Westinghouse Brochure Inspirational Images

The Westinghouse Electric Corporation helped to build the electical infrastructure that is still used today in the United States. Founded by George Westinghouse, it's no wonder the company was so successful with engineers like Nikola Tesla and Bertha Lamme (the first American electical engineer).

Westinghouse didn't just stop and infrastructure products. They're also responsible for bringing early household appliances to post-war America.

In this inspirational post, discover the beautiful art and copy created by the Westinghouse creative team to help sell a Westinghouse washing machine.

Modern Marvels

It seems a bit absurd to us now that someone might not know what a washing machine is, but there was a time not too long ago when they didn't exist at all! This brochure from manufacturer Westinghouse is unique in that it is filled with beautiful illustrations featuring a simple two-color design scheme.

Spot illustrations from a Mid-Century washing machine brochure. Features two images of the same woman filling up the basin of the washing machine and preparing clothing to put in it. She is wearing a short sleeved dress and apron. The illustrations are black and white with blue accents for the water.

Spot illustrations from a Mid-Century washing machine brochure. There are two images, one a close up of a pair of hands holding clothing inside a washing machine and the other featuring a woman washing laundry in a sink. The illustrations are primarily black and white with blue accents for the water.

Selling An idea

More than the machine itself, brochures like this were designed to sell the idea of luxury and relaxation. An example is the image below which shows the housewife able to catch a few precious moments of rest in between tasks.

This illustration is particularly striking for its use of negative space to indicate light coming through the window.

An illustration from a Mid-Century washing machine brochure featuring a woman sitting in an armchair in a living room . She is working on a sewing project in front of a window which is shining light into the room. There is an entryway to her left which leads into the kitchen. A washing machine and sink can be seen near a window with drapery.

Keeping it simple

A problem to solve with these types of brochures is how to create enticing imagery while cutting down on expensive printing costs. The illustrator achieved this by the subtle use of line and halftone to make the best of a two-color design scheme.

You can achieve illustration effects like this with our DupliTone halftone brush collection.

A black and white Mid-Century illustration featuring a woman in a mid -length sleeve striped dress and two children (a boy and a girl) inside a kitchen. The boy is playing with a toy truck while the girl holds a basket of laundry. The woman is standing to the left of the laundry machine and is resting her hand on it.

A spot illustration from a Mid-Century washing machine brochure. It shows a woman tripping on a puddle of water besides a washing machine. Text next to the image reads

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Spots and clipart

Because this was a relatively new creation, the customer would need to be instructed on how to use a washing machine. The brochure is filled with instructional spot illustrations and clip art.

Spot illustrations from a Mid-Century washing machine brochure. They show from top to bottom: a hand loading laundry into a laundry machine, a hand turning the dial of a washing machine, and a hand pouring washing powder into a laundry machine.

An excerpt from a Mid-Century brochure for a laundry washing machine. Featuring several clip art illustrations showing features of the machine such as that it fills and drains itself. The image is primarily black and white, but has blue accents throughout.

Cover to Cover

Because printing costs were saved with the minimalistic color choices inside the brochure, the company could put more money into the cover art which would play the biggest role in attracting potential customers.

The front cover appears to have been painted with gouache, a popular material for commercial artists during the 1950s.

You can create similar artwork with our The Complete Mid-Century Brush Collection for Procreate.

Close up of the cover of a Westinghouse Laundromat washing machine brochure. It features a laundry washing machine in the center with a spotlight shining on it while several Caucasian men and women in suits and dresses marvel at it.

The cover of a Westinghouse Laundromat washing machine brochure. It features a laundry washing machine in the center with a spotlight shining on it while several Caucasian men and women in suits and dresses marvel at it.

The back cover of a Westinghouse Laundromat clothes washing machine brochure. Featuring the machine slightly off center with a spotlight shining on it.

Takeaways

Advertising is as much about selling a fantasy of what the buyer's life could be like, than it is about selling the product itself.
You don't have to break the bank with expensive colored prints. A splash of color and some well laid halftones can do the same.
Take advantage of clip art and spot illustrations to communicate when the text is more important.
Your cover art is your first and last impression; make it a good one!

Keeping these takeaways in mind you're (nearly) ready to step into any ad agency, or to sell your own products with ease.

For more selections from this Westinghouse brochure as well as freebies, tutorials, and more visit the RetroSupply Secret Society.

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