October 29, 2004

Leading designer to speak at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A designer who worked on movies such as "Tron" and "Aliens" will present a public lecture on Thursday (Nov. 4) at Purdue University.

Syd Mead, who specializes in the design of futuristic machines and landscapes, will give a lecture and accompanying slideshow of his work at 7:30 p.m. in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. A reception will precede the lecture at 6:30 p.m. and a second will follow.

"He is, without a doubt, the most famous contemporary American designer," said Dennis R. Short, professor of computer graphics. "I can't think of a designer I have more respect or more envy for than Syd Mead."

A graduate of the Art Center of Los Angeles, Mead's other movie design credits include "Short Circuit," "Bladerunner," "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and "2010." He also has worked on conceptual design and architectural renderings with companies, including Sony, Motorola and Honda.

For 30 years, he also has given lectures and slideshows throughout the United States and several other countries. Mead's most recent book is "Syd Mead's SENTURY." Copies of the book will be available for purchase at $53 before and after the event.

"The vision of the future that Syd Mead produced opened up a world of imagination to an entire generation of designers," Short said. "His influence reaches the entire gamut of design, from entertainment and fashion to industrial design."

Mead's presentation is sponsored by the School of Technology, Department of Computer Graphics Technology and Purdue's student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery's Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques and is supported by the School of Technology. Donations to the student group will be accepted at the lecture.

CONTACT: Short, (765) 494-6457, drshort@purdue.edu

Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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Department of Computer Technology

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