Exploring Skeuomorphism: Michael Jackson's Ongoing Brand InfluenceExploring Skeuomorphism: Michael Jackson's Ongoing Brand Influence
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started
I noticed an interesting visual trend recently.
After the buzz around the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Spotify briefly shifted its logo into a disco-ball inspired style. Around the same time, Drake introduced the Iceman aesthetic for his latest era. It made me think about how strongly MJ’s visual identity still influences modern branding and pop culture.
Michael Jackson’s crystal glove was more than a fashion piece. It was iconic skeuomorphism before the term became mainstream in digital design: reflective, tactile, exaggerated, and instantly recognizable. The shine, texture, and realism made it feel larger than life.
What fascinates me is how brands continue to recycle and reinterpret these visual cues decades later. It shows the power of cultural design memory and why creative thinkers are important in branding conversations.
I also created a Netflix concept inspired by this direction using Gemini, experimenting with skeuomorphic lighting and reflective textures. The idea still has room to evolve, but it was interesting exploring how nostalgic visual language can feel modern again. #skeuomorphic
Post image
Back to feed
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started