From its origin in 1980 to the present, Memphis style design it has divided the opinion of designers and the general public. Some praise it for its colorful daring, others consider it cheap and tacky.
Strong colors, repeating geometric patterns and a clear influence of styles such as pop art o the Art Deco, are some of the ingredients that the founders of this trend combined, a group of Italian designers and architects, who sought to rebel against the simple and austere modernism of the 70s.
This aesthetic was applied to all areas of design: furniture, decoration, graphic pieces, fashion and architecture. So much so, that although it was thanks to the famous song Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again de Bob Dylan that the trend is named after Memphis, it was nothing but David Bowie, the singer who became obsessed with pieces of this style, having a collection valued at $ 1.764.900.
More than three decades after its creation, its influence on art and design is still valid. Instagram or Pinterest These are some of the networks that allow us to see how a good number of designers, illustrators and visual artists have incorporated Memphis design into their work. Some faithfully follow the visual line of the 80s, others mix new shades of colors, soften the figures and use more organic textures, thus giving birth to a new design: the Neo-Memphis.
If you want to start designing Memphis-style arts with that current touch that is in vogue, here are some of the basic principles that you can apply.
Don't limit your choice of colors
Although the original proposal of the 80s leans more towards strong and garish colors combined with pastel colors, the revival of the Memphis has adapted to the tastes of this era, allowing a greater flexibility in choosing the color palette. In this way, you can mix more earthy or more neutral tones, with stronger colors, thus preserving the dynamic and cheerful essence of the original trend.
Forget the order
The Memphis design is completely free, the compositions and the distribution of the elements in it have no rules. If you want to arrange the figures symmetrically, as if you prefer to do it asymmetrically, everything will depend on your taste and style. There are those who repeat the same patterns throughout the width and height of the canvas, and there are those who prefer to break abruptly with different elements that are in no way related to each other.
Less defined figures
You can use shapes such as triangles, circles, squares, curved lines, and dots, which have always been characteristic of the Memphis. However, if you want to give it a fresher and more personal touch, instead of capturing them in a solid and well-defined way, try making strokes lighter and less defined, as if the figures were made with a brush or with colors.
If you are going to use typeface, choose a Sans Serif
The elements of the composition are in themselves quite daring, so we recommend that if you are going to place text, it is preferable use a sans serif typeface. Thus, you can preserve the striking character of the design, but with a touch of simplicity and good taste, which adapts very well to the latest trends.
And for the simplest, white backgrounds
Finally, if you are one of those who like simpler and more minimalist designs, the Memphis still has an option to offer you: white backgrounds with simple figures in black, or if you prefer, some soft colored spots. There is no need to saturate the composition with colors. By using a white background, you can make figures, elements and text stand out, without losing the characteristic touch of the style. In this way, you can make any graphic piece you want, from invitations and posters, to illustrations and images for social networks.
