Space Age Design

Space Age design is a futuristic tendency associated especially with the 1960s and early 1970s. The Space Race, new materials and optimism about technology influenced furniture, lighting, radios, record players and household products.

Characteristics

Rounded or geometric forms, glossy surfaces, strong colours and a mechanical or futuristic appearance are common. Plastics, fibreglass, aluminium and moulded materials enabled spherical, pod-like, domed and UFO-inspired forms.

Background

The tendency became especially visible in the 1960s. Eero Aarnio, Verner Panton, Joe Colombo and Giancarlo Mattioli are associated with experimental design of the period. Space Age overlaps with Pop design and Modernism but was not one strictly defined school.

Identification and value

Not every 1960s or 1970s object is Space Age; a futuristic appearance should be central. Originality, maker, designer, model, documented age and condition affect interest. Cracks, discolouration and repairs to plastics often reduce it.