Studio Image 1 by Syd Mead

The RGB collection reissue utilizes conceptual sketches, as well as full-color illustrations to provide a glimpse of the future, as it was in the past, through the eyes of one of the greatest visionaries of our lifetime. 

Studio Image 1 sketch book was the first in the RGB collection from the late world-renowned artist/visual futurist, Syd Mead.

From preliminary concept sketches to brilliantly colored illustrations, Studio Image 1 takes viewers step by step through the creative process from the artist’s point of view. Artwork ranges from a futuristic nightclub that was built in Tokyo to sports cars, “Minolta Marina”, and a lavish proposal for “Houston Center”.

Studio Image 1 describes in detailed pictures the process of creating animals and creatures in future environments as well as many workups for the television series “L.A. 2015”.

Other color illustrations describe a “Race in Spaceball” and “Voyage to the City”. Also included in Studio Image 1 are the workups for Syd Mead’s limited edition lithograph “The Running of the Six Drgxx”.

This reissue of the lavish 16.5” x 11.75”, 32-page book with 38 pieces of artwork is a must-have for anyone who has ever had an interest in the future as Syd Mead’s visions continue to be futurist decades after his artwork.

Printed on high-quality 16 1/2" x 11 3/4" of varying paper stock, to represent the various stages of the conceptual process, this book features the emerging ideas in sketch form and further showcases some of Syd Mead's finest illustrations in a format suitable for framing.

Inspirational to virtually everyone in the fields of automotive design, film concept design, and industrial design, Syd Mead was a concept artist/visual futurist. He is widely regarded as the most creative industrial designer in history.

Mead began his art career in 1959 at Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Styling Studio. After two years, he left the studio and began illustrating books and catalogues for large corporations, such as US Steel, Celanese, Allis Chalmers, and Atlas Cement. In 1970, he launched Syd Mead, Inc. with Philips Electronics as his most notable client.

Mead later became involved with film design and illustration, becoming best known for establishing the high bar set for concept design for science-fiction films. Some of the films he has worked on include Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner, Tron, 2010, Short Circuit, Aliens, Timecop, Johnny Mnemonic, and Mission: Impossible III.

Mead also provided architectural renderings for many clients, including Intercontinental Hotels, 3D International, Harwood Taylor & Associates, Don Ghia, and Gresham & Smith. He has worked with many Japanese corporate clients, as well, including Sony, Minolta, Dentsu, Dyflex, Tiger Corporation, Seibu, Mitsukoshi, Bandai, NHK, and Honda. Additional clients include Disney, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue, Pratt University, and the Society of Illustrators.

In addition, Mead exhibited his work around the world through one-man shows and has contributed design work to video games.

Inspirational to virtually everyone in the fields of automotive design, film concept design, and industrial design, Syd Mead was a concept artist/visual futurist. He is widely regarded as the most creative industrial designer in history.

Mead began his art career in 1959 at Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Styling Studio. After two years, he left the studio and began illustrating books and catalogues for large corporations, such as US Steel, Celanese, Allis Chalmers, and Atlas Cement. In 1970, he launched Syd Mead, Inc. with Philips Electronics as his most notable client.

Mead later became involved with film design and illustration, becoming best known for establishing the high bar set for concept design for science-fiction films. Some of the films he has worked on include Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner, Tron, 2010, Short Circuit, Aliens, Timecop, Johnny Mnemonic, and Mission: Impossible III.

Mead also provided architectural renderings for many clients, including Intercontinental Hotels, 3D International, Harwood Taylor & Associates, Don Ghia, and Gresham & Smith. He has worked with many Japanese corporate clients, as well, including Sony, Minolta, Dentsu, Dyflex, Tiger Corporation, Seibu, Mitsukoshi, Bandai, NHK, and Honda. Additional clients include Disney, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue, Pratt University, and the Society of Illustrators.

In addition, Mead exhibited his work around the world through one-man shows and has contributed design work to video games.