# Retro Sci-Fi Illustrations Matthew Lyons Illustrates the Past in Abstract Forms By Meghan Young | Published 2010-01-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matthew-lyons References: [swipelife](http://swipelife.com/2010/01/13/the-works-of-matthew-lyons/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:) & [matthew-lyons.blogspot](http://matthew-lyons.blogspot.com/) At first glance, I wasn’t particularly drawn to Matthew Lyons’s work, but I decided to give it a chance and as soon as I started to click through the images on SwipeLife.com, I was smitten. I suspect it was the lead image that threw me off (the mountainous one). Yet, his [poster-like illustrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artist-logo-remix) are clever and nostalgic. With an [abstract, vintage feel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stellar), it's kind of eerie--not the actual work, but the fact that Matthew Lyons, merely 21-years-old, can “[capture the past so well](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrova),” as Swipe Life puts it. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Abstract Retro Illustrations:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating abstract retro illustrations for various media platforms. - **Nostalgic Artwork:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in producing artwork that evokes nostalgia and sentimentality for a modern audience. - **Youthful Talent:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in showcasing and supporting young artists with remarkable skills in capturing the essence of the past through art. ### Where This Applies - **Graphic Design:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in graphic design by incorporating abstract retro illustrations into branding and marketing campaigns. - **Art and Culture:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the art industry by embracing and promoting nostalgic artwork that resonates with audiences. - **Publishing and Media:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in publishing and media industries by featuring the work of youthful talents who excel at depicting the past in abstract forms. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Retro Space-Themed Puzzled Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-carter.md) - [Sci-Fi-Inspired Classical Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sen-donnan.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Analog Nostalgia Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/back-to-basics-ii.md) - [AI-Generated Real-World Transformations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-generated-world.md) - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Digital City-Inspired Art Works](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-central-station.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Physics-Informed Digital Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motion-sculpture.md)