Ralph McQuarrie is a designer and futurist responsible for the look of the original Star Wars trilogy. He worked on all three movies, Ralph McQuarrie is responsible for some of the most iconic designs in cinema history to name a few Darth Vader, The Death Star, X-wing fighters R2 D2 & C3PO. His designs were taken straight from the screen and made straight into products a lot aimed at children having a huge influence on them and there likes. I've played the games and I can easily identify a X-wing from a Tie fighter and I think thats why Star Wars is so successful because Ralph Mcquarrie's designs are so iconic and good. Not only did Ralph McQuarrie work on Star Wars but he also did the concept designs for Battle star Galatica, Cocoon and Jurassic Park and many more. 
A Long Time Ago . . .
As unimaginable as it may seem now, when George Lucas initially showed his script for 'Star Wars' around Hollywood, the reception he received was far from enthusiastic.
In fact by the time it reached United Artists and Universal it was greeted with outright rejection. A decision they doubtless regret to this day. . .
"I think it was a sin that those people looked at it and didn't grasp the scope of the images George wanted to relay, but they didn't see any drawings."*
RMQ
George resolved he wouldn't continue relying upon studio execs to use their imagination. He decided he would utilise Ralph's talents to spell out how the movie would look.
When he made his pitch to Alan Ladd Jr. at 20th Century Fox he did so with a table full of Ralph's art.
The rest as the say is history.
Sourced http://www.ralphmcquarrie.com/gallery_1/star_wars/hope/index.html
What i like about Ralph McQuarrie is his a designs are iconic and easily recognised and made contributed into making Star Wars a huge sucess. The designs reflect an era during the cold war where the Americans & the British to an extent were creating new weapons to deter Russia from attacking and it was exactly the same from Russia's point of view. During the cold war space travel and experimental aircraft were being developed and i think Ralph McQuarrie's work reflect this. Star Wars created instant icons Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, light sabers, the death star, boba fett with Star Wars fans although not being in the movies for huge amounts of time and many more icons. Star Wars is a fantastic piece of design as the story of the film allows the audience to engage in this new world and we see all these exciting new ships and new worlds. I like the design of the orignal films much better than the 3 prequel ones where rather than a actually story its more of special effects show reel. The orginal films instantly has more reconisable designs than the new ones.
How may Ralph McQuarrie influence my practice his concept designs are not just designs they are art. And if i reflect this in my practive i suppose thats how he will have a influence on my work and if i ever decide to start drawing the future or maybe designing the future.
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