Visual of Innovative Nostalgia
Theme

Innovative Nostalgia

Designing the future by referring to the past

Innovative Nostalgia is a design strategy that aims to smooth technological change by linking newfangled technologies with familiar phenomena. We feel more comfortable with technological changes when they are wrapped in a recognizable packaging by referring to accepted objects, habits, values, traditions or intuitions.
Linking modern technologies with old familiar phenomena: the nostalgia can refer to a phenomenon from your youth, your grandparents life, or even the ancient history of humankind. Back to the natural future?

Staff Picks

Good old analog technology, now even better than ever before
‘Innovative nostalgia combines an understanding of the future with proven qualities of the past’
Visual of

Innovative Nostalgia

Van Mensvoort

A battle is underway between designers and engineers; at stake is the design of our technological future. It rages …

Farming of the Future

The future of farming is not to be found in further mass-industrialization nor in the return to farming with man and horse power, but rather in swarms of smart, cheap robotic farmers that patiently seed, tend and harvest fields one plant at a time without the need for damaging pesticides.

Visual of

Your Grandparents Google

Van Mensvoort

Yes Child. Back in the days, before computers existed, we Googled by postcard. Although it exists for less than 20 …

Visual of

Stockholm Underground

Van Mensvoort

Subway stations are usually designed in a clean and modernistic style in order to make people forget they are traveling …

Visual of Angel with Cellphone adorns Cathedral

Angel with Cellphone adorns Cathedral

Van Mensvoort

To mark the twelve-year restoration of the Sint Jan cathedral in Den Bosch, a new statue of an angel carrying a mobile …