The power of nostalgia in design: using retro styles in your brand graphics for an emotional connection

As people, we are more likely to be influenced by nostalgia than we think.

Subconsciously, we all have an emotional connection to designs that remind us of simpler times.

That can be your carefree childhood or the earlier times lived by our parents and grandparents that we only see hints and traces of.

You might have seen the recent comeback of the Y2K, or fashion and design trends from the 2000s.

(Yes, it makes me feel old too. I can’t believe that’s considered “vintage” when that feels like 5 years ago at most!)

The younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha are romanticizing the vibrant analogue experiences from these years.

After all, they grew up in the fast-paced modern world, where everything tends to be online, neutral, and minimalist.

This same nostalgic feeling is why trends tend to come back into the world of design. Some people call it the “nostalgia cycle.”

So what are we feeling nostalgic about in the year 2024?

Yes, it has come back several times, but retro design is back again!

Brands embracing nostalgic design in 2024

The average consumer might have noticed their everyday brands at the grocery store switching to a more nostalgic design.

Brands like Pepsi, Burger King, and Honda have created new logo designs that resemble their 1950s style.

Clothing and merchandise brands like Uniqlo, Addidas, and Sanrio are also using more of their retro branding by adding classic iconography and color palettes in their product designs and packaging.

Even celebrities and movies are using these nostalgic elements in their promotional materials and videos.

They’re all appealing to the classic retro look but with a modern twist.

The timeless appeal of retro aesthetics is making a strong comeback, from vintage typography to playful color schemes, and you’re going to slowly see it creeping into more designs in the future.

You might have even noticed it becoming the norm in UX/UI design already.

In this article, we’ll explore the modern reinterpretations of classic styles and offer valuable tips for infusing a sense of nostalgia into your design projects.

Whether you’re a web developer in need of trendy color palettes and icons for web design or a business that wants to make posts or products appeal to a wider market, you’re going to want to pay attention.

Putting a contemporary spin on retro design

While these design elements may evoke feelings of nostalgia, it is not necessary for them to look outdated.

In fact, designers are putting a fresh, contemporary spin on classic styles, breathing new life into familiar aesthetics.

A great example is the resurgence of retrofuturism.

This is a design movement that combines futuristic elements with vintage aesthetics.

It creates a sense of nostalgia for a future that never was.

When you see promotional materials from brands like SpaceX and Tesla, you can tell that it is a modern design, even if it is based on a retro concept.

Tips for using nostalgia in designs

There’s nothing quite like the fuzzy feeling of reminiscing about simpler times that sparks creativity and innovation.

There are various elements you can play around with, like vintage photography, iconography, textures, or fonts.

Not only can this deepen the nostalgic experience for users, but it can also enhance their overall user experience.

By incorporating these nostalgic elements into your designs, you can create a sense of familiarity and comfort that resonates with your audience.

It’s important to strike a balance between nostalgia and modernity in your designs to ensure that they feel fresh and relevant.

Here are some tips you can consider:

Choose the right fonts.

Retro can mean a wide range of vintage styles, as it can cover several decades.

When choosing a vibe, go for fonts that reflect the era you’re drawing your design inspiration from.

For example, if you’re going for a 1970s disco feel, try using bold, groovy fonts like Avant Garde or Cooper Black.

For an 80s arcade aesthetic, consider using pixelated fonts reminiscent of old-school video games.

You can use this to anchor your entire design.

Play with color.

The vintage styles are all about the playful use of colors.

Experiment with vintage color palettes to evoke a sense of nostalgia.

For instance, use earthy tones like mustard yellow and olive green for a 1970s feel or bright neon hues for a 1980s-inspired look.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors to create a unique, retro-inspired palette that captures the essence of the era you’re referencing.

Incorporate iconic graphics.

Bring in the spirit of the time by using iconic graphics relevant to your era of choice.

Illustrations of analogue items like cassette tapes, big, bulky TVs, vinyl records and players, etc. can bring out that nostalgic feeling of the 1960s.

You can also take inspiration from the geometric banners and model illustrations used in mid-century modern advertisements and posters.

These elements can add depth and character to your design while also paying homage to the visual language of the past.

Focus on texture.

Texture can add richness and depth to your projects, enhancing the nostalgic feel. This is especially useful if you’re making designs for print.

You can mimic the look of textured paper in graphic design by adding digital effects.

It is also popular to mimic the look of aged materials like distressed paper or worn-out leather.

You can also use classic patterns as backgrounds, such as polka dots, paisley, or repeating geometric shapes.

These subtle touches can evoke a sense of history and nostalgia, adding authenticity to your design.

Keep it authentic.

While it’s fun to play with retro design elements, authenticity is key.

Take the time to research the era you’re drawing inspiration from and strive to capture its essence accurately.

While it’s tempting to just use any vintage template and icon you see, you might want to check and make sure that the design makes sense for the style you are going for.

Pay attention to details like typography, color schemes, and design motifs to create a truly authentic, retro-inspired design that resonates with your audience.

Bringing the past into the present

The revival of retro design elements in 2024 offers a unique opportunity for designers and businesses to tap into the power of nostalgia.

By incorporating modern interpretations of classic styles and following these tips for infusing nostalgia into print projects, you can create designs that resonate with audiences and stand the test of time.

So, why not embrace the retro renaissance and bring a touch of the past into your present-day designs?

Key takeaways

• The nostalgia cycle has brought back retro design in 2024, and we’re bound to see more of this timeless style.
• Brands have been exploring the use of these classic styles in their branding, promotional materials, and products.
• While they may remind us of older times, these designs don’t have to look dated. You can add a contemporary twist to keep the design relevant and updated.
• There are various fonts, icons, colors, and textures that you can incorporate into your design for a nostalgic vibe. It helps to select a specific era you want to draw inspiration from to keep it cohesive instead of cluttered.
• Consider what appeals to your audience best while still staying authentic with your brand.