TREND: retro robots

The Original Metal Box Co robot clockBy Jenny Dalton

SERIOUSLY, when my mother was growing up in the 1950s and 60s, she and countless others genuinely believed they’d be being served by robots around now - such was the hype surrounding post-war robotics technology. 

And yet, despite constant and impressive developments, we seem further and further away from living the techno-servant dream. At the same time, we seem loathe to let go of the vintage robot aesthetic of half a century ago - even though the look has been very definitely superseded by today’s quest for near-human robots.

For Clifford Richards, who came to the fore of graphic design in the 1960s, the appeal of such robot aesthetics has never dated. “My robot designs are inspired by Japanese clockwork tin toys of the 50s and 60s. I have a small collection of them plus some more recent examples in plastic. They have an endearingly clumsy human quality that I find quite irresistible - and they’re great fun to do!” Richards’ work on a robotic tip includes mugs for Big Tomato Company, signature graphic identity for the Museum of Childhood in London and a new collection of robot metal clocks, pictured left, coming soon from The Original Metal Box Co. As far as possible he’s kept the clocks industrial and fairly ‘raw’ looking (so be warned, they’re not to play with) to mimic the age and patina of his tin toy collection.

pinkrobotsBut it’s not just the original 1960s’ generation who loves the vintage robo look. Aimee Wilder, the young wallpaper designer, finds the influence of those vintage tin toys a constant draw. “I love all the smooth, curved, and angular shapes and also the iconic expressions and personalities that artists create through their 2D representations of these amazing 3D machines and toys,” she says of her quirky coloured robot wallpaper - pictured right. Other modern-vintage robots we love include Vilac’s robot jigsaw puzzles, pictured in our gallery below, available from Elias & Grace in the UK, Bold & Noble’s hand-printed ‘Alphabot’ robot on recycled paper, and Blik’s robot wall stickers (also pictured below), from www.supernice.co.uk.