Visual futurist and conceptual artist Syd Mead — whose design work includes Blade Runner and Tron — will receive the Visual Effects Society's Visionary Award at the 14th Annual VES Awards on Feb. 2 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

“Syd is truly a defining creative force in the world of visual arts,” said Mike Chambers, VES board chair. “He has a rare ability to create fiercely inventive images, both iconic and sublime, and he has contributed to some of our most unforgettable cinematic experiences. Syd’s legendary contributions to the field of design, and the inspiration he has provided for generations of visual effects artists is immense.”

Mead’s career spans six decades and began at Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Styling Studio. After Ford, he took on design assignments for companies including U.S. Steel and Philips Electronics.

In 1979, his work in Hollywood started with creation of the V’ger entity for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, followed by Blade Runner and Tron. Mead’s designs for robots, vehicles and other-worldly environments have also been featured in films including 2010, Short Circuit, Aliens, Time Cop, Johnny Mnemonic, Mission Impossible 3 and Elysium.

Collections of Mead’s work have been exhibited around the world. A documentary of his career, Visual Futurist, was released in 2007.