Examples of retro web design influencing the work of web designers

Is Retro the new web design?

Quite often when I am trawling through the internet I come across a design that really does catch my eye and the style seems to become more and more popular. The design style of course is Retro.

So what is Retro?

Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall post-modern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of “retro” style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc. Retro and vintage designs exhibit graphic solutions that are strongly influenced by the time period that they are supposed to represent. Retro generally implies a focus on style of the 1910’s to the 1930’s while Vintage implies a style between the 1950’s and 1980’s.

But hang on we are now in the 2013 era! So why is it coming back in style in the mass design. Retro and Vintage are definitely the new trend and can be seen in a number of design contexts such as online shops, big name corporate designs, logos, portfolio’s. Most of the designs I come across, if executed carefully, almost never look boring although you would think they should be.

In both cases of Retro and Vintage the design reflects some old motifs, trends, personalities and objects that have been an essential part of our life’s in the past. Is it the nostalgia, awakening feelings and memories that stir a heartfelt interest into these designs? The retro texture of design gives a sincere feeling of being back in time.