{"id":59595,"date":"2022-05-09T14:21:34","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T21:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativemarket.com\/blog\/?p=59595"},"modified":"2026-09-18T02:31:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T09:31:23","slug":"recreate-the-look-80s-editorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativemarket.com\/blog\/recreate-the-look-80s-editorial","title":{"rendered":"How to Create an 80s Editorial Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/span>The bold, textured look of 1980s editorial design is having another moment.<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Think oversized headlines, condensed type, high-contrast layouts, cutout photography, and the slightly imperfect texture of vintage print. The 80s brought a new visual language to editorial pages, advertising, magazines, and other print publications, shaped by emerging technology, bold campaigns, and the limitations and possibilities of print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, those same ideas are finding their way back into posters, branding, magazines, social media posts, and digital design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this tutorial, we’ll break down the key elements of 80s editorial design and show you how to recreate the look in Photoshop from choosing the right retro fonts to building an editorial layout and adding an offset-print texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll explore two different approaches to the style, plus a free grain texture you can use to give your own work that printed, slightly imperfect finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyped about the whole retro look? We\u2019ve got you covered! Download the free film grain JPG in this tutorial and use custom blend modes to layer it into your next 80s editorial design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlock Your Creativity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Creative Market member, you can save 20% on<\/a> more than 6 million design assets like the ones we\u2019ll use in this tutorial, plus a free Drop worth up to $1,000 every month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Save<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

<\/span>About The Look<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 1980s marked a distinct shift in graphic design and the way editors, publishers, and designers approached printed content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial pages, advertisements, newspapers, and magazines all had to compete for readers’ attention, which made typography, photography, and composition increasingly important.The same visual language could appear across a magazine article, a newspaper spread, an advertising campaign, or a brand publication, with the layout changing according to the message and audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyday life was changing, too. Personal computers were making their way into homes, digital tools were beginning to influence the design process, and pop culture was full of futuristic references. Films like Blade Runner<\/em> and The Terminator<\/em> imagined very different versions of the future, while brands such as Apple, Nike, and Volkswagen were pushing print advertising in new directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That atmosphere had a big influence on 80s graphic design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Print advertising became increasingly image-led and statement-driven. Typography was often large and attention-grabbing, while photography was given plenty of space to make an impact. The result was a style that could feel polished and experimental at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So,what makes an 80s editorial design feel, well, 80s?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Key Elements of 80s Editorial Design and Unicode Characters<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n