Storm Thorgerson

Storm Elvin Thorgerson (1944–18 April 2013) was an English graphic designer, best known for his work for rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Genesis, Europe, Dream Theater, The Cranberries, The Mars Volta, Muse and Biffy Clyro.

Biography

Storm Thorgerson was born in Potters Bar, Middlesex (now part of Hertfordshire) and attended Cambridgeshire High School for Boys withSyd Barrett and Roger Waters. He went on to become key member of the graphic art group Hipgnosis, and designed many of their most famous single and album covers. In 1987, following the dissolution of Hipgnosis in 1983, Thorgerson formed his own design studio called Storm Studios - a loose group of freelancers. The current line up includes - Rupert Truman (Photographer), Peter Curzon (Designer), Finlay Cowan (Designer and Illustrator), Daniel Abbott (Designer and Artist), Lee Baker (Designer, Retoucher and Artist), Jerry Sweet (Designer) along with Storm's Personal Assistant, Laura Truman (Prints) and Charlie Barnes.

Perhaps Thorgerson's most famous designs are those for Pink Floyd. His design for The Dark Side of the Moon has been called one of the greatest album covers of all time. (Designed by Thorgerson, the cover itself was drawn by Hipgnosis designer George Hardie.) Many of his designs are notable for their surreal elements. He often places objects out of their traditional contexts, especially with vast spaces around them, to give them an awkward appearance while highlighting their beauty. To quote Thorgerson, "I like photography because it is a reality medium, unlike drawing which is unreal. I like to mess with reality...to bend reality. Some of my works beg the question of is it real or not?"

Several books have been devoted to surveying Thorgerson's work which spans more than four decades.

Thorgerson died on 18 April 2013.