While only lasted for a short 7 years, the Memphis Milano, commonly known as the Memphis Group, defined what ‘80s design looked like. Compared to the minimalist styles in mid-century modern, the group aimed to bring ornamental style, trying to design objects more than their intended purpose. Founder Ettore Sottsass perfectly explained it, even, saying that “when [he] was young, all [he] heard about was functionalism, functionalism, functionalism. It’s not enough. Design should be sensual and exciting.”
Some key features of Memphis Design include:
- Use of geometric shapes
- Bold color palette
- Rounded edges and curves
- Swiggles
- Use of materials such as terrazzo and plastic laminate in various finishes
- Clashing patterns
Some of their inspiration was drawn from Art Deco and Pop Art. With success within the design community, they, later on, influenced many parts of pop culture, such as Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Saved By the Bell. Famous celebrities such as David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld also praised the Memphis Design style. In the 2010s, the return of 80s trends in pop culture and design only further accelerated The Memphis Group’s popularity, with fashion designers, such as Christian Dior, filmmakers, and other disciplines in art, drawing inspiration from them.
Sources
https://www.thespruce.com/memphis-design-style-5095944
https://designmuseum.org/discover-design/all-stories/memphis-group-awful-or-awesome