Here come the 80’s, redeux
October 20, 2008
We’ve been having a 1970’s revival in graphic design for the past few years. Orange, brown and yellow? 70’s color revival. Graphic patterns, featuring colored circles and swirls? 70’s revival.
1970's era design, via http://www.berting.nl/seventies/
2008 image, via istockphoto (http://www.istockphoto.com)
As in all things design, things change. And, as much as I hoped this wouldn’t happen, the 70s are making way for the 80s (again). I was in high school in the 1980s and the fashions and styles of the times are burned into my memory in a horrific mishmash of leg warmers, thick shoe laces, Bon Jovi, big hair, belted oversize shirts, pegged pants, neon, and acid wash jeans. See below — and please note, this is NOT me. (If you’re a real glutton for punishment, check out the Flickr group 80s.)
http://flickr.com/photos/hepe/483361489/
Why do I think 80s are on their way back? Here’s just a taste of what you can find in stores today:
Target and Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters
So what does this mean for design? I’m forecasting jewel colors (sapphire blues, ruby reds, emerald greens), a return of thicker typefaces from the ultrathin ones we’ve seen recently, neon (I hope I’m wrong about this!), drop shadows and outlines. Here’s what graphic design looked like, circa the 1980s:
I’ll be very interested to see how this plays out in the next three or four years. Done right, the best of the 80s could translate into new, interesting design. After all, ten years ago few people were looking at 70s design (avocado green appliances! bell bottoms! orange!!) and longing for its return.
What do you think? Are there styles (design, fashion, home or otherwise) that you’re hoping will come back? Are there pinstriped jeans in your future? Are you too young to have fully experienced 1980s fashion and are looking forward to a nice pair of Ray Ban aviators? Or are the 80s a bad dream?
I’m dusting off my Members Only jacket and getting my slouch socks out…oops, bad dream. I often look at the college students in town and can’t believe the fashions have returned. I also look at the clothes in stores and think I’m too old, since I was there for the first wave. As for the design aspect, I hope we can keep the 80’s in the closet for a little longer.
Comment by Tina Cornell — October 20, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
Ack, Members Only! Ugh, slouch socks. Tina, you’re killing me!!!
Those college students make me feel old, too.
Comment by Leslie Tane Design — October 20, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
Omilord that last picture of the two guys is so awful I can’t stop looking. I have to say I actually don’t mind the Ulysses cover and the Sid and Nancy one worked for the movie, but I cannot get on board with the fashion. I tried; I bought myself a pair of footless tights and put them on then I had to punch myself in the face because I hated myself so much.
Comment by elizasmom — October 21, 2008 @ 11:27 am
Elizasmom — I have my fingers crossed for the return of the men’s suit pants to skirt fashion extravaganza. Have you ever found any pictures of you in that gem?
Comment by Leslie Tane Design — October 21, 2008 @ 11:36 am
I believe this is what you’re looking for…
http://elizasmom.com/?p=137
Comment by elizasmom — October 21, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
You are AWESOME
Comment by Leslie Tane Design — October 21, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
Sighm, the funny thing is when it was the 80s (I was in high school) I thought all that stuff was so cool. I never had enough hair to do it up like that but I do have some unfortunate pics of me in neon yellow pants and a huge neon pink belt.
Comment by Meredith — November 2, 2008 @ 8:55 am