A look at: Alien's Visual Direction

Alien

'Mother'

Alien is an extraordinary and pioneering example of visual direction. Not only was the film's approach to set design ahead of its time - its strengths can still overshadow some aspects of current film. When directly contrasted to the modern 'Prometheus' movies the film highlights the shortcomings of modern visual design that many modern films designed for mass appeal suffer from, especially those of the sci-fi genre. For instance, a sterility generated by the over-use computer graphics. But also the streamlined, vague approach to sci-fi design that leaves environments and objects lacking a clear functionality, tactility and familiarity. Alien retains such qualities by looking closely to current technology. It does not attempt to look far into the future, in terms of industrial design and human interface with technology - where modern film falls short.

Alien refers closely to the cream coloured plastics common of the time in regards to its computers and interfaces. Also reflecting the heavy mechanical keys and blocks of indicator lights visible within aircraft. By creating this combination of reality, as well as playing with extra-ordinary scale, the familiar becomes sci-fi.