Are you searching for a way to create stunning retro-inspired AI art with MidJourney? With its powerful style reference capabilities, MidJourney makes it easy to evoke the charm of bygone eras in your creations.
By using a specific style reference, you can effortlessly transform any scene into a nostalgic masterpiece, complete with soft lighting, rich tones, and vintage textures. Whether it’s romantic dances, sunny beachscapes, or classic car showrooms, this retro style is versatile, consistent, and incredibly easy to use.
Let’s explore how this style reference works, review a few examples, and learn how you can use it to enhance your creative process.
A Retro Dance Filled with Young Love
This image captures the essence of 1950s romance, featuring a young couple embracing on the dance floor. Their joyful expressions, timeless attire, and the warm glow of the setting create a moment that feels like it was pulled straight from a vintage magazine. The subtle film grain and muted colors complete the nostalgic atmosphere, blending elegance with emotion.
MidJourney Prompt:a young couple dancing at concert --ar 1:1 --sref 80943861 --stylize 650 --v 6.1
The retro style reference transforms this simple scene into a vivid memory from decades past, demonstrating its ability to turn ordinary prompts into extraordinary visuals.
Coca-Cola in a Retro Diner
A single bottle of Coca-Cola becomes the centerpiece of this vibrant diner scene. The soft reflections on the glass bottle, paired with a warm, intimate background of pastel walls and glowing light fixtures, make the image feel authentic to the mid-20th century. The slight wear on the table and the muted, harmonious colors evoke the charm of classic Americana.
MidJourney Prompt:a coca-cola bottle on a table --ar 1:1 --sref 80943861 --stylize 650 --v 6.1
This image demonstrates how the retro style reference can bring out the character and mood of even the simplest subjects.
Beach Bar in Havana
This lively beachside scene is a love letter to retro travel postcards. The bright umbrellas, colorful buildings, and swaying palm trees perfectly complement the warm tones and textures of the retro style. The subtle weathering on the walls and furniture adds authenticity, while the ocean breeze is almost tangible through the softened light and shadows.
MidJourney Prompt:beach bar in Havana Cuba --ar 1:1 --sref 80943861 --stylize 650 --v 6.1
By applying the retro style reference, the image transcends a basic beach scene to become a nostalgic portrayal of Havana’s charm in its golden era.
Glamour in the Car Showroom
A red vintage Mercedes convertible takes center stage in this car showroom scene. The polished chrome, gleaming paintwork, and spacious environment feel glamorous yet nostalgic, like a snapshot from an upscale 1950s automobile expo. The reflective flooring and soft lighting amplify the retro vibe, making the car look even more iconic.
MidJourney Prompt:car showroom --ar 1:1 --sref 80943861 --stylize 650 --v 6.1
This example shows how the retro style reference can bring depth and character to industrial and architectural subjects, turning them into timeless works of art.
Why This Retro Style Reference Stands Out
What makes this style reference so compelling is its ability to seamlessly integrate nostalgic elements into any type of image. By applying the style reference code --sref 80943861, you can instantly infuse your creations with the charm of vintage film photography and print design. This parameter adds warmth, texture, and mood to your images, elevating them from ordinary to extraordinary.
Whether you’re crafting romantic portraits, atmospheric settings, or product-focused visuals, the retro aesthetic delivers unmatched versatility. Simply include the code in your prompt, for example:a classic jukebox in a diner --ar 1:1 --sref 80943861 --stylize 650 --v 6.1
and watch as MidJourney brings your vision to life with authentic retro flair.
Additionally, the --sref 80943861 code simplifies achieving consistent results across multiple projects. Instead of tweaking your text prompts repeatedly to align with a specific era’s aesthetic, you can rely on this code to ensure every image exudes the same nostalgic quality. By incorporating this style reference into your prompts, you can streamline your workflow while maintaining a cohesive and timeless look.
How to Use This Retro Style Reference in Your MidJourney Prompts
Using this style reference is straightforward and beginner-friendly. Start by crafting a descriptive prompt that defines your subject or scene. Add the retro style reference parameter to the end of your prompt, and watch as your creation transforms into a timeless masterpiece.
For more control, you can adjust the influence of the retro style using the --sw (style weight) parameter. A higher weight will emphasize the retro features, while a lower weight will blend the style more subtly with your scene.
Elevate Your Creations with Retro Style
Whether you’re designing art for storytelling, branding, or personal projects, this retro style reference unlocks endless possibilities. Its ability to add charm, nostalgia, and personality to your images makes it an invaluable tool for any MidJourney user. Experiment with different prompts, adjust the style weight, and watch as your creative vision takes on a timeless retro glow.
What will you create next? Let the retro style inspire your next masterpiece.
