Memphis Design
A postmodern movement featuring bold colors, geometric shapes, and playful patterns that deliberately defied conventional good taste.
Live Demo
Interactive Memphis Design Demo
Origins & History
The Memphis Group was founded in Milan in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass and a group of young designers. The name came from the Bob Dylan song 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again' which played during their first meeting.
Memphis deliberately rejected the functionalism and minimalism of previous design movements. Their furniture, textiles, and graphics featured clashing colors, asymmetric shapes, and seemingly arbitrary decorative elements.
Memphis profoundly influenced 1980s visual culture and has experienced revivals in the 2010s and beyond. Its playful, anti-establishment aesthetic appears in contemporary branding, fashion, and web design seeking to stand out from minimalist trends.
Key Characteristics
- Bold, clashing color combinations
- Geometric shapes and squiggles
- Terrazzo and confetti patterns
- Asymmetric compositions
- Playful, anti-functional decoration
- Mix of materials and textures
Why This Demo Is Authentic
This implementation faithfully recreates the Memphis Design through careful attention to typography, grid systems, color usage, and compositional principles documented in the original movement. Every design decision is grounded in historical research.
Style Guide
VAG Rounded
Secondary: Cooper Black
Memphis typography is playful and bold, often featuring rounded or chunky letterforms. Multiple...
Deliberately chaotic, anti-grid compositions