchy: On that note, try to be as original and catchy as you possibly can. Some of the best advertisements in history were ground breaking in the way they were presented. You’ll want to do the same if you can, creating a piece that sticks with the viewer long after they’ve stopped looking at the piece. You’ve only got a few seconds to create this lasting appeal, after all.