In a world that is driven by business vision and individualism, advertisement has become a sure way to achieve maximum coverage and publicity. Arguably though, out of all the viable options that people and businesses can employ, it's the common everyday poster that still packs the biggest punch.

It’s simple, unchanged design, which has spanned generations, is a recognisable marker within our society and culture.

The power of posters appears to be fairly unshakeable, with many modern day examples taking ideas and paying homage to images of a bygone age. Take for example the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' craze that is still in full swing, albeit in a steady decline. What has become a household quote and image, adorning walls, t-shirts, and so much more, started out life as a motivational poster prior to the outbreak of World War II.

In 1939, the British government decided to put these posters into circulation in an attempt to raise morale after the news of mass air attacks reached the British public. Even though it was a morale boosting tool, they were only ever distributed in limited numbers, which is why, prior to the reboot of the image in the 2000s, many people hadn't already seen or heard the quote. Furthermore, despite the fact that it's original purpose is often forgotten or overlooked, the poster still has a powerful impact on society now, even though it's for an entirely different reason. The power of this poster has spanned the years and has become a post modernistic link to the past.

Equally powerful and just as memorable is the 'We Can Do It' World War II poster aimed at women. The vibrant colours and bold fonts capture the comic book/superhero style that heavily influenced this part of the 20th century. The image of this strong, powerful woman has inspired artists to re-work and re-capture the iconic stance, and has even triggered a parody of sorts amongst the gaming world due to the release of Mass Effect 3.

There are so many classical posters that we know and love, and many more we simply overlook, however, nothing can take away from the visual and inspirational impact these simple yet effective pieces of paper have. If you're keen to create a stir and design something just as influential, you can visit Instantprint to release your artistic flare.