Retrofuturism: A New SEGD Series by Eli Kuslansky
We are hardwired for hope and resilience. These are traits essential for human survival, as they help us adapt to challenges and to persevere in the face of adversity. It is our aspirations for a positive future that reflects our innate desire to grow, improve, and create better circumstances for ourselves and others, while motivating us to design a world of well-being with greater opportunities and fulfillment. There is no greater design aesthetic that expresses these aspirations than retrofuturism.
Retrofuturism is a new SEGD series that is based upon an artistic and cultural movement from the late 20th century into the early 21st century that looks at how the past imagined the future, often reflecting on the optimism and aesthetics of earlier eras while imagining futuristic innovations.
We are in an era of unprecedented possibilities and transformative change, driven by advances in technology and the creative arts – an era that is often overshadowed by the threats of artificial intelligence, climate change, polarization, and fascism. In this environment we have an important role as design professionals to evoke the potential, optimism, and promise of the future, without glossing over the challenges we face. This is why a series on retrofuturism is so timely.
In some ways, Retrofuturism is more a universe of aesthetics than a single style. Here are some key examples:
- Googie – A mid-20th-century architectural style characterized by bold, geometric shapes, bright colors, and futuristic elements. Often associated with diners, motels, and drive-ins from the 1950s and 1960s.
- Streamline Moderne – An art deco style from the 1930s and 1940s that emphasizes sleek, aerodynamic forms and smooth curves, often used in cars, appliances, and architecture to suggest speed and modernity.
- Raygun Gothic – A futuristic design aesthetic from the 1940s to 1960s, characterized by sleek, sci-fi inspired shapes, rocket motifs, and a general sense of optimism about technology.
- Steampunk – A genre and design style that blends Victorian-era aesthetics with steam-powered technology, creating an anachronistic vision of the future with ornate, industrial designs.
- Cyberpunk – A subgenre and design style that combines futuristic technology with a gritty, dystopian aesthetic. It often features neon lights, dark urban environments, and high-tech, low-life elements.
- Retro-Modern – A style that combines nostalgic elements from the mid-20th century with contemporary design principles, blending vintage shapes, colors, and materials with modern functionality.
- Atomic Age – A style reflecting the optimism of the post-World War II era, characterized by whimsical, space-themed designs, including starburst patterns, atomic motifs, and bright, vibrant colors.
- Futurism – An early 20th-century movement that emphasized dynamic movement and speed, often represented through bold, angular forms and an optimistic vision of technological progress.
Retrofuturistic projects in art, architecture, literature, design, and media include Googie architecture, like LAX’s Theme Building, that embodies Space Age optimism. “The Jetsons” which reflect 1960s hopes through futuristic gadgets, Space Age fashion by André Courrèges used futuristic materials, Steampunk design that reimagines Victorian aesthetics with advanced technology, as in “The Difference Engine” and Neo-retrofuturism, as exemplified by Syd Mead’s “Blade Runner” film production designs.
Apple uses Retrofuturism in its designs by blending sleek, minimalist aesthetics with elements that evoke mid-20th century visions of the future. This can be seen in the company’s use of smooth, rounded edges, clean lines, and a focus on simplicity, which harken back to the optimistic, futuristic design language of the 1960s and 1970s.
Viewing the future through the lens of the past reveals a profound source of creative power. By tapping into the dreams and aspirations of earlier generations, we can craft designs that are innovative and resonant. Merging timeless aesthetics with contemporary techniques allows us to push boundaries while honoring cultural heritage, creating a bold vision of the future.
From a design perspective, examining past visions of the future harnesses a legacy of design, cultural narratives, and aesthetic achievements, providing a solid framework for contemporary solutions. Solutions that leverage innovation, effective communication, and ethical frameworks to strive for meaningful change.
We want to ensure that the Retrofuturism series is aspirational, practical, inspirational, and instrumental for SEGD members to find real value for their practices. As Steve Jobs once said, “We’re here to put a dent in the universe.”
If there is topic or themes you’d like us to cover, or have any comments, questions or thoughts, or if there are methodologies or inspirations, or any project where the aesthetics of Retrofuturism could apply, and want to share it with us — email us at segd@segd.org with the subject line, Retrofuturism.
About Eli Kuslansky
Eli Kuslansky is a Brooklyn-born artist, co-host of the Art Movez radio show and podcast, and a Partner and Chief Strategist at Unified Field, an international award-winning creative innovation firm. He is an internationally recognized thought leader on the use of digital media and artificial intelligence in museums and experience design, cultural institutions of the future, and the evolution of Legible Cities, the humanistic smart city.
About SEGD
We are designers of experiences connecting people to place. SEGD is a multidisciplinary community collectively shaping the future of experience design. We are a thought leader and an amplifier in the practice of experience design. Learn more at segd.org.