Old is New Again

The old saying that fashion is cyclical seems to be ringing true recently with environmental graphics, as old styles of signage, graphics and typography are being reinvented for a modern audience.

Whilst it is said that 50 years is required for a fashionable look to come back in style, some recent design projects go back a lot further.

Stained glass windows make a reappearance in this first project by Dutch-based illustrator Stefan Glerum. Two new super-scale designs that depict the history of the building’s area adorn a residential project in Amsterdam and combine a centuries-old glazing technique with a graphic style reminiscent of the Art Deco or Bauhaus movements.

On a smaller scale, we’ve also started to see signage styles replicate the techniques of eras gone by.

This floor-marker signage seen at Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco uses mosaics to provide a fun twist on typography. Taken by @mihailonaca via @canva

Designed by A friend of Mine, the new euro-style dessert restaurant in South Melbourne features a custom-mosaic wall signage. The crafted typography with intricate patterns in a bold and geometric typeface gives a sense of modernity whilst drawing on the traditional techiniques of tiling and gives this boutique a sense of place.

And closer to home, Sydney-based Lynes & Co are doing some beautifully hand-crafted work with traditional signwriting techniques.