If you were looking for a futuristic vision for your project in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the name at the top of the list was Syd Mead. His spectacular contributions to major science fiction franchises speak for themselves, and all his work has withstood the test of time remarkably well. From Blade Runner to Tron, via Star Trek, Aliens and Short Circuit, Syd Mead's art deserves a place on any wall, real or virtual.
Editor's note: From our archives, published in November 2017. There are a couple of NSFW images. They are very small, but they are there.
Early Career
History tells us that Syd Mead began his artistic career at none other than the Advanced Styling Studio of Ford Motor Company in 1959. If we look at some of the illustrations that came out of there, we notice Ford's obsession with combining automobiles with spaceships. The market recognized his talent immediately, and Mead left Ford just two years later to develop projects for other corporations.
Film Work
His film work includes designing the V'Ger ship for Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1978, the vehicles and city backgrounds for Blade Runner, the light cycles and tanks for Tron, the Leonov for 2010, the Sulaco for Aliens, and the unforgettable Johnny 5. He also founded Syd Mead Inc. in 1970, with Philips Electronics as a major client.
Later Work and Legacy
His more recent works point toward Elysium, Tomorrowland, and Blade Runner 2049, and CS:GO fans have probably come across the AUG Syd Mead, designed by him. Sadly, Mead left us in December 2019, but if you want to see more of him, you are in the right place.
Gallery
Official Site
Visit his official website for more.
