Art Deco vs Art Nouveau
アール・デコ / アール・ヌーヴォー
Both sit in Historical Styles, so the question is not what they belong to but how they behave. Both are read here as style. They are reached for with some of the same intent, which is where they get confused.
Art Deco
Stages urban luxury with repeating geometry and a metallic sheen.
Art Nouveau
Joins letters, figures and ornament into one flowing, plant-like line.
| Art Deco | Art Nouveau | |
|---|---|---|
| Era | 1920s–1930s | 1890s–1910s |
| Family | Historical Styles | Historical Styles |
| Kind | Style | Style |
| Cues | Symmetry / Radiating lines / Stepped motifs / Gold and black | Botanical curves / Ornamental frames / Female figures / Muted natural colors |
| Best used for | Giving an event a sense of occasion · Producing instant classic luxury | Speaking of craft and handwork · Leading with beauty and narrative |
| Type | Tall, narrow geometric display type | Curvilinear serifs or hand lettering |
| Composition | Centered, symmetrical composition | Vertical formats, frame compositions, a central figure |
| Material | Black, gold, ivory; repeated hairlines | Dusty greens and gold, line work, paper texture |
| Caution | Too much ornament turns theme-park. Let white space carry the dignity. | Stock vine ornaments stay superficial. Carry the line through the whole composition. |