Traveling back in time with the Consumer Aesthetics Research Institute

Recommended by Iris Anais

A super fun hole to fall down especially if you're looking for inspiration and if you have any interest in different aesthetics that have ruled different eras of our lives, then it's a true goldmine. Each have an associated are.na board that acts as a mood board for each genre of aesthetic. Some favorites include blob world, new wave tropical, and radical surrealism.

CARI, or Consumer Aesthetics Research Institute, is an online community dedicated to developing a visual lexicon of consumer ephemera from the 1970s until now.

The Internet Can Be Cool (Genuine) Again

2 months ago

Comments

CarlyRed

@carly8e2Aug 22, 2026

Thanks!

Gracie

@graciegloAug 23, 2026

This is so cool

Rebecca Rachlin

@rebeccarachlinAug 24, 2026

Finally -the source of ultra specific marketplace descriptions

Across Rec League

Consumer Aesthetics Research Institute

eliza chase ¨̮

“I think I dreamt of this website. I can't believe it exists -- a complete index of visual eras. today im feeling like a ☀️dollar store vernacular sun 🌙 wacky pomo moon 🌅 preschool pop rising”

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Kelsy CARLEEN

“"...an online community dedicated to developing a visual lexicon of consumer ephemera from the 1970s until now." Browse aesthetics like Austurbane, Disco-Deco, Eco Beige, Pacific Punk Wave, and so so much more.”