retrofuture
Vintage vision ahead
Retrofuture describes visions of the future as imagined in the past—particularly the optimistic, streamlined futures dreamed up in the mid-20th century with their rocket ships, flying cars, and chrome everything.
The term captures both the aesthetic and the poignant gap between what people once expected and what actually came to pass.
The retrofuture exhibit featured illustrations from 1950s magazines predicting life in the year 2000.
Something described as retrofuture or retrofuturistic blends nostalgic design elements with futuristic concepts.
Remove unnecessary elements
- chromeReflective metal coating
- neonInert illuminating element
- synthwaveEighties-inspired electronic genre
- bakeliteEarly thermosetting synthetic resin
fins · CRT · reel-to-reel · starburst · boomerang · terrazzo
Time not long past
- bygoneOf earlier times
- halcyonPeacefully prosperous era
- sepia-tonedBrownish monochrome, vintage effect
- wistfulSadly longing for something
longing · midcentury · analog · crackle · patina
Imagined perfect society
- progressMovement toward improvement
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- prosperityGood fortune, success
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
Hero's fictional American city
- TomorrowlandFuturistic theme park area
- 2001Twenty-first century's opening year
- BrazilLargest South American nation
- FalloutPost-apocalyptic gaming franchise
Back-mounted flying apparatus
- hovercarLevitating vehicle concept
- monorailSingle-beam transit vehicle
- videophonePhone showing caller's face
- rocketshipPropelled craft for space
streamline
Remove unnecessary elements
- chromeReflective metal coating
- neonInert illuminating element
- synthwaveEighties-inspired electronic genre
bakelite · fins · CRT · reel-to-reel · starburst · boomerang · terrazzo
yesteryear
Time not long past
- bygoneOf earlier times
- halcyonPeacefully prosperous era
- sepia-tonedBrownish monochrome, vintage effect
utopia
Imagined perfect society
- progressMovement toward improvement
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- prosperityGood fortune, success
Metropolis
Hero's fictional American city
- TomorrowlandFuturistic theme park area
- 2001Twenty-first century's opening year
- BrazilLargest South American nation
jetpack
Back-mounted flying apparatus
- hovercarLevitating vehicle concept
- monorailSingle-beam transit vehicle
- videophonePhone showing caller's face