“The words ‘hep’ and ‘hip’ both emerged in the US jazz scene, originally meaning ‘in the know’, used to describe those part of the scene or real fans of jazz who knew about the music and its musicians.”
The Hipster Background
Like the hipster revolution of the 1940’s, where youth of that day rallied against any sign of normalcy, todays hipsters do not believe in the traditional job, family life, and keeping up with the neighbours attitude. In the 1940’s, faced with war, racial divide and uncertainty of the future, these youngsters sought to live life, through art, jazz music, adventure. People of all walks denounced the trends of the upper class, fusing the fashion and trends of all racial backgrounds in one.
1940’s Hipster images link
Modern Day Hipster Style
In the simplest terms, modern day hipsters are elitist and exclusive, wanting only nonconformity with its peers. Its most common thread is the use irony to covey ideas – which is also found in the most iconic symbol of ‘hipster design’. Curly moustaches, beards, chunky plastic glasses, old school cameras, top hats, bow-ties and bicycles, are all icons of hipster fashion. In visuals, somehow antlers, dressed up animals, badges and knitwear patterns have gone in the mix. The more ironic the mix the better.
Fashion may be the ultimate end to the hipster movement (if there even is one currently) but the ‘hipster trend’ will be one for history … every wedding I have been to has had photo booths and moustaches on sticks.
Hipster Design Trend
Too hip to be cool: Hipster design is trending now with fashion, teens, retail design and weddings. Brands are using the trend to set themselves apart from the norm, giving customers a chance to express themselves and make statements. Usually the designs are unique, tongue-in-cheek, and sarcastic.
Hipster images link – here, here, here, here, here, here, here
Photos used are almost always altered, blending mix mediums or multiple photos or filters. Most photos are of nature, animals or a juxtaposition of content in a relaxed manner. Colours tend to be muted, browned, or greyed to make the image appear to be old.
Text use is a mix of simple thin san-sarif type such as INNERCITY , NORDICA & EXISTENCE LIGHT to iconic retro feel type font such as BUDMO, CODE , MENSCH , INTRO , SULLIVAN & WESTON. The key is to be minimal and direct (consider white text on photographs, or text in small areas of the design).
Vector images are a big addition to the hipster trend – badges, arrows and borders, symbols such as moustaches, cameras, antlers solidify the hipster design. Check out FREEPIX Vector Images – Hipster
For more Hipster design inspiration check out our Hipster Pinterest Board: