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The ‘90s stand out as a decade of whimsical design, leaving a memorable imprint on our culture and hearts. It was an era of pop culture and innovation full of neon colors, iconic TV shows, blockbuster movies, and the Internet. Vibrant hues, playful patterns, funky tech gadgets, and unmissable logos were the blueprint of the ‘90s.
A subreddit called “90sDesign,” devoted to sharing the aesthetics of this decade, has gathered a collection of the most vivid styles of the ‘90s. Let's take a nostalgic trip back in time, exploring these designs that continue to charm us with their explosion of creativity to this day.
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#1
Well That Was Weird Design
The early 1990s continued to evolve from the vibrant trends of the 1980s. The '80s were characterized by bright colors, big hair, and a fresh outlook allowing people to break free from "the normal" and make bold statements.
It represented an era of empowerment, as women’s inclusion in the labor force skyrocketed and shattered glass ceilings across professions. In 1986, Oprah Winfrey produced and owned her own talk show, becoming an inspiration for other women. Popular culture in the 1980s was defined by the appearance of mall arcades, the emergence of MTV as the first music video channel, and iconic TV shows.
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#2
These Were So Cool
#3
Believe It Or Not: This Was A Cutting Edge Web Portal In 1996
#4
A Classic. I Posted This In R/80sdesign But Thought It Could Go Here As Well :)
No name 112233 2 years ago
So many radio recordings. Remember when you could record without holding tape recorder up to the radio or audio out cables?!?!?!
The remaining decade was influenced by new technologies, which offered various mediums for expression. Instead of becoming one unified aesthetic the '90s had many different directions. Grunge and minimalism appeared as rebellious in their own ways, one by challenging the consumerism of pop and the other by rejecting its excess and loudness.
Magenta, neon green, electric blue, and other saturated hues dominated the color palettes of the time. The style of techno-futurism reflected the excitement for the new digital age and was characterized by sleek, metallic finishes, neon colors, and digital graphics. Additionally, color gradients and funky patterns were important design elements that added a special touch to fashion, design, and art.
#5
Clear Phone From The '90s
#6
Gotta Love Malls That Still Like This. One Of My Favorite Movie Theaters Too
#7
The Carpet At This Arcade
In just a decade, people saw tremendous technological progress, from “Nokia” to the first search engine “Google”. New creations made people anxious including the infamous "Millennium Bug”. Millions feared an internet crash on New Year’s Eve of 2000, believing systems couldn't correctly interpret the transition to the year '00' and potentially causing civilization to crumble. At midnight almost nothing happened bringing relief to everyone.
Paul Saffo, a professor at Stanford University, says that the Y2K crisis didn’t happen because programmers started preparing for it a decade in advance while people weren’t aware of it. Incidents like U.S. spy satellites that stopped working for days prove that if no steps were taken to address them, the potential damage might have been much worse.
#8
Our City's Bus Seats Still Got It!
#9
Does This Fit? My Local Taco Bell Since 91
#10
My First Concert T-Shirt. (And I Still Wear It To This Day)
Ignoring fears for technology, people continued to fight for their rights. In the early ’90s, the third wave of feminism empowered women to live life however they wanted, and have more freedom to express their sexuality through speech, clothes, and actions. At the same time, black people in the US received important positions as mayors, members of Congress, and leaders in medicine, sports, and academia. However, such achievements were often costly; protests for black rights frequently led to violence, arrests, theft, and arson.
#11
Who Remembers Living Rooms Like This?
Groundcontroltomajortom 2 years ago
I think these guys must have had quite a bit of money coz mine NEVER looked like that.....
#12
Although This Is Star Trek, There Is Clearly An Early 90's Influence
#13
Clarissa Explains It All
'90s nostalgia is experiencing a long-lasting comeback compared to any other decade. Psychologist Erica Hepper suggests that feelings of nostalgia peak twice in life: in young adulthood and again in old age. For young adults, it helps to deal with transitions, as they’re just moving away from home or starting their new careers. Millennials, like other generations, look back on memories of holidays, pets, and life in school, seeking nostalgia and comfort. Nowadays, the surge of ‘90s nostalgia is fully embraced online in a way previous generations couldn’t.
#14
Ops Grandma Worked At Kmart In The 90s And Received This Promotional Nintendo Hat
#15
Borders Book Store In Highland, Indiana (1997)
#16
90’s Movie Theater Frozen In Time
#17
Abandoned McDonald's On A Remote Alaskan Island
#18
From The 1991 Sears Fall Catalog: Some Early 90s Youth Styles
Recent movie releases such as Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”, and brought back fashion trends like Birkenstocks, claw clips, and biker shorts indicate the sneaky comeback of the '90s. Modern music releases often include reworks of the ‘90s hits, giving them a fresh look and pushing them to the top charts. Even in home design, elements like limewash, travertine, and floral wallpaper are making a comeback, inspired by the start of the millennium. Modernized ‘90s trends are returning, filling us with the nostalgic and vintage feel many of us love.
Dear Pandas, are there any ‘90s relics you wish you could bring back?
#19
Early 90's Swatch Watches
#20
I Need You To Understand My Obsession With Mid 90's Boat Upholstery And Interiors
#21
I Had This On The Front Of A Trapper Keeper (Kids Ask Your Parents) When I Was A Kid And Thought It Was The Coolest Thing Ever. I Found The Image Again As An Adult And Turns Out I Was Totally Correct
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
I remember I had a Lisa Frank design on my Trapper Keeper and thought I was all that and a bag of chips.
#22
A Cinemark Theater In Summer 1995
#23
This Chair And Ottoman At An Estate Sale Today
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
This chair is awesome, I would love to have this but I would probably have it re-upholstered with a brighter maybe neon pattern.
#24
This Mug Or This Background
#25
This Depiction Of 2020 On A 27 Year Old School Folder
#26
As Requested...l I G H T B A R
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
We had this exact car when I was growing up, except ours was white. It even had the fold down jump seat in the trunk.
#27
I Brought Some Of Japan’s Beautiful 90s Car Styling Over To Canada With My Imported 1996 Rx7! Simply Timeless
#28
Nickelodeon "Desk Thing" Organizer (1999)
#29
Devil Sticks (And This Guy)
#30
Full Dose Of 90's
#31
Recently Bought Some Gecko Hawaii And Maui & Sons Shirts On Ebay. Surfpunk/Proto-Seapunk Goodness
#32
This Movie Themed Burger King In Brooklyn, New York Seems Completely Untouched Since The 90’s
#33
I Miss This Caricature Style That Was Popular In The 90s
#34
Taboo’s Cover
#36
I Recently Found This Tee My Mom Bought Me In The Mid-Late '90s, And It's As Global Village Coffeehouse As It Can Get
#37
The Space Jam Website, Still Untouched
Jared Robinson 2 years ago
"if you feel fine, we're gonna take it into overtime" oh s**t wait where am I.
#38
These Marbled Ballons Were A Thing
#39
Worth $5 Just To Look At It, I’d Say. Cool!!
#40
My “Solo Jazz” Controller Is Finally Complete! 😎
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
The bubbles and creases near the bottom of the controller would drive me crazy 🤪
#41
Nickelodeon Time Blaster Alarm Clock From 1995!
#42
A Very 90’s Style Promo Poster For The 1997 Wichita River Festival
Arturo De la Rosa 2 years ago
This is the clip art that was actually not that bad, inspired by blackboard scratching artwork.
#43
Stumbled Upon A Roller Skating Rink In Upstate New York Called Skate Time 209 Which Looks Like It Has Not Been Redecorated Since The 90s - But Was In Perfect Condition Inside! What A Relic Of A Place
Sarah Suelzle 2 years ago
I really miss all of the fun colors and shapes -- now everything is gray and tan and gray and brown and gray .....
#44
Adobe Acrobat 4.0
#45
Final Christmas Post Until Next Year 1992 Toysrus Holiday Catalog
#46
This Optional Arizona License Plate (Ca.1990), Still Available Thirty Years Later. Part Of My Own Plate Collection
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Looks very similar to the ice tea cans from a company of the same name.
#47
A Very 1990 Picture: Children Jogging Outside The Nickelodeon Studios Attraction Located At The Universal Studios Florida Amusement Park In Orlando, Florida, Circa 1990
Jared Robinson 2 years ago
And work, and work, and work, and work, and work, and work. Nickelodeon and disney breaking child labor laws since the 90's
#48
Hat Worn To The Royal Ascot In 1992
#49
The Living Room, October 1996
#51
Another Burger King, This One With A More Traditionally 90s Look. I Felt Like I Was In A Time Warp!
#52
[oc] Found At My Local Goodwill , There Wasn’t A Price On It But It Screams The 90’s Mall Design Ascetics
![[oc] Found At My Local Goodwill , There Wasn’t A Price On It But It Screams The 90’s Mall Design Ascetics](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/6544ec52eee5d_paukifuj3vn91__700.jpg?utm_campaign=rebelboost_true "[oc] Found At My Local Goodwill , There Wasn’t A Price On It But It Screams The 90’s Mall Design Ascetics")
New Everywhere 2 years ago
It's giving seats in the kids' play place in the middle of the mall
#53
He May Be The Only Person Who Could Pull This Pattern Off
#54
I Recently Completed My Living Room/Kitchen Which Features Many Pieces Of 90s IKEA Furniture As Well As Being Heavily Influenced By That Decade In General
#55
Internet Kiosk, Found In An Old Hotel
#56
Original Rugrats Animation Cel Used In Making The Show!
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 2 years ago
animation cells can be worth a bit of money, depending on the quality and what series it's from, and who's on it.
#57
1990, Pontiac Trans Sport Se
#58
My Neighbour’s 1996 Dodge Caravan
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Pretty sure that's a Ford Windstar and not a Dodge Caravan. 🤷♀️
#59
Ninja Turtles Bedroom From 1991 Jcpenney Catalog
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Omg this reminds me of a similar tent I had, I can't remember what design was on the outside but every time I slept in the thing I would have what became a reoccurring nightmare..it was awful..after my 5-6 year old brain finally put 2 and 2 together, I never slept in the tent again.
#60
This Entire Picture Is Pure 90s Goodness
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Anyone know what is on his foot? Is it a cast or a white sock with a weight on it? 🤷♀️
#61
This Custom Painted Game Boy
#62
This Target Holiday Ad From 1993
#63
From A 90s Architectural Digest Issue
#64
Should I Buy This. BF Thinks We Should, Interior Designer Friend Thinks We Definitely Shouldn’t
#65
The Original 1995 Apple Watch
#66
This Chair’s Back Pattern Felt Very Nostalgic To Me
Michael Largey 2 years ago
I'd feel that way too too if I liked to reminisce about projectile vomiting.
#67
I Keep Thinking This Vase In My Mother’s China Cabinet Belongs Here
#68
This Pillow
#69
In A Movie Theater
#70
Lion King Color Changing Spoons Ad (1994)
#71
Corner Arcade In The Local Theater That Hasn’t Changed Since It Was Built In ‘97
#72
I Miss That Cherry Coke Logo
#73
The Box For This Copy Of Ms-Dos 5
Arturo De la Rosa 2 years ago
This is very early 90s, late 80s really. I would say windows is more representative of the 90s
#74
Wegmans "Video Rental Store" In The 90's. This Was A Store Within A Store At Wegmans Supermarkets
#75
Igmur Blessed Me With Such A Vending Machine
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
How are you going to have an entire Fruitopia machine and not offer a single variety of Fruitopia?? I loved the strawberry flavored one personally.
#76
Just Bought A Bunch Of 90s Jazz Cups For $20
#77
A Very Creative Design, The 14aa3324 Philips Anubis TV, Aka "Book". Produced In Monza, Italy. (1993)
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
I want this tv..I don't ever remember anything like this growing up. It reminds me of a rolodex or one of those plastic accordion like file folders. I need to find one for sale.
#78
Microsoft Wine Guide
marko skerlavaj 2 years ago
graphic design made by someone that tasted quite some sample wines...
#79
The Cover Art Of This Computer Programming Book
#80
A Nickelodeon Shop Inside Blockbuster Video (1996)
#81
Opening Of Circuit City On Route 18 In East Brunswick, Nj - November 1998 (Photos By Jason Towlen)
#83
McDonald's Packaging Design From Early 90's-1995. Wish They Brought Back The Lightning Script Logo
#84
Rainforest Café - Arizona Mills & Disney Village Marketplace (1997 & 1996)
#85
I Finally Have A Place To Post How Cool My Local Laundromat Waiting Area Is
#86
90s Coca-Cola Classic
#87
Look At This House, Man
#89
McDonald's On Flatbush Avenue In Brooklyn
John Henry 2 years ago
I can never hear the word "flatbush" without thinking of that bugs bunny cartoon with the two french chefs.
#90
‘96 Misty Shopping Baskets Still In Use
#91
1998, Famous Players Movie Theatre, Mississauga, Ontario
#93
This Thing To Listen To Fm Radio On Your Computer
Saint Thomas 2 years ago
The picture on the packaging is perfect ! Clearly influenced by the movie "Hackers" aesthetic. High angle shot, hairstyles, glasses.
#95
Scanned This From The Back Of A Copy Of Nintendo Power
#96
Pages From A 1990 Nintendo Catalog
#97
1993
#98
Someone Posted About Pizza Hut And I Remembered The Old Cups
#99
1994 College Student Hanging Out In His Dorm
#101
Christmas 1998 At Eastland Mall In Charlotte, Nc
LooseSeal's $10 Banana 2 years ago
I remember being taken here as a 6 year old and coerced into having my picture taken. I was rewarded with ice skating and power rangers pajamas.
#103
This Area Of My Local Laundromat Is Frozen In The 90’s
sara fulmer 2 years ago
CRUISIN EXOTICA!!! That's where I've taught all my children to drive. 🥰
#104
This Soap Screams 90s
Juan Something(downvotevictim) 2 years ago
The one on the right screams "I'M MADE OF SOAP CARCASSES!!"
#106
1999, Playstation Store At The Sony Metreon Complex In San Francisco, Ca
#107
1996 College Students Hanging Out. Gotta Love That Mid-90's Look
#108
Mcdonalds I Visited 4 Years Ago, It’s Since Been Demolished
#112
Cable In The Classroom Logo
Ent Hugger 2 years ago
oh man you knew you woke up too early if this logo popped up... like come onnnn i'm here for doug and rugrats!
#114
This Mexican Restaurant Still Uses The Old Cherry Coke Logo
#115
House Built In 1996
#116
Abandoned Kmart, Straight Out Of The 90s
#117
A Print Ad For The McDonald's Big Mac (Late 90's)
#118
Apple's 90s "Cybercafe" Business Concept
#120
1992 Honda Cub
#121
A Compilation Of 90's Malls And Stores
Alex Davis 2 years ago
Again you have to click on the source link and go through to imgur to see the other 7-8 photos
#123
Snes Magazine Ad, For Doom (1995)
#124
This Electronics Store Supposedly From The UK (1990?)
Matticulas 2 years ago
Not an electronics store, that's a record store - almost certainly HMV. I don't think it's Our Price or Virgin Megastore as they tended to have a lot of red in their design.
#125
The Arby's At Christiana Mall, Circa 2006. This Whole Food Court Was Replaced By A New One And Demolished Around 2009
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Bored Retsuko 2 years ago
Not sure it's what BP is trying to achieve but lately they're giving me lots of nice reddit sites to join :-)
Mark Karol-Chik 2 years ago
Has anyone ever seen the movie Flashback with Keifer Sutherland and Dennis Hooper? The movie is about a CIA agent who is bringing a hippy fugitive to DC. Anyways, Dennis' character and Kiefer become friends at the end of the flick and says this incredible line- "Once we get out of the 1980's, the 1990's are going to make the 1960's look like the 1950's." I changed it to, "Once we got into 2020, the aughts made the 1990's look like the 1950's. "
Bored Retsuko 2 years ago
Not sure it's what BP is trying to achieve but lately they're giving me lots of nice reddit sites to join :-)
Mark Karol-Chik 2 years ago
Has anyone ever seen the movie Flashback with Keifer Sutherland and Dennis Hooper? The movie is about a CIA agent who is bringing a hippy fugitive to DC. Anyways, Dennis' character and Kiefer become friends at the end of the flick and says this incredible line- "Once we get out of the 1980's, the 1990's are going to make the 1960's look like the 1950's." I changed it to, "Once we got into 2020, the aughts made the 1990's look like the 1950's. "
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