What is Postmodern Design Style?

Postmodern design style first emerged in the mid-1970s to early 1980s responding to considerably over formal and rigid modern design styles. The style is thought to be a more free design style than the modern one and boundless to any existing design rules.

Postmodern designers often use historical and cultural references in their designs, but do not follow the established rules, making the designs unusual and different from the previous modern design style. They prefer to rely on intuition and imagination rather than following the established design principles. 

The design style is also famous for its use of unique and striking fonts, as well as the use of various art elements such as symbols, icons and emblems. Additionally, postmodern design often uses other design style elements such as classic, modern, and popular designs.

In today’s modern era, some designers still apply the postmodern design style, especially in graphic and interior designs.

However, it is no longer as popular as it was during its heyday in the 1970s to 1980s and was replaced by more minimalist and modern design styles. 

Factors Causing the Postmodern Design Style Replacement

There are several factors causing this styles to be replaced by others in the early 1990s:

A more minimalist and modern design style

In the early 1990s, more minimalist and modern design styles started to gain popularity among designers and customers. A postmodern design style that is too bold and controversial is considered incompatible with the current trend.

Postmodern design use of more sophisticated technology

In the early 1990s, design technology also began to develop rapidly, so designers began to switch to design styles that were easier to create using this technology. The design style that is more complex and not bound by design rules is deemed not in accordance with the emerging technological trends.

Shifting customer needs

Apart from that, the shift in customer needs has been one of the factors causing postmodern design style to be replaced. Customers began to prefer a design style that was simpler and less flashy, so that a postmodern design style that was too bold and controversial was deemed not to suit customer needs.

Overall, the postmodern design style is unique and refreshing, having no doubt to take risks and try something new. Despite being impopular, this style remains an important part of design history and is a source of inspiration for today’s designers.