Designs of the Week: Steampunk

Mix modern technology with vintage Victorian style and science fiction whimsy, and you’ve got the recipe for Steampunk. Steampunk has recently emerged from relative obscurity, popping up in modern products, fashion and art. Bizarre? Yes. Wacky? Absolutely. But rather than just scratch our heads, let’s dive into the design DNA behind this mysterious trend and the products that fascinate us.

This unique and attention-grabbing style shows a deep appreciation for an era of ornate machinery and honest materials. It brings forth a whimsical and utopian aesthetic, deeply influenced by the scientific romances of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.

1. Steampunk watch cufflinks

Etsy incorporated real clock parts into a cufflink, creating an effect that graphic designer and computer scientist John Maeda calls the “simplicity of the complicated”. We are drawn to the multiple layers of visual reads on this product. It starts as an understated small circular cufflink. Upon closer examination, you see the intricate components of the clock-maker’s gears. And finally, you notice the detail of the revealed brass components, exposed screws and subtle application of color. A playful conversation starter at any dinner party.

2. Steampunk computer station

Transparency of machine function has definitely made its way back onto the scene. There is just something romantic about the feel of brass machines that were run by steam and coal, rather than micro-chips hidden behind shiny plastic covers. While this computer station is not for sale on the mass market, it is a gorgeous example of a combination of Steampunk styling and user customization.

3. “Thin White Duke” table lamp

Table lamp meets 1950s time machine. The contrast of dark organic shapes against old technology makes this lamp a stunningly detailed piece. Who would have thought? This particular style is being called “Retro Futurism” by Steampunk fans everywhere. It is entirely handcrafted of solid mahogany, brass, glass, bronze mesh and steel.

4. The ANTIQUA watch

The ANTIQUA watch is equipped with a mysterious automatic winding rotor patented by Vianney Halter. Each watch takes 1,000 hours to make, complete with a case made of more than 300 different parts. The Victorian science fiction styling aptly reflects the romance of this labor of love, from the hand engraving to the riveted portholes to the mystery behind its perpetual motion.

5. The 2008 Confederate Renaissance Fighter

Only 45 of these beasts were made as a special offering from Neiman Marcus this Christmas. Steampunk hits the luxury market with this $110,000 limited-edition motorcycle. The bike’s eye-catching chassis was carved from a single piece of metal. It must be the new hip thing to do, seeing as how Apple just used the same approach for its new laptop case. The chassis showcases the engineering through reveals in a single piece of metal. This is styling at its best, where the utility of the vehicle is styled rather than hidden from sight.

(This article was contributed by the design and business consultancy, 3Strand Innovation.)

This segment is a part in the series : Designs of the Week