Syd Mead, designer, futurist and artist, passed away on December 30th at the age of 86 in Pasadena, California. Author of numerous screenplays for films such as Star Trek, Aliens and Blade Runner, Mead has also been involved in designing cars during his long career: in 1959, after graduating from the Art Center School in Los Angeles, he started working at the Ford style center under the guidance of Elwood Engel.
After two years, Mead left Ford to found his own design company, initially dedicating himself to the illustration of books and catalogues for many American companies including Philips. The company established itself in the 70s and 80s and forged relationships with several global car giants including Honda, imagining scenarios for the future of mobility and contributing to some Japanese film projects: The New Yamato and Crises 2050. The idea behind Syd Mead’s projects is perfectly expressed by one of his most recurrent phrases: “I’ve called science fiction reality ahead of schedule”.
