Our Fascination With Retro Design
Why are we so drawn to retro designs? From fixed-gear bikes to record players to Air Jordan 1’s, there are just some designs that we’re attracted to despite them being decades old. It seems odd that we value these sorts of products given how much our society also values newness and fresh ideas, but certain retro designs always make a comeback into the mainstream. So why is this?
I believe the main factor at work here is self-expression. Humans are all about self-expression. We wear certain clothes and buy certain products because they offer a reflection of how we perceive ourselves and how we want others to perceive us. As a result, we gravitate towards things that are unique because we believe that we, ourselves, are unique. This is why fashion trends fade as soon as they become mainstream and why fashion in general is so cyclical—it’s hard to be unique when everyone starts following the same trend. And this is also why people dig up and embrace retro designs. Since these designs are from a different era, they stand in stark contrast to current trends and allow for a truly unique form of self-expression.
Though we are drawn to retro design, it’s important to note that we only embrace “good” retro design. That is we’re attracted to something like a 1970’s Cadillac but not something like a 1970’s wood-paneled station wagon. This is because we consider certain products and clothing styles to be timeless. These products were so well designed that they are just as desirable today as when they were first introduced. The products truly represent the best designs of their era. So we’re attracted to retro design not only because it offers a different form of self-expression, but also because it’s the best design from the past.
In short, it’s human nature to surround ourselves with objects that reflect our perceived self-identity. We gravitate towards the best and most unique designs that we can find in an effort to express our own individuality. But just because a design is new, doesn’t mean it’s our best form of self-expression. Sometimes a design from another era offers a better, more unique form of self-expression. These are the retro designs that we are so drawn to. And, because they represent the best designs of their time, we will continue to admire them for decades to come.