Dark Aero

This article is part of a series on the Frutiger FamilyDark Aero, also known as Mata Nero or Frutiger Ego, is a sub-genre of Frutiger Aero popular from c. 2006-2015. Dark Aero uses a darker color palette contrasting the depth-filled colorful motifs characteristic of Frutiger Aero. This gave the aesthetic a more simplistic look, which lead to it still being used after Frutiger Aero's decline. Another one of Dark Aero's main signature characteristics is aero glass. Dark Aero can be described as the middle ground between Frutiger Aero and Skeuomorphism due to its Frutiger Aero-esque imagery combined with Skeuomorphism's color palette. Whilst Frutiger Aero was more commonly used for mass market and commercial products, Dark Aero focused on high-end and enterprise-oriented items and services. Dark Aero was also commonly used for for modern tech such as smartphones, computers, TVs, cars, etc.
==History==
=== Beginnings (2001-2006) ===
In the early 2000s, Dark Aero emerged as an alternative variant of Frutiger Aero, featuring a darker visual style. Dark Aero's first documented appearance was in Windows Longhorn, a beta version of Windows Vista (developed from 2001-2006); this was during the transition period from Y2K to Frutiger Aero. Dark Aero preserves the futuristic element of Frutiger Aero while largely omitting the nature/eco side of it. The futuristic approach of Dark Aero centers more around electronics rather than humanism, contrasting Frutiger Aero's style of futurism. During Dark Aero's beginning period in the early 2000s, it went largely unused and was over-shadowed by Frutiger Aero. In the late 2000s-early 2010s, Dark Aero's popularity gradually increased until it started to become more widely adopted across various systems and user interfaces. This was accompanied by the slow decline of Frutiger Aero, which began in 2012-2013.
=== Prime (2006-2015) ===
Dark Aero's prime encompasses the late 2000s-mid 2010s (c. 2006-2015). During this period, Dark Aero was most commonly associated with electronics, futurism, neon lights, electronica/dubstep music, flares, beams, holograms, etc. While it has found some presence in the corporate realm, it was most frequently embraced among the younger generation and internet culture, such as gamers, DJs, and programmers.
=== Decline (Post-2015) ===
Dark Aero persisted until the mid-2010s (2015-2017), until most big-tech companies decided to implement Flat Design, which marked the end of Frutiger Aero's mainstream usage along with its sub-genres. Despite Dark Aero's decline after 2015, it still continued to be used by several apps, websites and several Linux distributions. However, instead of classic Dark Aero, it was updated into a much more sleek and lighter version, featuring less glossy and futuristic elements, and making use of humanism again. This became known as Post-Morphism.
==Visuals==
Dark Aero can largely be described as more 'sleek' and 'cleaner' than Frutiger Aero due to its partial omission of varied color palettes, often achieving a less 'cluttered' look than its father-aesthetic. Motifs commonly associated with Dark Aero include, but are not limited to, bokeh, aurora borealis, gloss, aero glass, and futuristic designs. Dark Aero's visuals were also inspired by electronics, waves, spectrum, lasers, electronic pulses, etc. These elements give the aesthetic a sense of futuristic allure and technological wonder. Moreover, Dark Aero extends beyond the limitations of Frutiger Aero, It embraces a diverse array of backgrounds and textures, such as the elegant graphite, obsidian, dark cement, metal and various other dark textures.
==Related Aesthetics==
===Frutiger Aurora===
Main article: Frutiger Aurora Frutiger Aurora is a subgenre of Frutiger Aero that focuses on the aurora visual; an aurora is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky. Frutiger Aurora emerged in the Early-2000s towards the end of the Y2K era and maintained it's popularity into the Early-2010s. The aurora visual is also commonplace in Dark Aero, leading to varied degrees of overlap between the two.
File:Aurora-1920x1080-blue-purple-vista-wallpaper-preview.jpg
File:Dark aurora-Abstract design wallpaper 2560x1600.png
File:Digital-aurora 4.png
=== Holo ===
Main article: HoloHolo, also known as Dark Skeuomorphism, is a device theme and Skeuomorphism sub-aesthetic. It was developed by Google in Android versions 3.0 to 4.4 (four separate releases) and was used from 2011-2014. It was used in Honeycomb (2011), Ice Cream Sandwich (2011), Jelly Bean (2012), and KitKat (2013). Holo is a subgenre to and very similar to Skeuomorphism due to it's use of depth, texture, shading, and pseudo-3D imagery that attempts to mimic real world objects. This version of Skeuomorphism, however, is more watered down and flatter. Holo's backgrounds can be described as dark, simplistic yet calming due to its "cold" color palette; the most common colors are black, blue, indigo, violet, cyan, and purple. This is normally complimented with see-through abstract patterns or graphical effects. Holo is similar to Dark Aero due to its color palette and its utilization in UI/UX design.
File:Holo5.png
File:Holo3.png
File:Wp2756993.webp
===Post-Morphism===
Main article: Skeuomorphism Post-Morphism, Also known as Skeuoflatism, Flat Skeuomorphism or alternatively Matte Design, was used during the decline of Skeuomorphism, which marked the transition from saturated realism to a simpler interface design. This design trend combines elements of Skeuomorphism and Flat Design. It features a simpler version of Skeuomorphism that doesn't use realistic textures but instead uses a bit of glossy shadows, reflections, subtle gradients and lighting effects. Dark Aero and Post-Morphism both share the element of being a more sleek and less detailed version of their parent-aesthetics.
File:Miui-v5-theme-xiaomi.jpg|Xiaomi Apps
File:Cinnamon 1.8 Control Center.png
File:Skeuo-linux2.jpg|Linux
==Media==
===Movies===
*Cars (2006)
*Cars 2 (2011)
*TRON: Legacy (2010)
File:Cars Neon Cars Scene.jpg
===Video Games=== 
*Angry Birds Space (2012)
*Audiosurf (2008)
*Audiosurf 2 (2013)
*Blur (2010)
*Guitar Hero 2 (2010)
*Mortal Kombat (2011)
*Need for Speed: Carbon (2006)
*Need for Speed: World (2010)
*Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
*Split/Second (2010)
File:Blur Racing.jpg|Blur
File:Mortal Kombat komplete.png
== Music ==
==== Artists ====
* deadmau5
* TheFatRat
====Songs====
*Djjaner - Cosmic Dreamer
*TheFatRat - Xenogenesis
*BT - Tokyo Mater
*Ekstrak - Induction Kit
*Röyksopp - Running to the Sea (feat. Susanne Sundfør)
*Röyksopp - Running to the Sea (feat. Susanne Sundfør) (Seven Lions Remix)
====Soundtrack====
*Asphalt 7 Heat: Lose OST
====Others====
*Android 4 Notification Sounds
== Technology ==
====Operating Systems (OS)==== 
*Windows Longhorn (2001-2006, to become Windows Vista)
*Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" (2011)
*Android 4.0-4.2 "JellyBean" (2012)
*Android 4.4 "KitKat" (2013)
*Linux Ubuntu (2004-Present)
*Sony PlayStation 3 (2006-2009)
====Others====
*Sony Xperia Wallpapers (2011-2014)
*Windows 10 Default Wallpaper (2015)
*"Only Black" Theme for Windows 7 by Tonev
*SkeuoCord BetterDiscord theme (2021)
File:Android 4,4 stock screenshot.png|Android 4.2
File:Only Black w7 theme.jpg|"Only Black" w7 theme
File:Windows Longhorn.jpg|Windows Longhorn
File:Linux Ubuntu.jpg|Ubuntu 2014
File:LinuxDeepin-Scrot.png|Linux
File:SkeuoCord BetterDiscord theme.png|SkeuoCord
==Gallery==
File:Dark Aero 1.webp
File:Ps3 mata nero.jpeg
File:Dark Aero 11.png
L0VpzM.jpg
File:Dark Aero 2.jpg
File:Dark Aero 3.jpg
File:Dark Aero 4.jpg
File:Duolingo mata nero.jpeg
File:Dark Aero 5.webp|Windows 10 default wallpaper
File:Dark Aero 7.webp
File:Android 4 Live Wallpapers.png|Android Live Wallpapers
File:Audio Waves Equalizer.jpg|Audio Equalizer
File:WindowsCE7music player.png|Car Radio UI
File:Skeuo-discord.png
File:Dark Aero 6.jpg|Apple Graphite Background 
File:Dark Aero 8.webp
File:Nfscarbonmenu.png|Need for Speed Carbon menu screen
File:Dark Aero 10.jpg
File:Voice App.jpg
File:Battery saver app.jpg
File:Sound waves, pulses.jpg|sound waves pulses
File:Flares Wallpaper .jpg|Abstract Flare
File:Blackberry Windows Vista.jpg|Windows XP Blackberry Software
File:Samsung kies windows vista.jpg|Windows Vista Samsung Kies Program
File:Spotify Skeuomorphism .jpeg
File:Android screenshot.jpg|Android 4.1
File:Skeuoicons.jpg|Glossy App Icons
File:Holo Wallpaper .png|Holo Wallpaper
File:Windows 7 screen black.png
File:31087597838 eecf354162 k.jpg
File:7fa58987f8e3d7ef4f39df1a9c1f9667.jpg
File:Blackberry ad.jpg|blackberry advert
File:Blackberry Windows Vista.jpg
File:Blackberry empathy.jpg
File:Blackberry ad13.jpg
File:Blackberry ad12.jpg
File:Blackberry 9220.jpg
File:Blackberry ad10.jpg
File:Blackberry ad9.jpg
File:Blackberry ad8.jpg
File:Blackberry2.webp
File:Blackberry ad7.jpg
File:BlackBerryOS 7.1.jpg
File:Blackberry ad6.webp
File:Blackberry bold 9900.jpg
File:Blackberry bold 9900 its back.webp
File:Blackberry ad5.jpg
File:Blackberry 8800.jpg
File:Blackberry ad4.jpg
File:Dark Aero glass musical notes.jpg
File:Ambassador-256x256.png
==Resources==
*https://www.reddit.com/r/FrutigerAero/comments/12dh834/i_think_ive_found_a_new_subgenre_of_fa_what/
*https://www.reddit.com/r/FrutigerAero/comments/12embak/introducing_mata_nero/
*https://aesthetics.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000051936
Category:Futuristic
Category:Visual
Category:Electronic
Category:Architecture
Category:2000s
Category:2010s
Category:Design Aesthetics
Category:Blue
Category:Cyan
Category:Corporate
Category:Black
Category:Neons
Category:Green
Category:Frutiger Family
Category:CGI
Category:Dark