David Bell, an executive creative director at Mercerbell, shares key insights on creative design and art direction. He emphasizes the importance of seeking inspiration everywhere, maintaining simplicity in design, and the significance of careful presentation in showcasing work. Bell also advises adapting presentations for the audience and fostering creativity through exploration and collaboration.

1. David Bell
Executive Creative Director - MercerBell

11. 3. Be a
creative
sponge
Never stop
feeding your mind

12. www.directnewideas.com

13. www.
creativity-online.com

14. 4. Look beyond your screens
for inspiration

16. Look up for
inspiration
This old sign is still live
today on Sydney’s busiest
shopping mall.

17. And look
down for
inspiration

18. Look
inside for
inspiration

19. 5. Inspiration
is all around
you
Write it down,
sketch it,
snap or scan it

20. 6.Always
have the
product on
your desk

22. 7.Ever wondered why
artists have so
many different
brushes?

23. Free your thinking.
If you get stuck,
then work with a
different pen

24. This is
awesome
This is tricky
This is shit
I’m shit
This might be

25. 8 . S i m p l e i s a l w a y s b e s t .

26. 8 . S i m p l e i s a l w a y s b e s t .

39. And don’t fear white space

43. If the idea has
an unreal twist,
use illustration
to help bring it
to life

46. 12. Reflect
your ideas

50. 13. Is
there an
idea in
the logo?

53. Or on the
bottle?

56. 14. Visualise
the benefit

60. 15. A quick and easy
way to grab attention
Flip the image

66. 16. Maintain
eye contact

67. Sharbat Gula was the subject of Steve McCurry's "Afghan Girl."

75. Alberto Korda
Havana 5 March 1960

76. 18. Select your shots carefully

78. And crop
with care

80. 19.Avoid
visual
cliches

84. The exception

85. Versatility

88. The exception

89. Family

94. The exception

95. 20 more visual cliches to avoid

96. 20. Opposites always
attract attention

97. Helvetica

100. 21.Grids
are good
The Golden
Section and
the theory of
composition

101. 1505

102. 2014

105. 22.Designing by
the rule of thirds

108. 23.“If it looks right,
it is right”Mr. Robert Waters
My High School Art Teacher

109. Try another view

112. goodtypography.tumblr.com/archive#

114. 25.Use visual type

118. 26.Don’t annoy
your Copywriter
(or the reader)

119. If your poor design
reduces readability,
then expect the
worst to happen.

121. www.stcsig.org/mgt/docs/readability-kiss.pdf

122. 27. When to let
the headline
do the talking

126. 28. Colour
The Art
Director’s
secret weapon

127. desire

129. motion

131. emotion

134. 29. Simple ideas
in living colour

139. 30.Take
the time
to learn
origami

140. www.adsoftheworld.com/media/dm/cocacola_fm_magazine_amplifier

152. 32.What to show Don

153. 1. Be on time. Be enthusiastic, positive and be yourself.
Visit Don’s site and have three questions to ask him about the job.
2. Begin with a great idea.
And end with an even better one.
3. Turn good ideas, into great campaigns.
4. BE BRUTAL:
Three great ideas, always beats
thirty three average ones.

154. 5. Remember you’re an Art Director,
so presentation is extremely important
Portfolio Vs iBook Vs iPad?
(Don was a copywriter,
so always consider your
audience carefully)

155. 6. Show a wide range of work across multiple channels,
products and brands
7. Always adapt your book for your audience and rehearse
your presentation.
8. Show at least one fully Art Directed campaign.
9. Talk about your creative interests
outside of advertising.
10. Listen carefully to all the feedback and
act on the advice that feels right for you.

156. 33. Only
work with
the best

158. David Bell
Executive Creative Director - MercerBell

159. www.slideshare.net/Reosurfer/33-things-i-know-about-art-direction
See the first
‘33 things...’
presentation on
slideshare.