Syd Mead (b. 1933 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a widely celebrated industrial designer, illustrator and "futurist," known as the designer of cityscapes and vehicles for motion pictures, including Blade Runner, Tron, Star Trek - The Motion Picture and Mission to Mars. After graduation from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Mead worked briefly as an auto stylist for Ford Motor Company. For US Steel, he designed and illustrated books that envision the use of steel in future societies. In addition to his legendary work in motion pictures, Mead has executed many extraordinary projects, including a futuristic pavilion he designed for the Spaceship 2056 roller coaster in Japan and a custom interior for a privately owned Boeing 747. Syd Mead's work is the subject of numerous books and DVDs, and he has been honored for his contributions to architecture, automotive design and cinematic special effects.