The Victorian Age and Steampunk

Hidden within the dark depths of the moldering cesspool known as the Internet is an underground art style known as Steampunk. From movies to graphic novels to simple decoration, this style is based around the mechanical and unique look of the Victorian Age.

This style is characterized by large and complicated fonts with old-fashioned color schemes. The best example I can think of is The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen graphic novels (not that God-awful movie, mind you), which starred numerous literary heroes and villains from that particular time period. They even mimicked the look and feel of advertising and illustrations, with ads for cure-all medicines and ornate contraptions designed to eliminate “Page-Turner’s Peril.”

Interestingly, one cover mimicked the Japanese look that became popular during that Era.

There are many artists and metalsmiths who modify modern day items to look Victorian, such as this laptop.

While some deem the entire era of having overly complicated designs with horrible stretching crimes done to typefaces, I’ve always enjoyed the look of this style.

Personally, I think (and know) that simple designs follow this era. Stuff that’s easier to read at a glance.

- Sir Colin