Syd Mead - Concept sketching

Syd Mead is a legend in industrial design who has inspired generations of students, so it was no surprise that this week I introduced first year industrial design students at Monash University to his work on Blade Runner. The project brief relates to a device to measure and the Voight-Kampff emotion sensing machine used on replicants in Blade Runner was perfect.

I had the pleasure of hosting Syd in Melbourne in 2010 where he worked with students and gave a sellout public lecture. Bernie Walsh and I took Syd to view the Crown Casino gas flames on the Yarra river because they are similar to those featured in the opening sequence in Blade Runner designed by Syd Mead with Ridley Scott.  It was great to see Syd was honoured this year as a keynote at the IDSA conference in Boston.

Blade Runner Voight-Kampff concept sketch by Syd Mead.

Copyright Syd Mead

Voight-Kampff concept sketch by Syd Mead.

Copyright Syd Mead

Gas flames in Blade Runner opening sequence.

Syd Mead and Bernie Walsh visit gas flames at Crown Casino in Melbourne.

Syd Mead in Melbourne, Australia

Introduction for the public lecture 'An Audience with Syd Mead' by Ian Wong included the original RMIT library copy of Syd Mead's famous book Sentinel.

Syd Mead discusses Blade Runner and the sketch of the interior of the spinner at the public lecture 'An Audience with Syd Mead' in Melbourne Australia.

Blade Runner Convention Reel 1982

www.sydmead.com

www.berniewalsh.blogspot.com