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# How to create visual ads that require almost no copy
- URL: https://www.unbore.com/how-to-create-visual-ads-that-require-almost-no-copy/
- Published: 2026-03-04T21:02:08.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-10T17:44:41.000Z
- Description: Three techniques I use to create engaging ads with almost no copy.
- Author: Shlomo Genchin
- Tags: Art Direction

## Visual Metaphors

Highlight the product’s benefit by showing something different with the same quality.

![Cadillac SRX print ad comparing the car's quiet interior to a grand library filled with antique books](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/hUxRRHgzWde8vucB6UzR1X.jpeg)

Small caption: "Cadilac. Library-quiet interior."

###  Creative recipe

Let’s try this with Fisherman’s Friend mint lozenges:

1) Pick an adjective that describes the product. For example, “strong.”

2) Find other things that are strong.

🤖 GPT prompt: *“List 20 things that are strong. Include examples from pop culture, daily life, nature, and more.”*

🛠️ Tool: [ThingsDB](https://thingdb.io/?ref=unbore.com) – a website that compiles examples of things that are “fast,” “slow,” “quiet,” and dozens of other adjectives.

3) Combine the product and the visual representation of that strong thing:

![Fisherman's Friend ad featuring an origami rhinoceros folded from the brand's cough drop wrapper with the tagline Be Warned](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/tAb3aSV3T4R2aePdK9eLNw.jpeg)

## Visual Analogies

Compare the product with something unexpected to explain the benefit. Great for tech products.

![Two Smart car print ads showing cleverly dysfunctional objects — a tilted wine glass and a chained fork — with the tagline Design is nothing if it's not smart](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/2CbUxyGPSLbLRDp3ptiKck-768x528.jpeg)

Small caption: "Design is nothing if it’s not smart."

Here’s an example that my [art director](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nithikaromy/?originalSubdomain=de&ref=unbore.com) and I created for Demoleap, an AI assistant for salespeople:

###  Creative recipe

 1) Benefit

Demoleap gives you an unfair advantage, setting you apart from other sales reps.

2) Analogy

We listed other situations in which people have an unfair advantage:

• Having a time machine during a history quiz  
• Wearing an invisibility cloak in a hide-and-seek game  
• Riding a jet ski in a swimming competition

🤖 Prompt: *“Create 10 analogies for \[product benefit\].”*

🛠️ Tool: [Analogenie](https://preview.convertkit-mail2.com/click/dpheh0hzhm/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmFsb2dlbmllLmNvbS8=?ref=unbore.com) – AI analogy generator.

3) Visual

We picked the one that would make the clearest and most eye-catching visual and photoshopped it.

![Demoleap LinkedIn sponsored ad comparing sales reps using their AI tool to a jet ski rider racing past swimmers in a pool](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/wFRHeZG8vhBp39gp8wF95R.jpg)

## Visual Similes

Combine your product with a universally known symbol or visual.

![Side-by-side comparison of a cinematic McDonald's ad and an Ogalo flame grilled chicken ad, both using dramatic close-up photography with minimal copy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/vpSrVL2Ed6o53Dpr3bKGQm.jpeg)

Small caption (right): "Flame grilled chicken"

###  Creative recipe

1) What’s your main message?

Example: Having a KitKat is a great opportunity to take a break. 

2) Find symbols and visuals related to “break,” “pause,” “stop,” etc. 

🛠️ Tool: [TheNounProject ](https://thenounproject.com/search/icons/?q=pause&ref=unbore.com)– find icons and symbols.

3) Look at your product from different angles – from above, below, close up, upside down, etc. 

4) Connect the product and the symbol or image that you’ve found:

![Minimalist KitKat ad showing two chocolate fingers arranged as a pause symbol with the tagline Have a break Have a KitKat](https://storage.ghost.io/c/56/7c/567cd7c2-834c-4b5b-a024-a798f2ebbdf8/content/images/2026/03/2TZQfC2VddwQtDTPJh1idM.jpeg)