Jacob JohnstonThe Art of Ron Cobb

This book is absolutely inspirational. Much better than looking at pictures on the internet. It's a very handsome book and tells the story of Cobb's work in a thoughtful and visually compelling way.

Ron Cobb’s name appeared on every sketch and drawing that enthralled me when I was kid, leafing through the pages of Starlog magazine. His designs were revelatory. Yes, they were science fiction and far advanced than our knowledge could produce, but they were grounded in believable, mechanical reality. You could see that they worked- they could function. You can see these well known sketches and drawings in dozens of “Making of…” books and DVD’s. While most all of those more famous images are in this book, they are accompanied by dozens more you’ve likely never seen before. And they are amazing. This is not a fluffy studio marketing dept’s idea of an “ Art of…” book. This is a glimpse into an impactful career of a relatively unknown designer who has cast a long shadow in our culture.This is probably the best collection of entertainment design from a singular mind that I’ve ever seen. Just looking at the collected work gives you an incredible far-reaching portrait of Ron Cobb’s imagination. The most impressive stuff is the drafting - it’s as impressive as the paintings and illustrations and the sketches - but you can see the depth of detail and the layers of thought and technical consideration that Ron Cobb brought to bear for the projects that were lucky enough to have his input.I love the work of Syd Mead and yet Ron Cobb has a depth of technical sophistication that matches Mead’s view of the future - but the real difference here is that you can see the actual thinking that Cobb brings to the table. You can unwind the thought process just by looking at the work. Syd Mead shows you the answers, while Ron Cobb takes you along for the ride.Jacob Johnston has created one of the best design books ever- thoughtfully curated and arranged by project, it lays bare the amazing depth of thought necessary to create believable fictional worlds and technology.I feel like I finally have an idea who Ron Cobb was and a more complete appreciation of his vast contribution to some of the most culturally important cinema of the last fifty years. Do not hesitate to buy this volume, you won’t be disappointed.

Ron Cobb's art influenced my childhood and made me want to draw spaceships, this book does him justice.

This book a fabulous presentation of Ron Cobb's life's work. If you don't know who he is, buy this book and find out that you DO know who he is. You've seen his work everywhere, and his influence on culture and film has been of great international significance for the past 50 years. I'm delighted to have this book to remember him by. A worthy tribute to an amazing man.

Great collection of Ron Cobb’s body of work but I am disappointed that I’ve seen 90% of the images in other books or the internet, was hoping to new (old) things.