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The words “retro” and “vintage” are too generic and ambiguous. When someone says, “What a beautiful retro illustration…,” my response is: Excuse me? Which time period are you referring to? Do you mean the rubber hose era of Mickey Mouse, the style of Dexter’s Laboratory, or a more realistic touch like the early Superman comics? It’s incoherent!

You see, when these words are used without context, they can refer to anything. “Retro” or “vintage” could describe an Art Nouveau poster, a 1950s chair, or a song from the Prohibition era, among other things. I had a small disagreement with one of my mentors when I complimented them by saying they “illustrate vintage.” At first, I didn’t understand, but now it all makes sense. It’s the correct way to use those words when applied to a graphic style within a specific time frame.

The style I draw in is called “mid-century,” which encompasses the era from the 1940s with the advent of television to the 1970s. Mid-century style is reflected in architecture and music, embodying the perfect representation of living the American dream.

Let’s use an example where someone illustrated Fred Flintstone in a particular style, and we’ll show what can be said correctly and what cannot:

Correct: “The drawing of Fred Flintstone has a vintage style that perfectly captures the aesthetic of 1960s animation.”

Incorrect: “The drawing of Fred Flintstone is vintage, right?” (Lacks context about what specific aspect of the drawing is considered “vintage”).

Correct: “I love how the drawing of Fred Flintstone incorporates vintage elements in its design, like the clean lines and vibrant colors.”

Incorrect: “The drawing of Fred Flintstone is so vintage.” (Fails to specify which aspects of the drawing make it “vintage”).

Correct: “The vintage aesthetic of the drawing of Fred Flintstone reflects the fashion and style of the 1960s.”

Incorrect: “Isn’t it great that the drawing of Fred Flintstone is vintage?” (Fails to specify which design aspects are considered “vintage”).

 

This article is short but serves as a clarification on how to use these words correctly, as context is crucial for their proper use. Be careful when using them, and thank you very much!