Chrome is back — and it’s everywhere. From your favorite brand’s Instagram stories to popular artists’ music videos, the chrome effect is making a comeback. Sleek, reflective, and visually striking, this metallic style blends retro and futuristic elements, making it a cool bridge between the past, present, and future.

Chrometype, chrome effects, and metallic textures have long been associated with sci-fi, high fashion, and digital innovation. But today, they’re being reimagined for social media, branding, and video production, offering a fresh take on retro-futuristic visuals.

For video creators looking to stay on trend, this blog will cover what makes the chrome effect so visually appealing and why it’s trending again, iconic chrome moments in pop culture that have kept this aesthetic relevant, and how to easily incorporate chrome digital assets into your videos using Motion Array’s chrome effects, overlays, transitions, and title templates.

What is the chrome effect?

The chrome effect is a shiny, reflective metallic design that creates a futuristic yet nostalgic aesthetic. It mimics the look of polished metal, giving text, graphics, and animations a sleek, high-gloss finish.

Chrome was huge in the 90s and early 2000s, and as tastemakers continue to look to the past for inspiration, it’s coming back in a big way.

Why hop on board the trend? Well, chrome is more versatile than it might seem on the surface. It can feel high-tech, edgy, and fashion-forward all at once. Using it in your own videos can help you stay relevant and add a premium, high-fashion feel to your content.

A brief history of chrome in design

Chrome has been a defining visual style for decades, evolving from its sci-fi roots to a modern design staple. Its high-shine, metallic look has been used across entertainment, branding, and digital art, reflecting shifts in culture and technology. Let’s take a stroll through the past through the history of chrome in art and design and how it has reflected cultural shifts and technological advancements.

1980s and 1990s

Chrome was everywhere in the design of pop culture assets in the 80s and 90s, especially in sci-fi and action films. The “Terminator 2” T-1000 liquid metal effect remains one of the most iconic uses of chrome in visual effects.

​Arcade games like “Tron” embraced chrome typography and metallic reflections to create a futuristic, high-energy feel. Music and entertainment also leaned into the trend, with MTV’s logo animations and heavy metal album covers featuring bold, reflective typefaces.

Early 2000s

Early in the new millennium, chrome took on a darker, industrial edge, influenced by grunge and cyberpunk aesthetics. Video games like “Deus Ex” used metallic textures to create gritty, high-tech worlds. Tech branding also incorporated chrome, with Apple’s Aqua interface and metallic app icons reflecting the sleek, futuristic design preferences of the early internet era. The PlayStation 2’s chrome logo and UI also embodied this shift toward high-gloss, industrial visuals.

Today

Today, the chrome aesthetic is back with a fresh, modern twist fueled by Y2K nostalgia, vaporwave aesthetics, and futuristic fashion campaigns. Chrometype has taken over Instagram, with designers and brands using metallic effects to create high-impact typography.

Music artists like Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, and Lil Nas X have embraced chrome in their visuals, using reflective surfaces in styling, album art, and music videos. Luxury fashion brands like Balenciaga and Mugler have also integrated chrome into their campaigns, making it a staple of high-fashion digital design.

Chrome in pop culture

As you can see, chrome has been nothing less than a visual powerhouse in pop culture, appearing in movies, music videos, and fashion campaigns to create a sleek, futuristic, and sometimes surreal aesthetic. Its reflective, high-shine look has been used to symbolize technology, luxury, and transformation.​

Let’s look at some examples of chrome in various types of pop culture.

Film and television

Chrome has been featured in some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. The Silver Surfer in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007) is a perfect example of how chrome can create a smooth, otherworldly character design. The opening credits of “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014) also featured a futuristic chrome aesthetic, reinforcing the movie’s time-traveling narrative.​

Music

Chrome has been a recurring visual theme in music, adding a futuristic or hyper-glamorous touch. Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love” (2020) used metallic costumes and reflective surfaces to enhance its sci-fi-inspired world. Doja Cat’s “Need to Know” (2021) also embraced futuristic chrome elements, blending them with neon cityscapes for a high-tech, space-age feel.

Video games

The gaming industry has consistently embraced chrome effects to create futuristic environments and dynamic characters. “Cyberpunk 2077” (2020) allows players to modify their characters to appear full-body in chrome, reinforcing its high-tech, dystopian setting. The “Need for Speed” series often uses chrome accents on cars, making them feel more sleek and high-performance.​

Fashion and branding

Chrome has been a go-to aesthetic for luxury and avant-garde fashion. Zendaya’s look for the 2018 Met Gala theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” featured a striking chrome-plated armored gown, blending historical inspiration with futuristic shine. More recently, Versace’s 2024 collection showcased sleek, metallic textures in both clothing and accessories, proving that chrome remains a staple in high-fashion design.

Recent developments (2024/2025)

The chrome trend continues to thrive in recent years. For example, the “glass velvet” nail art trend in January 2025 had trendsetters (and followers) all over the world walking around with ultra-glossy, reflective hands. Chrome is also having a major moment in interior design, inspired by Bauhaus and industrial lofts.

How to get the chrome look in your videos

For how expensive and futuristic it looks, you don’t have to spend a fortune to incorporate the chrome aesthetic into your videos. Whether you’re looking for chrome effects, metallic graphic assets, or sleek chrome type, Motion Array has everything you need to bring this high-shine style into your videos.

Here are some of the best ways to incorporate chrome into your video projects.

Chrome titles and text

Using metallic graphic assets for text and title animations gives your videos a polished, high-end look, perfect for branding and social posts.

Get the look with the Chromatic Typeface After Effects template, featuring a 3D liquid chrome typeface with 52 alphabet characters, abstract chrome elements, and multiple backgrounds. It’s perfect for title sequences, futuristic branding, and stylish text animations. With built-in presets and distorting effects, you can customize the metallic shine to match your aesthetic.

Stand out on social media

Chrome is great at grabbing attention fast, making it ideal for short-form content like Instagram Stories, TikToks, and Reels.

Get started with Motion Array’s Chrome Typography Stories templates, with four dynamic chrome elements for Instagram Stories. It’s a great choice for social media branding, high-fashion promo videos, and music visuals. Simply update the text, render, and get a sleek, reflective look in seconds.

Stickers and 3D elements

Add personality and visual interest to your edits with playful chrome stickers and surreal 3D objects. These elements are perfect for creators who want to mix nostalgia, futurism, and fun. Here are some favorites:

Pack of 53 Holographic Stickers in Y2K Style: This pack includes 53 different stickers with a holographic effect, ideal for overlaying on vlogs, fashion content, or Y2K-inspired visuals. These stickers add a playful yet futuristic touch to any project.

3D Elements Over Blue Sky: This pack features spinning chrome stars, circles, and shapes, creating a floating, surreal effect. It’s great for fashion campaigns, music videos, and avant-garde video projects looking for a mix of nostalgia and futurism.

Chrome Silver Liquid Sphere Loop: A sloshing chrome liquid sphere that works well for sci-fi visuals, luxury product showcases, or abstract motion backgrounds. It adds a fluid metallic effect that stands out in modern design.

Reflective overlays, backgrounds, and textures

Using chrome graphic overlays or backgrounds is a simple way to integrate this trend without overhauling your entire design. Chrome-inspired lens flares, metallic textures, and reflective distortions can give any video a polished, high-tech vibe.

This Pack of 4 Metal Liquid Swirls Backgrounds is a great option. These seamless looping metallic swirl backgrounds are perfect for abstract intros, music video backdrops, or high-tech motion design. They bring a dreamy, futuristic element to any edit.

With these chrome effects, metallic graphic assets, and futuristic overlays, you can easily bring the retro-futuristic chrome trend into your projects. Whether you’re working on branding, social media, or high-energy motion graphics, chrome is the perfect way to create bold, eye-catching visuals.

Start creating with chrome

Chrome might be trending right now, but it isn’t just a passing fad. It’s a timeless design element that blends retro nostalgia with futuristic energy. No matter what kind of video you’re creating, it’s a great way to add depth, style, and a high-end finish to your projects.

With Motion Array’s collection of chrome digital assets, you can easily integrate this aesthetic into your work. From 3D text and logo reveals to liquid metal backgrounds and dynamic overlays, these assets make it simple to stay on trend and achieve the polished, metallic look everybody’s talking about.

Ready to bring the chrome aesthetic into your next video? Explore the full chrome collection on Motion Array and start experimenting today.