May 8, 2025

Inspiration: Cassette Futurism

I've always been a huge fan of "Cassette Futurism," an aesthetic style derived from the bulky, monochromatic look of 1970s-1980s electronics. Essentially, it defined a view of future, as taken from that era and the current technology. It relies on chunky, physical buttons and simple displays, and possesses a unique charm unavailable in the slick, modern, rounded glass aesthetic we see today.

Recently, thanks to movies like Alien: Romulus, and shows like Silo and Severance, this particular style has seen a bit of a resurgence, however classic movies like Star Wars (Parts 4-6), Battlestar Galactica, and Knight Rider all helped pave the way, and you can still see their influences today.

Recently, for a design project, I've gathered a number of examples of this style with an emphasis on UI and screen elements - enjoy, and bask in the warm, comfortable glow of Cassette Futurism!