11 Concept Art Designs That Changed Movie History Forever

Movie history is full of brilliant images and inspired designs. But some designs have left their mark on films when the last flicker of light plays in the theater.

Check after the jump to see the designs that inspired generations of filmmakers.

11. Discovery One by Harry Lange
2001: A Space Odyssey

Discovery One concept art by Harry Lange via Digititles

Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark set out to make the most realistic science fiction movies ever made. The common stereotype of anti-gravity generators were thrown out in favor of the scientifically accurate centrifuge that created a type of gravity. Even today it's ground breaking on a science-fiction film to be so scientific.

10. Predator Alien by Stan Winston
Predator (1987)

Predator concept design by Stan Winston

The original design for the Predator (then called Hunter) was a bug like alien. Make up designer Stan Winston created the most unique looking alien ever. It was James Cameron that suggested the mandibles.

9. Star Trek Enterprise by Matt Jefferies
Star Trek (1966)

Star Trek Enterprise by Matt Jeffries source

The design of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) broke all the rules. Roddenberry wanted to get away from the cigar shaped designs from 1950s science-fiction and Star Trek art director Matt Jefferies was the man to do it. With Jeffries' experience in aviation, he was able to design a ship that was unique, familiar and majestic. From the unique look of the engines, to it's unconventional design, it rewrote the book on spaceship design and ushered in a whole new world.

8. Machine Man (Maschinenmensch) by Walter Schulze-Mittendorff
Metropolis (1927)

Metropolis Machine Man by Walter Schulze-Mittendorff source

The robot woman in the German film Metropolis has influenced designers for decades. Star Wars' C-3PO was heavily influenced by her design.


7. Delorean Time Machine by Ron Cobb and Andrew Probert
Back to the Future (1985)

Delorean designs by Ron Cobb source

Designed by Ron Cobb, and finished by Andrew Probert, the Delorean is the most unique time machine ever designed. The car company went bankrupt after a

6. Planet of the Apes Statue of Liberty by Don Peters
Planet of the Apes (1968)

The ending of the original 1963 novel, Planet of the Apes (La Planète des Singes) by Pierre Boulle,had a distant world taken over by apes. It was only when Don Peters drew the image of the State of Liberty buried in the sand that the greatest twist ending of all time was created. Several people, including screen-writer Rod Serling, took responsibility for the idea. Peters claims that it was his idea alone, from preliminary sketches for Arthur P. Jacobs when the film was in development at Warner Bros.


5. Robby the Robot by Robert Kinoshita.
Forbidden Planet (1955)

The initial design was sketched by Arnold "Buddy" Gillespie, refined by production illustrator Mentor Huebner, and then turned into reality under the direction of mechanical designer Robert Kinoshita. Multiple designs were created for the concept of Robby the Robot in the 1955 film Forbidden Planet, but Kinoshita did the final design that created the most iconic and popular robot ever.


4. "Spinner" Police Cars by Syd Mead
Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner car designs by Syd Mead source

The entire look of Blade Runner has set the standard for dystopian science-fiction. It's gritty style and futuristic designs has influenced science fiction films, anime, video games, and television programs like Battlestar Galactica. Syd Mead's car designs, known as "Spinners," that have set the standard for flying cars.

3. Xenomorph by H. R. Giger
Alien (1979)

H.R. Giger Alien source

The Alien design is credited to Swiss surrealist and artist H. R. Giger. It started in a lithograph called "Necronom IV", but was refined for the film Alien. The Alien design is the most effective biomechanical design ever. Not only is the design imitated in other sci-fi movies, but video games like Metroid and Contra have used it as well.


2. Darth Vader by Ralph Mc Quarrie
Star Wars (1977)
 

Early Darth Vader sketch by Ralph McQuarrie source

The most famous villain ever is known for his skull-like mask. While director George Lucas created the character, it was Ralph McQuarrie that came up with the idea of Vader wearing a gas mask to travel onto the ship. McQuarrie's done some amazing designs, but this one stand above them all.


1. Terminator by James Cameron
Terminator (1984)

Director James Cameron is also an accomplished artist. His drawing of the murderous Terminator robot with half his face missing has become the symbol of terror for decades. Every Terminator film has used it.