Friend or Fad? The Rise of Retrofuturism

Image: Stray video game (https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2022/08/03/stray-cats-meow)

How it Started

Throughout the course of history, humanity has been collecting scraps from bygone eras, stitching them together and remaking them into something else. In 1983, the graphic artist Lloyd Dunn coined the term retrofuturism to describe an approach to developing visual products created using both nostalgia for the past and hope for the future. And as of the late 2020s, this trend has begun to resurface in many designs all across the globe.

In years prior, retrofuturistic design has appeared in art, fashion, digital media, and television. Although the term was officially devised in the early 80s, the concept of retrofuturism has been around for decades. This reinterpretation of earlier design styles is often a response to modern minimalism or new technological advancements.

Image, top L to bottom R: Art Deco architecture (https://stockcake.com/i/golden-deco-skyline_4151836_1866810); The Jetsons (https://wallpapers.com/wallpapers/the-jetsons-in-space-car-with-logo-b9zq19pe38027w9n.html); Cyberpunk art (https://wallpapers.com/wallpapers/cyberpunk-pixel-art-fg761ooxxfyi5791.html); Frutiger Aero aesthetic (https://wallpapers.com/frutiger-aero-aesthetic?p=3); Fallout 4 video game (https://hdqwalls.com/fallout-4-xbox-wallpaper); Matt Groening's Futurama (https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/futurama-how-a-batch-of-fresh-college-graduates-helped-make-matt-groenings-sci-fi-comedy)

How it's Going

In 2026, retrofuturism has become radically popular due to the growing desire for sustainable web design and human-created content. As technology rapidly advances, so does our fear of the changing future. However, there are two lenses through which we can choose to view our ever-evolving world: utopian, which envisions limitless optimism for the future, and dystopian, focusing on the collapse and eventual destruction of society.

A utopian interpretation of this new technological landscape may look something like solarpunk design, which envisions a future where sustainable energy resources are incredibly enhanced and humanity thrives in nature instead of destroying it. This is an optimistic approach to how new high-tech machinery and the natural world can coexist.

In contrast, a dystopian interpretation provides a more cynical outlook. Dieselpunk is a classic example of this idea, depicting the dangers of an advanced society with finite resources during wartime. This design style draws inspiration from World War historical fiction and serves as a warning against powerful egos and their contribution to the ultimate downfall of society. No matter the interpretation, the vision for society is the same: we will thrive against all odds.

There are two lenses through which we can choose to view our ever-evolving world: utopian, which envisions limitless optimism for the future, and dystopian, focusing on the collapse and eventual destruction of society.

Solarpunk aesthetic (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/solarpunk-story-tomorrow-we-want-live-damir-first/)

Now What?

Our goal as designers is to become a willing part of the solution, not contributors to the problem. Retrofuturism should not simply serve as a balm to remedy the discomfort of a vastly changing world, and it does not have to be an instrument of fear to warn about some impending doom. Retrofuturistic design can be an effective tool of creative innovation in the face of uncertainty. Because of retrofuturism, designers of all kinds are experimenting with sustainable tech, unique brand identities, and human-centered content. The question, then, is not how to stop the future from overrunning our past, but how we can promote lasting harmony between both the creators and their creations.

Our mission at Kanyon is to sustain creativity through collaborative iteration—internally as a team and externally working with our clients and partners. There is strength and power in numbers; the more collaboration in the design process, the better. In this way, we aim to secure hope for a bright future through inclusive design thinking. The days of dystopian design—e.g., prescribed design based on shallow assumptions or so-called "best practices"—have stood down at last to the unbridled imagination fostered by collaboration between the designer and non-designer alike.

Got a good idea that could be great with a little extra creativity? Reach out today to set up a brainstorming session with our design experts!