56 Retro Media Makeovers
From Cassette Tape Watches to Microwaved CDs as Art:
Katherinev123 — Nov 27, 2009 — Art & Design
Living in the age of iPods and MP3s, I’m sure most people have eschewed CDs and virtually all have done away with cassettes, vinyl records, and rotary phones. While we may not use these oldschool media devices anymore (as they were meant to be used) that doesn’t mean we aren’t reinventing them—giving them new functionality that applies to our modern living standards or using them in creative artwork. With everything from rotary phone watches to VCRs as kitchen appliances, this collection is dedicated to retro media makeovers.
54
DIY Gifts for Geeks
From Keyboard Cufflinks to Cassette Tape Belt Buckles
53
Recycled Record Sculptures
10 Reinvented Vintage Vinyls
52
Cassette Tape Paintings
Iri5's 'Ghost in the Machine' Series Depicts Famous Media Icons
51
Old Vinyl Lighting
Lockengeloet's Repurposed Vinyl Records Give LPs a New Life
50
Retro Record Bags
Handbag Designers Take Inspiration From 60's Vinyl and Guitars
49
Floating Vinyl
The 'Void' Plays Vintage-Style Records in Mid Air
48
Records As A Canvas
Vinyl Art by Daniel Edlen
47
Cassette iPod Cases
Retro MP3 Case From 45's Disguises Your Gadgets
46
Rotary Phone Watches
The Zihotch Retro Phone Watch
45
Cassette Tape Canvases
Sami Havi's Eco Art
44
Microwaved CDs as Art
Sizzling Hot Images
43
Artistic Vinyl Canvases
The 'Record Time' Collection Exhibits Designs From 24 Artists
42
Personalized Record Jewelry
Junkprints' Recycled Vinyl Necklaces Honor Retro Music
41
Obsolete Cassette Tape Lighting
Modern Light Designs by Transparent House
40
Cassette Purses
A High Fashion Transparent Bag That Looks Like a Tape
39
Vinyl Books
‘Extraordinary Records' Explores the World of Retro Albums
38
Retro Phone Cars
Howard Davis's VW Beetle Mod
37
Re-Purposing Old Technology
Cassette Chic Designs for Modern Times
36
Mixtape USB Ports
USB Data Storage for the Romantic Type
35
Remixed Eco Art Mediums
Cassette Tape Skeletons
34
Cassette Belt Buckles
You're Not Cool Enough to Pull it Off
33
Faux Brick Phones
Carry Your New Mobile Like Your Old School Cell Phone
32
Cassette Skulls
Brian Dettmer Recycles Old Tapes into Spooky Art
31
CDs as Wall Art
The Qubo Lets You Frame and Flaunt Your Old School Music Tracks
30
80s Art Album Covers
Indie Records Feature Retro Rainbows & Spectrums
29
Motorcyle Art
Motorbike Concept from Recycled VCR and PC parts
28
Cassette Tape Lamps
Reviving Old Flavor for Hip Home Decor
27
Casette Tape Watches
The Horological Machine No. 2.2 is a Retro Black Beauty
26
The Return of the Mix Tape
Sharing Music With Mixaloo
25
Old School Tech Wallets
Retro Pocket Wear Likes Like An Old Cassette Tape
24
Remembering The Cassette
Mix Tape USB Case
23
Cassette Tape Couture
Pierre Andre Senizergues Fall 2009 Collection is Skateboarder Green
22
Self-Pressed Records
Yuri Suzuki's Amateur Music Production System Warps Records
21
Retro Christmas TV Specials
Betamaxmas Features Rabbit Ears and Vintage Shows
20
Phonograph Speakers
The Awesome Retro Little Horn Speakers Come Back From the Past
19
Drinking Game Mixtapes
The Christmas Power Hour
18
Vinyl Clocks
Like Minded Studios' ‘Record Time Clocks' Make Punctuality Cool
17
Cassette Wallets
Make Your Purse A Work Of Art
16
Retro Vinyl Revivals
Nilox NX100R Converts Vinyls to MP3 Player
15
Fake Cassette Cases
Contexture Design Creates Retro-Style Holders for iPod Nanos
14
Retro Music Converters
Novac MV-CM001U Turns Cassette Tapes Into MP3s
13
DIY Retro Phone Revamps
Turn Your Old Rotary Telephone Into a Lamp
12
Recycling Outdated Technology
The Cassette Tape Closet
11
Retro Reinvented
Cassette Tape MP3 Player (Actually Works in a Cassette Deck)
10
Cassette Taxidermy
Brian Dettmer Crafts Unused Tapes into Skeletons
9
Bookified Records
Huw Gwilliam Takes Classic Records and Transforms Them Into Novels
8
Rad Recycled Records
Obsolete Records & CDs Find a New Life
7
Retro USB Replicas
The Cassette Tape USB Hub Mixes the Past with the Present
6
90s Rap Resurrections
Death Row Records is Rising from the Dead for Video Games
5
Mixtape Romances
'Cassette from My Ex' Melds Music With Relationships
4
Tapeography
Ersinhan Ersin Uses Old School Tapes to Create Cassette Tape Texts
3
VCRs as Kitchen Appliances
The VHS Toaster Brands Wonderbread With Techie Goodness
2
Geeky Galactic Gramophones
The Star Wars Record Player Will Make Nerds Happy
1
Old School Recorders
The USB Spherical Microphone Keeps Your Sounds Fresh
Related Ideas
Next-Gen Retro Audio Players
The 'FiiO M21' is a Sleek and Affordable Digital Audio Device
Cyberpunk DJ Console Concepts
The Image Creates the MIDI Controller Concept
Distorted Dial Watch Collection
Nixon Unveiled The 4th Dimension Series of Watches
Sleek Retro Console Remakes
Retro Games Ltd. Announced 'THEC64 Mini' Commodore 64 Remake
Retro Tech Phone Accessories
The Native Union POP Phone Works with Any USB-C Device
Translucent Pocket Cameras
The ClearCam Brings Y2K Style into Modern Photography with Clear Design
Industrial Elite Audio Turntables
These New Michell Audio Turntables Come in Two Models
Portable Cd Music Players
Fiio DM15 R2R Portable CD Player Revives Physical Media with Modern Tech
Revived Compact CD Players
The Fiio DM15 R2R Blends Classic Discs with Modern Flexibility
Nostalgic Colorful Casette Players
We Are Rewind Introduces the Retro WE-001 EDITH Device
Retro Gaming Handhelds
Evercade Nexus Brings Physical Cartridges Back to Portable Gaming
Visceral Record Turntables
Orbit Kinetic Turntable Revels in Music Through Flipping Wooden Tiles
Modern Digital Art Displays
The Tuneshine Device Restores Album Art to Center Stage
Wireless Cassette Players
Gadhouse’s Miko Cassette Player Has Bluetooth-Enabled Analog Playback
Digital Personality Alarm Clocks
The Alarm O’clock from The Real Objects is Playful
Vintage Retro Futurism Timepieces
The Casio AQ-240E-3A Has an Analog-Digital Design
Modernized Portable Music Devices
The Conceptual TL-1 Music Player by Hunny Modi is Nostalgic
80s Era Clock Collections
The Braun x NEIGHBORHOOD Clock Collection Revives Classic Products
Retro Music Players
ClassiPod Delivers Offline Music Playback With iPod Classic Feel
Modernized Boomboxes
We Are Rewind Revives the Boombox with Retro-Inspired GB-001 Cassette Player
Retro Calculator Watches
The Casio CA-500WEBF Watch Honors Back to the Future’s 40th Anniversary
Digital Makeup Zines
MAC Cosmetics is Reviving MACzine, Digitally, for a New Generation
Multi-Format Boomboxes
The 'Bumpboxx BB-777' Combines Cassette, Cd, Radio and Bluetooth Playback
Fashion House Checkered Vinyls
Burberry Presents a Special Vinyl Record with an Optical Illusion
Cassette Player Colorway Expansions
Pink Player ‘Edith’ Adds Flair to We Are Rewind’s Retro Lineup
Vintage-Inspired Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Instax Evo Cinema Has Film Looks in an Instant Camera
Y2K-Inspired CD Players
BEAMS Records Portable CD Player Embraces a Nostalgic Style
Ai-Powered Recipe-Generating Appliance
The Kitchen Cosmo Reimagines Kitchen Design Through Utility
Cafe Budget Retro Cameras
Starbucks Retro Camera Brings Dual-Sensor Digital Shooting to 2025
Hybrid Hi-Fi Systems
Analog Plus Combines Vinyl and CD Playback in One Concentric Design
Art-Integrated Tech Accessories
The CASETiFY x Tate Collection Reimagines Iconic Artwork
Modern Physical Digital Players
The Conceptual A Cartridge-Based Audio Player Ensa
Compact Cassette-Inspired Music Players
FiiO's Snowsky Launched the Snowsky Retro Nano
Opulent Retro-Style Turntables
The Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 3000c Revives a Classic 80s Model
Throwback Audio Experiences
The Stranger Things Recap Cassette Delivers a Cinematic Retro Recap
Retro-Futuristic Collector Watches
Marvel and G-Shock Join Forces to Honor Fantastic Four
Mini Camera Collectibles
Kodak's Charmera Blind Boxes Reveal Tiny Devices That Actually Take Shots
Nostalgic Gaming Devices
The Playdate Handheld Console Reimagines Retro Gameplay with Modernity
Modernized Mobile Cassette Players
The Maxell MXCP-P100 Has Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C and More
Retro TV Pet Houses
CRT Pet House by Burnski Recreates a Vintage Television Form using 3D Printing
Photography-Inspired Vintage Capsules
The Reebok x Kodak Capsule Collection Reimagines 90s Culture
90s-Era Computer Smartwatches
The Apple Watch G3 Concept by Saffy Creatives is Nostalgic
Retro OLED Concepts
Samsung’s AI OLED Cassette and AI OLED Turntable Highlight Nostalgia
Kinetic Pattern Clocks
The Moiré Clock Makes Hours Appear and Disappear Through Shifting Patterns
AI-Powered Memory Care Devices
TBWA\HAKUHODO's Radio Time Machine Supports Elderly Well-Being
Digital Clock Displays
Clocks for iOS Turns Devices Into Elegant Clock Displays
Museum-Collaborative Instant Cameras
Polaroid Presents the Now Generation 3 MoMA Camera Edition
Retro Phone Experiences
Brick 1100 Recreates Classic Mobile Simplicity On Modern Smartphones
Technologically Enhanced Electronic Handbags
Nik Bentel Studio Debuts the Speaker Bag & Mixer Bag
Cubic Industrial Phone Models
This Minimalist Phone Concept by Keziah Mendjisky is Utilitarian
Minimalist CD Player Peripherals
The TINYL 'COVER' Gives the Humble CD Player a Modern Overhaul
Rad Retro-Style Smartwatches
The Conceptual Retro‑Future Wrist Tech by Jacek Janiczak is Stylish
Retro AI Radio Stations
The Fizz FM is the First Branded Radio Station Made Entirely with AI
Crocheted Condiment Covers
Heinz's Grandma’s Darling Campaign Dresses Up Mayo Jars
Revived Analog Cameras
The Lomo MC-A Film Camera Unveils Analogue Shooting with USB-C Recharge
Unexpected Artful Headphone Wraps
Johannes Vermeer-Inspired Wrap Turns Headphones into Art
Art Gallery Turntables
Audio-Technica Turntable Concept Treats Vinyl Playback as Art Display
Retro Game Watches
Pokémon Gold Wrist Build Recreates the Classic Game on Custom Hardware
Retro Audio Systems
TRETTITRE Retro Back to the Future Blends Analog Formats with Streaming
Nostalgic Compact Clear Cassettes
The Retrospekt CP-81 Reintroduces Tape Culture with Modern Style
Modernized Nostalgic Toys
Tin Can Offers a Novel Approach to Children's Communication
High-Tech Phone Cases
TORRAS Calls Attention to Phone Case 3.0 — "The Era of Creation"
Anniversary Audio Lines
The Centennial Collection marks 100 years with commemorative re-editions
Pop Band Cassette Players
The We Are Rewind WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition Offers Hi-Fi Sound
Analog-Themed Camera Campaigns
Polaroid Launched 'The Camera for an Analog Life'
Charming Retro Storage
This Floppy Disk Inspired SD Card Concept Brings Forth Vintage Style
Retro Tech Speakerphones
Native Union Introduces the POP Phone as a Vintage-Style Speakerphone
Retro-Inspired Instant Cameras
The Polaroid Flip Camera Features a Four-Lens System and Autofocus
Joint Vintage Limited Turntables
MoFi Joins Fender on the American Vintage Turntable
Hybrid Camera Headphones
The MusicCam Concept Blends Bone-Conduction Audio with Built-In 2k Video
Tactile Digital Cameras
Camera (1) imagines a tactile digicam for a screen-tired generation
Vintage Photo Makers
Retrova Transforms Digital Photos Into Custom Vintage-Style Polaroids
All-in-One Turntable Systems
Victrola Soundstage Offers Compact Vinyl Playback at CES 2026
Clean Modern Turntables
The Technics SL-40CBT Blends Heritage Direct Drive with Bluetooth Ease
Vintage Imaging Kits
PGYTECH RetroVa Turns iPhones into Vintage Photo Systems
Retro Audio Cabinets
Arcade Game-Shaped Cabinet by Love Hultén Plays Vinyl and Cassette Tapes
Retro Cinema Collectibles
The Light-Up Delorean Popcorn Bucket and Cup for Amc 40th Anniversary
Redefining Screen-Free Cameras
Camp Snap Arrives at Target as a Mindful Disconnection
Material Memory Watches
The Col&McArthur Normandie 1944 Watch Embeds Real Historical Elements
Vibrant Retro Handheld Gaming
Retroid Designs the Pocket Classic Gaming Device
See-Through Cartridge Gaming Consoles
The ModRetro M64 Revives 90s Technology in a Modern Way
Retro Goggle-Style Gamer Accessories
The Nintendo Classics Virtual Boy Revives a 90s Console
Minimal Meeting Clocks
The CAST Concept Clock Records and Summarizes Meetings in Timeless Form
Revived Retro Headphones
The Wesley Headphones Deliver 1980s Charm with Modern Audio Performance
Anniversary-Honoring Sound Systems
The Brionvega Radiofonografo is Arriving in a New Model
Next-Gen Record Players
Crosley Unveils the 'C65 Record Player'
Retro Cartridge Jukebox
Pokémon Red & Blue Game Music Collection: Game Boy Jukebox Revives 8-Bits
Transparent Neon Audio Collection
km5 Neon Collection Updates CD Players and Headphones with Color
Transparent Audio CD Players
Clearframe CD Player Makes Album Art the Main Focus of the Experience
Freestanding Retro Gaming Systems
The Vectrex Mini Revives a Classic Video Game System
Desktop Display Gadgets
Minitoo Retro Pc Style Device Combines Alarm Clock, Speaker, and Display
Futuristic Vintage Headphones
The Ricoh Space Age Headphone Has Retro Design and Modern Audio Tech
Retro Tech-Inspired Headphones
The km5 Lightwear Headphones Hp1 Have a Lightweight Design
Reprogrammable Surface Printing Devices
MIT ChromoLCD Turns Surfaces Into Rewritable Canvases
Retro Audio Collections
Philips Moving Sound Lineup Includes Speakers, Earbuds, & Headphones
Retro Puzzle Block Computers
Lego Fan Build Recreates a Vintage Pc with Interchangeable Screens
Wacky Design Smartphones
Nothing, Motorola, and Others Embrace Playful Phone Experimentation
Minimalist Transparent CD Players
Yanko Design Spotlights Analog by Arindam Kalita
Modern Vintage-Inspired Turntables
Gadhouse Introduces its 'Henry Turntable'
Modern Museum Instant Cameras
The Polaroid Now Generation 3 MoMA Edition is Playful
Soundtrack-Integrated Print Media
Radioposter Merged Audio Storytelling with Physical Books &Zines
Retro Music Platforms
Retro Play Streams Pre-2011 Music Videos With Curated Playback
Nostalgic Timeless Click Devices
This 3D-Printed iPod Classic Fidget Toy Revives Tactile Memory
Retro Snack Cake Campaigns
Vachon's Rosettes Campaign Stirs Nostalgia in Gen X and Millennials
Handheld Voice Recorder Toys
Smith Brands Introduced talkBAK at the Toy Fair New York
Adorable Mini Instant Cameras
The Retro Digital Toy Camera Brings Tiny Photo Capture to Keychains
Retro Software DIY Handhelds
DIY Retro Windows 98 Handheld Computer is Old-school Inside and Out
Modern Vinyl Classics
The Orange O Turntable Rethinks Classic Vinyl Style with Modern Engineering
Chunky Retro Instant Cameras
The Polaroid Flip Instant Camera is a Designed for Analog-First Shots
Daily Ritual Objects
The Routines Collection by Morontacasanova Makes Moments Feel Like Ritual
Modernized Vintage-Inspired Alarm Clocks
The Roberts Ortus 5 Has a Full-Color TFT Display
Collectible Mini Cameras
The Photo Creator Mini Cam Lets Kids Snap Photos Without a Phone
Tape Measurable Time Devices
The Setime Clock Concept Makes Time Tangible and Interactive
Nostalgic Audio Interfaces
CassetteOne Blends Retro Design With Ambient Audio and Playlists
Colorful Retro Pixel Mirrors
The Paint Mirror Evokes Nostalgia with Its Pixel-Style Frame
Nostalgic Digital Cameras
The Cs-8 Digital Video Camera Brings Back the Art of Filmmaking
Portable Album Players
The ENSA P1 Portable Audio Player Uses Physical Music Cartridges
Nostalgic Handheld Video Cameras
The Camp Snap CS-8 Video Camera Records onto SD Cards
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Retro Nostalgic Computing Revivals
Ultimate 64 Revives Iconic C64 with Modern Updates
Retro Messaging Devices
The PIPPO Pager Reimagines Digital Communication with Nostalgic Design
Modern Sideways Audio Turntables
Waiting For Ideas Launches the PP-1 Turntable
Fashion-Forward Audio Design
The Luna Audio Concept Turns the Bluetooth Radio into Handbag Style
Turntable Speaker Systems
Crosley C65 Turntable System Includes Needed for Vinyl Playback
Vintage Puzzle Gramophones
LEGO Gramophone Recreates Hand-Cranked Charm with Vinyl & Crank Details
Luxe Compact Speakers
The Kiko Kostadinov Beats Pill Revives a Speaker a Portable Audio Icon
Mixtape Merch Capsules
Nicholas Daley Designs New Merchandise for Echo45 Sound System
Playable Gaming Archives
The Internet Archive Preserves 758 Retro PC Demo Discs
Disc Preservation Systems
CD Box RS2 Tube is a Standalone CD Recovery and Playback System
Color-Centric Kitchen Appliances
Thyme&Table's Refined Colors Accent the Heart of the Home
Upcycled AI Speaker Concepts
Xiaomi Mi 8 Retrofit Runs Gemini Ai Inside Retro TV Shell
Analog Nostalgia Installations
Back to Basics II Celebrates Retro Tech with Vivid Paper Sculptures
Retro Pastel Flip Clocks
Minimalist Flip Clock Concept Brings Retro Charm for Modern Desks
Guitar-Shaped Audio Players
Clearaudio Celebrity Al Di Meola Edition Mirrors an Instrument’s Form
Ring-Like Wearable Speakers
Yanko Design Introduced The Innovative Ring Speaker Concept
Retro Bluetooth Boomboxes
Bumpboxx BB-777 Brings Oversized Speakers and Cassettes to Modern Audio
Digital Time Capsules
FromPast Lets Users Send Messages And Media To The Future
Analog Photo Simulators
Vint Brings Legendary Film Stocks To Life In Real-Time For Photographers
Analog Study Timers
The Roma Mk.1 by Tomato Clocks Uses Dual Dials for Focused Work
Tape Deck Instruments
Magnetic Folklore Transforms Obsolete Tape Decks into Live Instruments