THE ART DIRECTION BOOK

D&AD asked 28 of the world's top art directors to talk about their craft. They published the results and examples of their work in this book.

The examples of work included aren’t particularly inspiring as they do look a bit dated (the book was published in 1996), but the advice given is still very relevant.

The three pieces of advice that recur throughout the book are: 1. If you want to be the best work with the best. 2. Keep it simple; don’t be distracted by fads and fashions. 3. Get a life outside art direction.

Other pieces of great advice include:

“Even the most radical work should be easily justified”

“It is easy to do something that looks different or something that looks relevant. Doing both is the tricky bit.”

“If you know what you’re doing you can’t be doing anything original”

“It’s more difficult being wrong than right.
If you want to be right, just do it the way everyone else does.
Doing it differently means listening.
The cleaner can improve your ad.
The most junior account handler can.
Your aunt can.”