The Techniques of Syd Mead Airship Arrival

Legendary designer Syd Mead demonstrates his techniques for creating a finished illustration of a futuristic Airship. Mastering drawing skills and techniques is just the first step in image-making. The crucial element is to produce a visceral illusion called ‘presence’ that creates a sense of ‘being there.’ Without successfully combining these elements, the finished image may appear stilted, contrived, and unbelievable. Syd uses guache, a classic opaque watercolor pigment that dries with a matte finish, to paint and discusses the medium, brushes, and guides while sharing his thoughts on successful design illustration imbued with presence. Throughout the process, Syd emphasizes how he creates the illusion of reality through almost abstract representation of various natural and mechanical details. With a clear vision, inspired imagination, and knowledge of the familiar, a plausible future reality comes to life at the hands of a master draftsman, designer, and artist.

Syd Mead is a visual futurist with a career spanning over fifty years. He started his profession creating characters and backgrounds for animated cinema intermission trailers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, just after graduating from high school. After serving in the Army Corps of Engineers for three years, he graduated with great distinction from the Art Center School in 1959. Soon, he was hired by Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Styling studio, where he became known for his futuristic style. He was then recruited by Mead-Hansen Company in Chicago to create corporate promotional books for US Steel and other clients for nine years. In 1970, Syd established his own company, Syd Mead, Incorporated, which designed industrial products and corporate graphics. After moving to Southern California in 1975, he started creating concept designs for motion pictures, television, and electronic game industries. His first foray into the film industry was with the creation of the V’GER entity for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, followed by two cult classics, BLADERUNNER and TRON. Syd continues to work professionally and gives presentations worldwide. He considers his legacy to be the body of work that has provided him with daily challenges, while offering his clients unique design and problem-solving solutions. Most importantly, he has inspired audiences of all ages, which he finds the most rewarding aspect of his work. Syd also considers the opportunity to be a role model for others as a priceless gift of fortunate circumstances.