Memphis Design Guide: Origin and Impact of Memphis Design

Memphis design was a retro design style created by a group of Italian architects and designers known as the Memphis group. Bonded by a mutual dislike of the minimalist design movement from the 1960s and 1970s, the group set out to design postmodern furniture, fabric, patterns, and ceramics inspired by art deco and pop art. Founded by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass in late 1980, the design group collaborated to create a style often described as kitschy and garish, centering around vibrant colors, geometric shapes, bold patterns, stripes, clashing colors, abstract designs, and plastic laminate.

While the design movement ended in 1987, around six years after its inception, it significantly impacted pop culture, inspiring the sets of classic television series like Saved by the Bell and Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Musician David Bowie and designer Karl Lagerfeld were among the design movement’s most notable fans.

The Memphis group, also known as Memphis Milano, created the postmodern design movement in Milan, Italy, in December 1980.

• Forming the group. Italian designer Ettore Sottsass founded the group during a late December meeting in 1980 with close friends who were architects and designers, including Nathalie du Pasquier, Alessandro Mendini, Michele De Lucchi, and Ettore Sottsass. The newly anointed Memphis group aimed to create a style that rebelled against the functional modern style and minimalism taken over the architecture scene. The group’s name was inspired by the Bob Dylan song, “Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again,” which was playing during their first meeting.
• Creating a movement. The Memphis group was created to elicit an emotional response against the wave of serious and understated design that came with modern architecture. Their unique, pricey furniture designs gained traction in the US, where, in 1982, thousands waited in line to view the group’s first collection in Manhattan, New York. By 1985, the group’s designs had caught the attention of national retailers who were selling furniture inspired by the eccentric design style. After riding a wave of mainstream popularity, demand for the style began to dwindle, and the group dismantled in 1988.
• Inspiring the future. While the Memphis Design was short-lived, it has continued to inspire pop culture and fashion. Fashion powerhouse Dior featured the bold design style in their 2011-2012 haute couture collection, and Missoni’s 2015 ready-to-wear winter collection featured pieces inspired by the design style.

Memphis design has a few key characteristics, such as:

• Bold patterns: Repetitive geometric patterns are another part of Memphis style. This graphic design contains many small shapes like triangles, squiggles, and circles in various contrasting colors. Some designs feature geometric shapes placed haphazardly, contributing to its telltale chaotic visual.
• Color clashes: Memphis design is colorful and often contains a blend of retro, clashing color palettes like neons, pastels, and flat colors.
• Stripes: Memphis design is known for boldly using black and white stripes. These stripes in a sea of color offer a starkly contrasted aesthetic that still manages to be fun and light.

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