"Mead Gundam" is a 300+ page book featuring concept sketched drawings and notes by Syd Mead for Turn A Gundam.

I'll be scanning it and shall share select pages and provide commentary in this thread.

My plan is to end this thread with a blog post that'll contain a larger summary and download link to all the scans.

Other things this book contains: a forward by Yoshiyuki Tomino, closing comments by Syd Mead himself, and copies of some of the faxes and transactions sent between Mead and Sunrise staff members.

Some of the finalized drawings of the Turn A Gundam, the SUMO, the FLAT, and the WaDom.

A forward by Yoshiyuki Tomino.

Some takeaways:
- Tomino's introduction to Syd Mead was his Land Yacht design from the June 1975 issue of Playboy
- He wanted Mead to treat the show as a Hollywood production
- He appreciated the ability to work together despite clashes in culture

Another point of interest: due to Syd Mead's involvement, Turn A Gundam was heavily featured in an issue of a Japanese automobile design magazine called CAR STYLING.

A photo of Yoshiyuki Tomino, Syd Mead, and other staff members at the studio (April 9th 1999 - episode 1 air date).

Syd Mead's analysis and breakdown of the original Gundam design.

Mead was tasked with creating a new "zero-base" design, and he began by analyzing the RX782. It's very cool to see a famous Western designer take apart the iconic Gundam.

A quick sketch and analysis of the Gundam X by Syd Mead. After War Gundam X preceded Turn A Gundam, hence Mead categorizing it as the "latest generation".

The Turn A Gundam's design process consisted of two phases. The first phase explored 2 design paths to finalize on an overall design, and in the second phase all the engineering specifics were detailed.

An early concept design of the Turn A Gundam—Syd Mead's 1st presentation of the "O" series.

More concept sketches of the 1st presentation of the "O" series; head and leg design.

An early concept design of the Turn A Gundam—Syd Mead's 1st presentation of the "M" series. This design was rejected and later repurposed into the SUMO.

During early conceptualization, Syd Mead thought the Turn A should be bulky because it was a machine being used by kids & young adults (his practical designer sense kicking in). He was however advised to make it more "graceful".

Following his 1st presentations of the "O" and "M" series, Syd Mead received comments from Tomino which marked a turning point in the design process. Mead would use these comments to significantly mature the Turn A Gundam's outer appearance.

Some of Tomino's comments & requests:

- The Turn A needs to be more "sleek" in design, like a kick-boxer, not a wrestler

- The "face" needs to be more distinct and inside its helmet, as if occupying a "persona"

- Simplify design as much as possible for animators

Tomino also requested that the cockpit be in the "womb position", hence why the Turn A's cockpit is what it is.

Maturing of the Turn A Gundam's design.

Syd Mead's 2nd presentation of the "O" series. It's much sleeker in design and the mustache is pronounced, and a shield is added to the conceptualization.

A schematic analysis of the Turn A Gundam's upper body concept. A "structural shell with two missile rack chambers", Mead breaks down many details and individual components.

Syd Mead's 2nd & 3rd presentations of the "M" series. The curvature is pronounced and the head more closely resembles the final design. Weapons systems and arm/shoulder details are also examined.

The "M" series was then cleaned up to provide a "Gundam Clean Drawing", finalizing the base design to the Turn A Gundam we all know and love!

CAD drawing of the Turn A Gundam's head. I love this page because it highlights Syd Mead's industrial designer approach, and as an engineer myself I can relate.

Following this, the Turn A Gundam's design process entered its second phase. All the finer details were explored and finalized—cockpit design, upper body & waist, arm & shoulder, legs, weapons systems, etc.

Turn A Gundam cockpit design & study.

Turn A Gundam upper body design.

Turn A Gundam shoulder design.

Turn A Gundam weapon mount system design.

Turn A Gundam elbow & arm design.

Turn A Gundam manipulator (hand) design.

Turn A Gundam leg & spike design.

Turn A Gundam waist & head design.

Syd Mead incorporated his "inside-out" design philosophy when working on Turn A Gundam. This consisted of detailing all the individual components & mechanisms to fit an outer framework. He paid special attention to joints, rotational axes, torsion mechanics, etc.

I feel like this manifests itself in the actual show as well. There are plenty of scenes where the Turn A's head, arms, or hands are rotated or twisted in interesting ways.

The base idea & design of the SUMO was initially proposed for the Turn A Gundam itself but rejected due to its bulkiness. Syd Mead was allowed to repurpose and fine-tune the design to create the SUMO we know today.
https://twitter.com/feezy_feez/status/1257447655057297409

Mead's philosophy behind having a bulky robot for protective purposes lived on in spirit—the SUMOs are largely piloted by Dianna Soreil's royal guard.

Syd Mead's 1st presentation of the FLAT, aka the "High Heel". Mead was inspired by Japanese Edo period "flat"-style clothing, hence the wider legs and acronym.

Syd Mead's 2nd presentation of the FLAT. The design is matured and finalized.

Design notes and concept creation of the WaDom ("Walking Dome") by Syd Mead. A 40m-tall "Diana Counter Mega Fighting Machine".

Syd Mead's 1st presentation of the WaDom ("Walking Dome"), aka the "Scarecrow". Tomino wanted it to appear less traditional in design and more "organic" to the Moon—thus its massive size & scale, vein-like leg texture, and a mono-eye to appear threatening.

Syd Mead's 2nd presentation of the WaDom. The design is matured and finalized.

The MR-SPI05Ω Jet Stream, aka the "Mobile Rib", a cargo & construction utility robot. Syd Mead dubbed it a "very strange-looking thing".

Syd Mead's 1st presentation of the Bandit, which he describes as a mobile suit of "distraction". The Bandit & Turn X are introduced late into the show and were the last MS Mead designed.

Syd Mead's 2nd and 3rd presentations of the Bandit, in which the overall mechanical design & framework is matured.

Syd Mead's 4th presentation of the Bandit. Here the design is finalized and weapons-systems are explored.