Innovative Nostalgia

Designing the future by referring to the past

Innovative Nostalgia is a design strategy that aims to smooth technological change by linking newfangled technologies with familiar phenomena. We feel more comfortable with technological changes when they are wrapped in a recognizable packaging by referring to accepted objects, habits, values, traditions or intuitions. Linking modern technologies with old familiar phenomena: the nostalgia can refer to a phenomenon from your youth, your grandparents life, or even the ancient history of humankind. Back to the natural future?

Staff Picks

‘Innovative nostalgia combines an understanding of the future with proven qualities of the past’
Innovative Nostalgia
Koert van Mensvoort

A battle is underway between designers and engineers; at stake is the design of our technological future. It rages subtly ...

Farming of the Future

The future of farming is not to be found in further mass-industrialization nor in the return to farming with man and horse power, but rather in swarms of smart, cheap robotic farmers that patiently seed, tend and harvest fields one plant at a time without the need for damaging pesticides.

Visual of Your Grandparents Google

Your Grandparents Google

Yes Child. Back in the days before computers existed we Googled by postcard.Although it exists for less than 20 years...

Visual of Voodoo Phone

Voodoo Phone

Japanese professor Hiroshi Ishiguro from Osaka University has quite a track record of threading the uncanny valley. Remember his Doppelgänger...

Visual of Angel with Cellphone adorns Cathedral

Angel with Cellphone adorns Cathedral

To mark the twelve-year restoration of the Sint Jan cathedral in Den Bosch a new statue of an angel carrying...