<!-- canonical: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/windows-95-instagram -->
<!-- robots: noindex -->

# Retro OS App Filters
Misha Petrick Designed What Windows 95 Instagram Would've Looked Like

By Hayley McGlone | Published 2016-08-03 | Tech
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/windows-95-instagram
References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/a-designer-imagined-how-awful-instagram-would-have-been-1784695615) & [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/art/instagram-windows-95-misha-petrick-08-01-2016/)

Misha Petrick designed a Windows 95 [Instagram](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instagram-teen-icons) to see what the popular social media platform would've looked like on the now outdated operating system.

Since smartphones didn't exist when Windows 95 was the latest operating system, Instagram would've been a desktop icon. Windows 95 had a limited color palette compared to modern operating systems, so uploaded photos and filters would have had less color offerings for users. User feeds would probably feature animated GIFs and low-res clipart. The pixelated Instagram logo is very reminiscent of the [Windows 95 screensavers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro95).

The images posted by Petrick showcase how some of the most popular social media platforms would likely not have been as popular as they are today. The images also showcase how much technology has developed in the past two decades.

Photo Credits: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/a-designer-imagined-how-awful-instagram-would-have-been-1784695615), [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/art/instagram-windows-95-misha-petrick-08-01-2016/)

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 6.1/10
- Popularity: 84% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial
- Top markets: North America, Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/computers)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Retro Social Media:** Creating social media apps with outdated operating system designs for nostalgic purposes.
- **Limited Color Palette Filters:** Designing unique filters that use a limited color palette for a vintage feel.
- **Nostalgic Design:** Incorporating a retro design into modern technology for a nostalgic experience.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Social Media:** Creating social media platforms/apps with a retro design for a new user experience.
- **Graphic Design:** Designing unique filters for social media/apps that use a limited color palette for a vintage feel.
- **Technology:** Incorporating a retro design into modern technology for a nostalgic experience in other industries such as video games, VR/AR and home appliances.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Expressive App Icons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instagram-teen-icons.md)
- [Vintage Photo Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retrova.md)
- [Software-Inspired Clog Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/windows-xp-crocs.md)
- [Nostalgic Web Browser Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ipod-social.md)
- [Private Social Photo Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-app.md)
- [Retro Software DIY Handhelds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-windows-98.md)
- [Nostalgic Desktop Computer Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/macintosh-computer-concept.md)
- [Millennium Operating System Sweaters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/windows-ugly-sweater-bliss-edition.md)
- [Photo-Centric Decentralized Medias](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bluesky-flashes.md)
