Do you wanna go back in time?
Next time you walk down the street, take a look at the people around you and how they are dressed. Short revealing T-shirts, the kind of jeans your mum still wears and retro, beat-up trainers. Are you getting a flashback to the 1980s? If so, you are not alone. The styles and trends of that decade have returned like a time machine driven by Marty McFly!
These days we can see that the 80’s and early 90’s have a major influence on modern style. A perfect example is Stranger Things, the nostalgic science fiction / horror series. It has a large audience and is full of 80’s pop culture references that delight viewers when they spot them. Right from the opening titles and the accompanying electro synth soundtrack to the way the main characters dress and speak. Every little detail is a throwback, from the hairstyles to the interior design of the homes they live in. Even the visual style and the way it is filmed takes us back, warm soft focus images combined with smoky lighting takes us back to the small town innocence of that decade.
The iconic 80’s style can be defined by a few typical elements. Let’s start with the logo style of the titles – vibrant colors, metallic textures and lots of laser & neon effects around the edges.
Another curious aspect of this time is of course the way things looked on TV. The unique style of VHS-distortion and low-resolution video elements can be used to make modern 80s revival designs look authentic and genuine.
The 80’s style is not limited to colors, outlines and such, we shouldn’t forget the gadgets and products which hit the shelves back then. The 80’s were a great time to go shopping for bright orange Nike Air Max or a futuristic looking Sony Walkman (kind of like an IPOD for you younger readers). Of course the quickest (and coolest) way to get to the shopping mall was to ride your skateboard or BMX.
Now you know the characteristic details and elements that are important to create 80’s style illustrations, let’s take care of business and get down to work! Please feel free to share your own effects with us or if you prefer, you can find some inspirations at Displate 🙂
