dear designboom reader,

some modern gadgets feature retro designs, from the barbie flip phone to the gaming controllers for smartphones. they draw their styles from the past and refresh them with new designs, as seen in rechargeable cassette players and the electronic instrument that plays medieval sounds.

retro designs can stir nostalgia, bringing back the familiar feel associated with simpler times. some even attempt to preserve their appearance through photo books, which have been a medium that captures visual nostalgia, from technology to culture and architecture.

thanks for reading!

matthew burgos | editor