The term “retro” is often described as a culturally outdated, aged style that has since become trendy or functionally the norm in present day. Pairing this type of style with today’s powerful graphic design software, many talented designers have taken the time to create some extremely creative posters. To help inspire your creative mind while drawing from the styles of the past, here is a collection of 50 Inspiring Examples of Retro Poster Designs.
Elle
Analogue Wednesdays at Cogitatur
Festival Poster
РОБОТЫ – Comrades of Steel
Inspire / Create
Cat’s Eye
Network
RPS-Polaroid-V2
Hive Poster Age Test
Union Match Music Poster 3
Lifestream Poster
American Power
Unnamed
Bullitt
Anniversary Series: Featured Artists Roundup
Retro Futuristic Poster
Space Mountain
Leigh Hunt
Poster, Cortina
Grindy Bumps
Supreme Blue
James White – Atari
Live World Tour
The Same Crap All Over Again
IRobot
Tron Legacy
7th-Guest User Manual
Alas
Birds Make Good Neighbours
Rock 77
Poster Festival de Calouros
Next Wave Teaser Poster
Mile 2
James White
VAMOS!!! I love you…
Martian Time Slip Poster
Happy Holidays
IRIS VIII Electronic Performers
Reservoir Dogs
VYPSANA FIXA I
The Looking Glass
Poster Union Match Music
Retro Poster in Photoshop
TutsPlus 2010 Commemorative Poster
2008 Glastonbury Poster
Explore the Depths W.I.P
Big Points Fabia
2010 Logo Vector
Union Match Music Poster 7
Lost In Space
Enjoy The Retro Roundup?
If you enjoy this particular style, I can recommend two blogs that will help you to get your fix. Signalnoise driven by the very creative designer, James White, often works with this effect in a highly detailed manner (you may have noticed some of his work above). You can usually find this style being showcased on the Abduzeedo website as well, often in daily doses.
Did you find one or a few in particular that stood out in your eyes? Share your favorites below.
Written by Shawn Ramsey
When I’m not brewing my own beer or hiking through the local National Forest, I’m busy building a more beautiful web.
I love the crossbreeding of grunge and retro. Nice roundup Shawn!
The two kind of go hand-in-hand. Thanks for the feedback Jacob!
Excellent collection you’ve put together here. I’m a fan of the retro style.
Thanks Allan! I too am a fan of the whole retro look and have noticed it being used more frequently within print and web design.
Rock77 and iRobot are two of my favorites. I may have to try and put one of these together myself over the weekend. Thanks for the inspiration Shawn!
Agreed, it’s kind of hard not to like Rock77. Another excellent poster created by James White. Come back and post a link if you decide to create one. Thanks Ericka!
Love these!
Me too!
The retro look is timeless. My favorite would have to be “The Looking Glass”. I love the use of texture and color in that particular piece. They’re all great!
The designer behind “The Looking Glass” has made another version of the poster. You can check it out here.
Love old skool and retro art work, my fav poster has to be Reservoir Dogs!
Good movie and poster design. I think Crayola crayons kind of scream retro. Thanks Daniel!
Some really great stuff – I love “Comrades of Steel”, “Bullitt” and “Reservoir Dogs” Crayola style!
great post as usual!
The poster for American Power features the Newgrounds Tank Logo. That threw me for a loop.
I have some retro poster on my blog, I also see that http://www.pabloamorim.com.br/blog/2010/09/retro-posters/
these are great images ! love retro !!!
love it
Not bad – however, on the poster of Bullit, you don’t actually see the reflection of a Ford Mustang: in that case the horse’d be running the other way.
Great selection of retro poster design. You can’t beat a few grunge scratches and torn edges with some cool design!