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IllustrationScifi

Syd Mead, legendary science fiction illustrator, passes away (news).

The legendary science fiction illustrator, film concept artist and industrial designer Syd Mead sadly has passed away of old age on December 30th 2019 in his home in Pasadena.

Sydney Mead was probably best known for his ground-breaking designs for SF movies such as Blade Runner, Aliens, the first Star Trek film and Tron (he also did the art for a remake of Forbidden Planet that never got off the ground). He even supplied designs for Japanese anime icons such as Yamato 2520 and Turn A Gundam.

Syd once commented, “I’ve called science fiction reality ahead of schedule.”

Syd also built up a legion of famous fans of his art over the decades who are now paying tribute to the artist.

SFF author Stephen Hunt said, “Syd Mead was one of the most influential designers and illustrators of the twentieth century. He collected admirers ranging from writers in the SF genre to the field of manga with creators such as Masamune Shirow. ”

The May 2007 documentary of Sydney Mead’s career, Visual Futurist, by director Joaquin Montalvan, is the definitive first stop for those who want to discover more about his life and long career.

His collected movie art book – The Movie Art of Syd Mead: Visual Futurist – is still available in the UK at https://amzn.to/39oHwlG and the USA at https://amzn.to/2ZK1Tpa – and long may it be so.

The Movie Art of Syd Mead: Visual Futurist
The Movie Art of Syd Mead: Visual Futurist

ColonelFrog

Colonel Frog is a long time science fiction and fantasy fan. He loves reading novels in the field, and he also enjoys watching movies (as well as reading lots of other genre books).

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