Global Village Coffeehouse was composed of tribal like designs and earth tones. The human figures were typically composed of a flowy or box-like symmetry. The overarching detail that makes this style so nostalgic and heartfelt to me is the sense of community it conveys. Was it corporate? Yes. But it feels different from modern styles because it feels more heartfelt and inclusive, in a way that wasn't completely performative. Is the tribal imagery performative in the GVC style? Okay, yes... maybe a little..but I love to reminisce. But I also just love trashy things like tribal armbands on people who definitely shouldn't have them and tramp stamps, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Now, let me paint you a picture.
Imagine: It's 2000-something, you just finished the school day as a senior at some high school on the East Coast. You rush out of the doors of your fourth period with your girls to celebrate the weekend with a warm latte. You're greeted by the warm air and scent of freshly ground coffee beans in a Starbucks. The lighting is warm and dim. They have cozy corners for private conversations or nice and quiet nooks to relax with a book. At the counter, they have a small selection of CDs next to the chocolate coffee beans. You decide on a Pumpkin Spice Latte; what other choice is there? And it only cost you $3.95. Ugh, a perfect way to end the day.
To rehash my statement earlier, the point has been brought up that GVC was the corporate style of the 2000s that was seen everywhere, similar to the vintage icons or ambiguous figures with groovy shapes in PowerPoints now. But modern styles feel even more corporate and lifeless, I would argue, or at least more bland. White, grey, farmhouse style, open-concept, blah blah blah. Lastly, I don't need a view of everyone in a Panera or Starbucks. Bring back the coziness and the hidden corners in the third places during the global village coffeehouse boom, please!
