As the saying goes “things ain’t what they used to be”, but that’s not stopping a new wave of designers from looking to the past for inspiration as the Retro Tech trend proves.
From turntables to televisions (such as the Samsung Serif pictured above), many of the year’s most hotly anticipated gadgets have something of a nostalgic feel mixing cutting edge technology with mid-century minimalism.
Always a fan of pieces that pay a nod to their heritage, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite Retro Tech designs for 2016.
Sony USB Turntable
With vinyl sales up by 30% in 2015, it’s no surprise that Sony have made a turntable one of their flagship releases. Paying homage to the stripped back designs of Dieter Rams, the PS-HX500 integrates the warmth of needle on wax into your everyday life, with full USB integration allowing you to record your favourite LP’s onto your computer to listen on the go.
Kodak Super 8 Camera
Who needs an instagram filter when you can have the real thing? That’s certainly the thinking behind Kodak’s latest version of their classic Super 8 camera. Complete with seventies style leather trim, Yves Behar’s sleek new design lets you record in both digital, with USB and memory card slots along the back, and analogue for that rich depth and colour that can only be captured on film.
Samsung Serif TV
Designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the Serif’s typographic profile sits comfortably alongside classic mid-century furniture and marks a return to technology as an integrated part of interiors. Available in three sizes, this flat screen smart television is fitted with all mod cons and works just as well as a centrepiece or discreetly displayed on a shelf.
One of the few stores in Europe to stock this exclusive design, see the Serif up close at our Tottenham Court Road store or contact one of our Design Advisors at [email protected] to place your order.
