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InspirationGraphic Design

New book celebrates the design behind American advertising of the 1950s

This series of posters collated by artist and designer Anne Stilper has that special kind of nostalgia solely found in American advertising of the 1950s. Think a little bit Mad Men with a sprinkling of Twin Peaks.

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Vintage travel poster for Puerto Rico featuring tropical plants, blue agave, a sailing boat and colonial architecture, with text reading "Discover Puerto Rico U.S.A. Where the Americas Meet

After being interested in colour concepts and "reducing things", Anne initiated a project on Kickstarter to bring her idea of creating a collation of advertising from the US during the 1950s to life.

Soon after launch, the project became Kickstarter Team Favourite, and Anne reached her goal after just four days. She explains: "We have researched such a lot of stunning material, that has never been shown on any poster platform, as far as we know.

"There are such a lot of graphic and typographic designs that match the lifestyle and vintage design still popular today. We feel this will provide inspiration for every designer." Support the project here.

Open book showing vintage 1950s American advertising designs with geometric typography and illustrated figures on a light blue desk surface with glasses and magazines nearby
Two vintage 1950s Rural Electrification Administration posters featuring collaged figures against geometric backgrounds in orange and blue, displayed on a light blue wooden surface alongside glasses and design materials
Open book displaying four vintage 1950s American advertising posters featuring stylised imagery of an exhibition, winter scene, skier and story hour club
Dark poster for Exhibition of Housing Photographs produced by Federal Art Project, featuring geometric line art of a building against a white brick wall above a desk with camera and notebook
Open book displaying colourful 1950s American advertising posters and illustrations with vintage typography and design elements on a wooden surface
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