Behind the Scenes: Atompunk Illustration

With the recent Fallout illustration I made after watching the TV show, I wanted to explore the aesthetics further and extract some inspiration for my own work. There is a wide range of elements, that make up a coherent aesthetic. Apart from the obvious visual style and architecture, there are also other subtle details like visual design systems, typography and also social dynamics, government and politics.

For example, one of my favorite aesthetic systems - dieselpunk - has a pinch wartime and propaganda flavor. After some research, I was able to pinpoint the style I was looking for - atompunk. It has several common elements with the dieselpunk in terms of advanced technology applied to retro design and architecture, but differs quite a lot when you explore other elements.

Both are dystopian, but when it comes to atompunk, we could rather say it's pre-dystopian. It's a state of society, that's built around the excitement from atom energy and overall positive attitude towards the future, with the potential for apocalypse looming over the horizon. Additionally, design-wise it takes inspiration from 50's American streamlined design inspired by aerospace engineering. ?

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I created a Pinterest board to gather all my inspiration and started to explore what's out there. After gathering several direct atompunk inspiration shots, I shifted gear towards the real world inspiration and started exploring some 50's and 60's vehicles and architecture. With all of the imagery ready, I organized it in my PureRef board to create a handy palette of stylistic choices and small details to refer to along the way.

As with my other dystopian and retro-futuristic settings, I always like to explore? the floating islands design and with the abundance of atomic energy in a setting like this, it's easy to imagine thrusters that keep you afloat 24/7. I went for a classic diner and BnB concept, as its the setting that allows me to explore architecture, vehicles and signage in the easiest and most coherent way in a single design.

In my sketching process, I explored different layouts for the building, looking for a balance of sleek curves and retro features. I started with the main structure, drawing inspiration from classic American diners and motels, and added a large, stylized rocket on the roof to emphasize the atomic theme.

Next, I focused on the details that would bring the scene to life. I included a classic "caddy" vehicle design,?to enhance the mid-century feel and to reflect the similar streamlined aesthetic. Of course, it's a hover vehicle with nice glowing?thrusters :) The signage was also crucial—using retro and playful fonts?to create an inviting yet slightly kitschy atmosphere.

The final render includes several key elements that tie the design back to its atompunk roots. The rooftop rocket, the streamlined shapes, and the bold, optimistic signage all work together to create a cohesive scene. Finally, the?menu items like "Ginger Fallout" and "Nuke Fries" add?a playful nod to the atompunk theme.

You can watch the process video on Youtube .?

See you in the next one :)