#Art of Science Fiction 007: Syd Mead

We’re changing gears yet again this week. A Redditor suggested I look into Syd Mead’s work. What I found blew me away. Syd Mead is a “visual futurist” and a neofuturistic concept artist, and a living legend in the industry. He is best known for his designs for science-fiction films such as Blade Runner, Aliens and Tron, but has also done work for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, 2010, Short Circuit, Time Cop, Johnny Mnemonic, Mission Impossible-3, and most recently Elysium starring Jodi Foster and Matt Damon.

Mead was once moved to comment about his work: “I’ve called science fiction ‘reality ahead of schedule.”

Below is a small portion of his work. Each image links back to where I found that image and trust me, I had to source these images from all over the Internet. Enjoy!

The last image above is a design concept for the movie Bladerunner. There were more, of course, but I had to stop myself. Although I tried, it is not possible to do a living legend’s oeuvre justice in one blog post. Syd’s output was just too massive. Thus, my attempt here is to present a snapshot of his life’s work of what I thought represent the best of him. Now I know this is subjective, but considering the eras most of these paintings hail from, there is no denying his vision and talent.

Let me know in the comments your thoughts. I’d love to hear what you have to say about today’s post. Also, suggestions for future artists are always welcome.

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A mini-kōsalogy of flash fiction stories

Featuring PK Tyler, Woelf Dietrich, Jessica West, and M. J. Kelley

Their home world is gone, their planet cut from existence. They traveled eons searching for a new home. But their new home, Earth, was already taken. From quiet stories of longing and love to tales of tragic nuclear war and brutal inter-species conflict, these narratives portray sometimes startling snapshots of a new universe with the intensity and delicacy that only flash fiction can convey. Each author's unique stories enrich the shared, singular vision of a science fiction saga that is just beginning.

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Woelf Dietrich

Co-Founder

Woelf Dietrich mostly writes tales of dark fantasy and the supernatural, which is maybe not such a far cry from his lawyering days. Sometimes he writes other things. He resides in New Zealand with his wife and kids and a dog.

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