When I was studying Product Design our tutor, Lance, was a Syd Mead fan. We spent a lot of time “studying” Blade Runner and the design work of it’s “Visual Futurist” Syd Mead. That film is a favourite of mine to this day.
Syd Mead was also the “Visual Futurist” for Peter Hyams film 2010: The Year We Make Contact. I have a “movie magazine”, published to promote it, with several pages of his black & white pen/marker/ink concept sketches for the space ship exteriors & interiors. Simple, stunning, powerful illustrations which look like they could be built and would work. Not always the case with Hollywood design.
VFX World have an interesting interview with Syd Mead. It mentions his recent work on another Peter Hyams film, A Sound of Thunder, his techniques and why he won’t be buying a new Cadillac.
The World of Design According to Syd Mead >> VFXWorld / Feature Articles <<
Henry Turner talks to famed visual designer Syd Mead about his influential work on Blade Runner, old school vs. digital tools and the luxurious SUD.
(Free registration required for page 2+)Syd Mead's official website www.sydmead.com