Dark Academia Aesthetic – The Opposite of Frutiger Aero

For my upcycle project, I am making a tissue box/lamp that follows the Frutiger Aero/Frutiger Aqua aesthetic. In this post, I will explore what my project might look like if I chose the opposite aesthetic, dark academia.

Frutiger Aero is an aesthetic that emerged in the late-2000s, characterized by sleek, glossy visuals, organic shapes, and a sense of futuristic optimism. It features elements like soft gradients, transparent bubbles, nature-inspired imagery (such as water, grass, and leaves), and a heavy use of reflections and light effects. This style was widely seen in user interface design, corporate branding, and product packaging, especially in operating systems like Windows Vista and Nintendo products of the period.

In contrast, Dark Academia is an aesthetic that celebrates learning, literature, and classic art with a mysterious and old-fashioned feel. It’s inspired by old universities, gothic architecture, and classic books, often focusing on deep thinking and a love for knowledge. The style includes dark, muted colors, vintage clothes like blazers and turtlenecks, and cozy settings with books, candles, and antique decor. It’s also influenced by writers like Oscar Wilde and Mary Shelley, with a love for poetry, philosophy, and a bit of the spooky or dramatic.

Dark Academia and Frutiger Aero are opposites in both tone and aesthetic. Dark Academia is moody, nostalgic, and focused on the past, with dark colors, vintage fashion, and a love for old books and gothic architecture. It romanticizes intellectualism and melancholy. In contrast, Frutiger Aero is bright, futuristic, and optimistic, featuring glossy textures, nature-inspired elements, and a sense of sleek modernity. While Dark Academia embraces mystery and the old world, Frutiger Aero looks forward with a clean, tech-inspired aesthetic full of light and transparency.

My project used colors that are bright and shiny, including a clear blue acrylic and smooth white. additionally, the shapes of my project are very organic, with a lack of small details. If I were to build my project in the dark academia aesthetic, there are a few things I would change:

In terms of materials, dark academia uses lots of books, dark wood, and detailed carpet material. I could replace the bright colors that I am using with wood finishes, the front of books, and potential even pieces of carpet.

The lighting element of my project uses a cool white color. To match the dark academia aesthetic, I could replace it was a warm white color, with an ornate lampshade that has the same characteristics.

Below is an image I found of what style it could look like, both with a real reference and one I generated using ChatGPT.

Credits:

Cover Image: https://www.aestheticroomcore.com/products/dark-academia-tissue-box?variant=46401283883232

Picture 1: https://widgetopia.io/widget/aqua-frutiger-aero

Picture 2: https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/dark-academia-aesthetic-style/

Picture 3: https://www.sadieseasongoods.com/dark-academia-decor/

Picture 4: https://www.theotheraesthetic.com/blog/dark-academia-room-ideas/

Picture 5: https://www.aestheticroomcore.com/products/dark-academia-tissue-box?variant=46401283883232

ChatGPT used for research on dark academia.