Steampunk is a subculture that grew out of the science fiction genre in the early 20th century. It is based on the aesthetics of steam-powered machinery and Victorian-era technology, such as clockwork orpunk outfits. Steampunk stories often use alternate history and fantasy elements to explore themes of science versus magic, independence, or society’s reaction to new technologies. Steampunk has inspired both film and media franchises such as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Victor Gijssel’s miniseries adaptation of book series The Dark Days Club.
But what is it about this aesthetic that makes it work so well? Let’s take a look at why you should consider incorporating steampunk into your own business or brand.
Steampunk Characters Are Iconic
One of the most recognizable aspects of steampunk is the character. Steampunk characters are often reminiscent of Victorian era comic book heroes like Batman or Robin Hood. These iconic figures have defined the aesthetic and helped to spread the word about steampunk. One reason why steampunk characters are so memorable is that they break stereotypes, such as it being an exclusively male genre. With these new depictions, there has been a change in what people think about when they think about steampunk.
A major benefit to having a unique character is that it allows for them to be easily differentiated from other similar brands. For example, let’s say you own a clothing store with a more traditional aesthetic and you wanted to reach out to new customers by marketing your business online. A problem many businesses encounter is that their aesthetic is too close in comparison to their competitors, making it harder for people to find them on social media or other digital platforms. But if you had a steampunk-themed character, this could help establish your brand as different than some of your competitors who may also be marketing on social media networks.
Steampunk Is Well-Understood
Steampunk is a well-understood aesthetic and is easy to relate to. It’s less intimidating than creating an entirely new look and has no fixed rules or guidelines.
If you want your brand to be taken seriously, incorporate the steampunk aesthetic. Steampunk is less threatening than something like sci-fi and it makes for a great contrast with your current branding strategy. Additionally, people are more likely to buy from brands that have a sense of humor about themselves rather than those who don’t.
Steampunk Influences Thought
Steampunk is a popular genre because it’s thought-provoking. It offers an imaginative alternative to the real world and asks questions about what happens when technology inserts itself into society. The aesthetic, which is built around steam-powered machinery that totally dominates the lives of its inhabitants, makes this choice all the more intriguing.
The Victorian-era aesthetic that steampunk is based on also begs viewers to ask questions about their own role in society. We are so locked into our phones and other devices that we don’t have time to think about what’s happening in the world around us. Steampunk helps us have those conversations by forcing us to imagine a different kind of life than we’re used to living.
Steampunk is Trending
Steampunk is one of the biggest trends in fashion right now. As a result, it’s important to consider whether you should use this trend in your marketing campaign or not. Although steampunk has been around for awhile, it is still a relatively new trend and is still gaining momentum. This means there are no hard-and-fast rules on how to effectively use steampunk in your marketing strategy yet.
The best way to decide on the effectiveness of using steampunk as part of your marketing strategy is by looking at which other businesses are already doing it. For example, if you’re just getting started with digital marketing and want an effective way to differentiate yourself from your competitors, steampunk could be an excellent choice for you. Steampunk will help you stand out from other businesses and separate yourself from the competition.
Steampunk Is Relevant to Today’s World
Steampunk has been around for a long time, but its roots are in the early 20th century. This means that it is relevant to today’s world. Steampunk works because it provides an escape into a different time period where things were a lot simpler and easier. Steampunk is also escapist enough that people can still dream of what could be and not have to worry about the mundane daily struggles of life.
Steampunk appeals to those who love different styles and aesthetics, as well as readers who enjoy science fiction or fantasy genres. As such, it has become more popular in recent years with people wanting something fresh and new in their day-to-day lives. It’s also why steampunk is so often used in an effort to market fashion through social media influencers like Kylie Jenner, Sadie Calvano, and Gigi Hadid.
Furthermore, steampunk offers a unique perspective on gender roles and norms because it allows consumers to think outside traditional gender norms as they explore this alternate universe. This gives consumers the freedom to choose which traits they want their ideal selves or characters to possess or change versus being given specific roles based on sex or birth status (i.e., “good guy” or “girl”).
Conclusion
Steampunk is a style of art and fashion that has become popular in the last few decades, so naturally it has seen a lot of adoption in pop culture. As a result, it is difficult to discern whether or not it’s a fad that will soon die out. However, the fact that it has continued to gain popularity over the years indicates that it is an art style that is likely to stick around for quite some time.
