Secrets of Star Wars Design 

The crazy thing is - I think that you're absolutely right about the material side - but also, that kind of plastic-plate construction unintentionally mimics what constructing vehicles is like IRL. That's why I think a lot of SW designs don't look too out there - because even if you don't know how a hyperdrive works - it looks like something that could be put together in a factory with steel plates and realistic metalworking - cause that's what the designers did in plastic!

I think the fact that they had to build the scale models is what makes star wars designs so plausible because through that process they encountered physical problems, and solving them gave the end result a subtle air of plausibility. It's something that simple graphic design won't cut it, even if you try to keep a coherent style throught all designs because style in of itself is just form without function. Also a sidenote, in most sci-fi settings, most design elements of the presented tech, are subtle messages for the audience, not really meant to be theoretical problem-solvers, practicality isn't the first concern. The reason the X-wings even have wings is not because they'd need lift as a real plane does, but because they cue in the audience to prepare for a dogfighting scene.

It's not often that EC Henry uploads, but when he does, you know it's gonna be a great video

I'd love to hear a similar analysis but focusing on costume design rather than ships.

Very nicely analysed. I knew there was a heavy WW2 influence but didn’t realize it ran so deep. Now I realize why the Star Wars ships are so iconic - they’re based on already iconic vehicles.

DO OTHER VIDEOS LIKE THIS! I've been studying Star Wars ship design for quite sime time, and I just can't get why they work so well, there's always something that goes under the radar. I never tought about the abilty to build them, for example

If you do another one of these, you should talk about the design motifs seen on Umbara from the Clone Wars. Their whole aesthetic is such a departure from what we've seen, yet it still fits perfectly.

My favorite thing about star wars was always the spaceship designs. I loved the gritty lived in universe design of them, they all just looked so cool too. they're down to earth and practical.

A few years back, I watched a video where two science fi tion novelists were criticizing the design of Star Wars vehicles and how they were not aerodynamic and unrealistic. I would love for them to see this video. I feel that the creation of the Star Wars world and its vehicles is an art form and should be appreciated as such. Let us not forget that we go to watch a movie or read a book to explore the magic and wonder of another place and time. ILM and the Star Wars design teams did an amazing job with what they had and created a timeless legacy that still continues today. Just look at the countless fans all over the world. Thanks for posting this.

The designs of the vehicles from the Originals, Prequels, and Rogue One will never be topped

An interesting additional observation is that even the Knights of the old Republic videogames had ship designs that followed these principles as well. From the Sith starfighters to the Republic Hammerhead cruiser, everything looked like it could have been practically built by hand on set even though they were all 3d models; and each has a very unique visual silhouette which was so effective that they were repeated in modern shows.

I always loved science fiction for the vehicles. The original Star Wars movies has some of the best. I drew lots of space ships and cars growing up. This is a very good commentary on science fiction vehicles. Thank you.

I love how compact and robust designs like the x wings are

I think you hit it on the head. You've boiled down Star Wars magic into something simple, 'Practical and Inspired by the real world'.

Never thought about the iconic Silhouette aspect of design. Even with new technology, such as 3d printing and laser cutting, nothing is more enjoyable or freeing as building something from scratch with sheets of styrene. Great analysis!

I read that the X-wing fuselage was inspired by a drag racer. And there was some old Y-wing art that seemed very similar to the Mosquito tactical bomber from World War Two.

Your explanation of how the designs are defined by the materials/processes available to the prop team at that time unlocked in my brain why I like Lego Star Wars models so much. I like a bunch of sci-fi stuff and I like models. I have traditional model kits for a lot of space ships and stuff, but for Star Wars, and only for Star Wars, I like Lego models better. Even when the hyper accurate and detailed kits are cheaper, I choose the chunky and expensive Lego set when it's Star Wars. I'll get obsessive over the smallest inaccuracies in the hyper detailed models for universes I care much less about while finding the limits imposed by brick built models charming when it's Star Wars. For other Lego themes, the inaccuracies are too glaring and I'm happy to pass on them. I noticed this often but never understood it. I think it is an extension of feeling that limitation of construction through the design without being conscious of it. When you pointed out that the film models are all made from planes, bent planes and vacuum formed shells, it immediately snapped into focus that the limited construction methods were part of the aesthetic, and Lego, in a way, captures that. While being less accurate in reproducing shapes, it reproduces part of the spirit of constraints that injection molding the exact shape you need bypasses. Star Wars ships express in their form the challenge of physically rendering them from a limited library of shapes. A Lego model does the same.

In general - yes, spot on. 08:06 you got the N1 Starfighter wrong, that is the exaggerated shape of a _de Havilland Mosquito_ , also known as "The Wooden Wonder" back in WW2. It was a true wonder because it was much, *much* faster than any contemporary fighter plane when it entered service. In the N1 concept I also see a lot of the Mosquito's civilian predecessor, the DH.88 Comet .

Absolutely love this video! As someone who's doing Star Wars costuming, this really helps with steering me in the right direction for the aesthetics.

Loving this topic. As a concept artist and big Lego fan these topics are really good to explore.

This was fantastic. You obviously put A LOT of thought into this, and I think you're bang on on your analysis, especially about how everything needed to made out of plastic. Constraints on creativity make it thrive.

Well observed. I think you have nailed it. I grew up in the 70s and had a book about the making of Star Wars that covered things mentioned especially in your 3rd point. Well-documented is the use of placeholder ww2 footage in the original cut (very early edit) of A New Hope that inspired the final special effects. So although it is 'other' what makes it work so well is its familiarity.

what I find fascinating about star wars design, is how good they design amazing spaceships around basic geometric shapes, making them instantly recognizable

One thing to keep in mind is that many Star Wars vehicles became popular characters in the movie. So, the audience likes seeing X-Wings and Tie Fighters in each successive movie. Also various droids like C-3PO and R2D2. So, one sees revised versions of the original designs. Also the good vs evil fight, so an X-wing is "good", and a Tie Fighter is "evil".

Just wanted to say thank you for your thoughts and designs! I design star wars ships in the medium of Lego bricks, (many inspired by your designs), and while I thought for a while that their limitations were a detriment, I see the limitations as a callback to the limits of the original designers. I'd love more videos like this:)

I just wish Lucasfilm would keep an eye on your stuff sometimes. You have these great insights that really help nail down ideas which seem to be missed sometimes. Do you think these hold true for the other members of the “big seven”? (Wars, Trek, Gate, ME, BSG Halo, & 40k) [I wanted to include B5, but sadly: nobody’s seen the greatest sci fi ever.]

I regret that I have just one like to give. I really love bringing actual history into the video and showing the design language. Thanks!!!

I love how much sense all of this makes.

This is sooooooooooo on point... This video should be compulsory in movie making, design making, and star wars fandom

In the primary (hero) ship I've designed for my sci-fi universe, It's supposed to be stealthy and fast, so I used a lot of reference images of stealth aircraft like the F-22 Raptor, YF-23 Blackwidow, F-117 Nighthawk, B-2 Spirit, as well as stealth-designed warships like the US navy's Sea Shadow experimental craft, the Zummwalt-Class Guided Missile Destroyer, and the Russian Navy's Akula-Class Ballistic Missile Submarine.

To the third point, I remember you making a background ship design that had 6 large engine exhausts in a row at the back, and I thought (and I think commented?) that it looked like you emulated the XB-70! I think it's cool to think about your prior designs and see if they meet the three criteria you've laid out here, and for the most part, I think you have! Thinking about specific experimental planes, like early vertical takeoff/vertical landing planes, like the SNECMA Coleoptere, Lockheed XFV, or Convair XFY "Pogo," the Slave I is a similar example I think. It's just enough sci-fi, but it could be based in the real world of taking off and landing on your back. And in reverse, the Satine Kryze's Coronet yacht, that thin, tall, red and white cruise liner seems like it draws from airships, with a flipped gondola on top, mixed with a catamaran-yacht like boat. Especially when it first comes into full view, if I'm remembering correctly, it starts out looking like a small ship, like the silver Nabooian yacht, but as it speeds up, the tower structure rises above the clouds, much like a catamaran rising out of the water at speed. Also makes me think of a wealthy, private skyscraper I keep thinking about this! Manadlorian fighters and shuttles, with the moving wings? That's a real thing that has been made! Beyond just tiltrotors, like the V-22, the Hiller X-18 was a *tilt-wing!* The entire wing rotated up, with the engines attached, to make shorter or vertical take-offs. I love your video, it's giving me so much to think about now!!

This is the best video I have ever seen describing this form of topic thank you for this type content

Great, well thought through analysis. Thanks EC Henry!

Metal flaps and panels are everywhere. Every ship across the board is made of patchworks of metal panels put together like puzzle-pieces, straight or curved.

Another HUGE component of Star Wars design for any artist interested is the field of Technical Drawing, differentiated from just drawing, or rendering, or painting. Technical Drawing is most often employed to produce realistically proportioned scale drawings of 3D objects using orthographic projections. Syd Mead who's art inspired Ralph McQuarrie and McQuarrie himself both have backgrounds which include Technical Drawing as fundamental skills. The crisp, precise, industrial looking lines and forms which make Star Wars ships and technology look like they were actual real things manufactured for a purpose are produced largely due to this method of artwork, which involves heavy use of tools to allow the artist to create exactingly precise and clean lineart.

as a designer/engineer, i absolutely LOVED this video

Thank you for this video! I'm studying to become a concept artist, and this video really made a few things click for me!

I’ve been on a Star Wars world building kick for a while now. Which recently led me to finding all of those weird ww2 concept designs, early space and jet travel designs, and prototypes that a lot of Star Wars technology is based on. It’s made me obsessed with the idea of making a story that is basically ww2 set on a slightly more technologically advanced earth. With airship battleships and carriers. Crazy vortex jet stream jump drives. Genetic engineering that produces enhances humans that can be Jedi and sith like. Cyborgs or even real robots that can be the droids. What would ww2 look like with Star Wars tech?

Great video! Star Wars is so iconic and hits different. Thanks!

I think one of the key elements is that a lot of the classic ships resemble everyday objects. A pair of shoes, a comb, a hamburger...as well as an obvious military aircraft and aeronautical inspiration. Adding to that, nothing is surface clean or perfect, as if most of this ships were constantly being worked on. They are as rough as the characters and environments.

I don't know anything about your channel, but this is the content that earns a subscriber like me. This is great

Awesome video! Love love love it. The ships are so iconic and why I love Star Wars so viscerally (along with the sound design), but I could never explain why before now! Loved the screenshots too of A-Wing, Speeder Bike, etc inspirations.

Yes, please make more of these videos. I really enjoyed this one.

I saw that SSD model once at an "art of star wars" exhibition. It's BIG. Like, holy shit that's big. And it was beautiful. And the engines are those halogen reflector spots this get in the hotel bar.

colin cantwells desings were and ARE awesome, and as always, great video :)

Thank you, this was an awesome video! I learned a lot! Keep up the good work! I don't think this subject matter is quite as obscure as one might think, seeing that this video alone has 389,896 views just since Apris of THIS YEAR! Awesome!

Nicely done! This is a great video and sheds light on a whole bunch of things for me. Thanks man!

The algorithm may not like these style of starship videos but I absolutely do.

I enjoyed this immensely. More like this, please and thank you!

Even the ground unit. AT-AT took inspiration from ww1 A7V, then added head and legs on it. AT-ST's eyes always reminds me of sdkfz.251's front windows. Also some WW2 snowmobile looks like something could exist in Star Wars universe.

This was really good! I think those 3 elements you outlined really fit what I recognise as the classic Star Wars aesthetic.

I love the work you put in on your videos - they are wonderful brother

I'm sure this got mentioned, but there's a video with Fon Davis and Adam Savage where they touch on the differences between Star Trek and Star Wars visual language, and Adam made a very good point. In Star Trek, if there are five greeblies in a row, they will be identical, evenly spaced, and symetrical on the model. In Star Wars, if there are five greeblies, the fourth one will be missing and the fifth one will be different because it's a kludged-on replacement.

I think you hit the nail on the head when it comes to iconic visual design. Compare the set and feel of the ship from the original Alien to that of Covenant. The latter feels like any generic sci-fi ship.

The towering superstructure and low, broad hull of the star destroyer is very reminiscent of WW2 battleships, like the Yamato. They're even colored battleship grey.

Yeah, it's WWII planes and dogfights. I feel one of the big strengths about the design of the ships in Star Wars is that everything looks functional. Star Trek on the opposide is more smooth, because everything is to be services from the inside, but still with all parts of the iconic look fulfilling a specific purpose in-universe. Star Wars has that rugged look, with lots of stuff on the outside, which always feel like all the antennas and sensors and stuff that don't need a smooth surface in space. As example: When I look at star destroyers, It obviously can give a classic sailship broadside, but the triangular shape allows all the guns also to fire towards the front. Clearly a ship designed to fly frontally into the enemy, pass them, all while laying fire on them.

THIS IS MY NEW FAVOURITE VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER

It might be nice when diving into design to mention **the designers**. Part of what makes the design language cohesive is that the one guy - Ralph McQuarrie - illustrated all the original concept art for Ep.IV and was invited back to work on V & VI. There were still plenty of other artists and production designers involved, but I didn't hear any of their names either. I think analyzing which artists were involved in which films would illuminate a strong correlation between shifts in design thought.

Many thanks for posting. I love analysis Star War designs. I found it really interesting. I like to see more.

YES! Loved this video! I'd love to see a few more examples

I love that the Razor Crest was inspired by the A-10 Warthog.

dude that was epic. this is very insightful. thank you.

7:02 X-Wing design is based on Japanese Kyushu J7W "Shinden" (Magnificent Lightning) fighter from WWII

The Queen's Ship looks imo like if Howard Hughes rebuilt his Racer as an Jet Plane, which later got upgraded into the SR-71 :) And the N1 has the Speedboat, but also an Crossover between the Spitfire and also the smooth Design of Howard Hughes.

I loved this video. As a fantasy/SciFi artist, I am always looking for inspiration - combined with plausibility.

3:50tells a story in itself. Notice how much more detailed and, therefore, realistic the original version, which was designed on a drawing board and constructed by hand, than the CGI update, which is just the general shape designed by an algorithm

this was awesome, so interesting to go into the real world inspirtion for so many of the iconic star wars spacecraft designs

7:45 WHAT... I NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THAT ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

I build with lego. Mainly Star Wars ships and I didn't know any of this and it was great. Thanks its a lot of help

The green/red colors of the lasers immediately calls to mind WW2 tracers.

Very interesting! Can’t wait for more.

Loved this! Thank you for the dive into the design aesthetic of Star Wars.

I was just thinking about how Star Citizen actually does manage to pull this off pretty well, with the only real exception being variants that have the same general silhouette, and then the prowler came on screen. I think Drake Interplanetary's ship designs would actually work pretty well within the star wars universe.

My dad always told me that Star Wars as a whole is inspired by WW2 airplanes, and as I’ve grown up I’ve agreed more and more with him

This was huge. Mad respect for this in-depth breakdown

Kyushu J7W Shinden is the design inspiration for the X-Wing....along with the Supermarine Spitfire...

I definitely want to see more content like this!

Look at the GI Joe toys from the 80's they were building the prototypes with the same techniques as Star Wars. And the access to real military hardware and were looking at Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines for futuristic inspiration.

Brilliant! This is a master class on Design!

I remember when Star Wars first came out some people laughed at some of the designs. Guessing what they were made from. People would say that part comes from such as such Airfix model.

The Naboo ships seem more pre-WWII inspired. The Queens Yacht looks like a 1930s Phantom Corsair. The Naboo fighter looks like Howard Hughes's H-1.

This video is so incredibly interesting! thanks a lot for this!

I really liked the design of the Starfortress bomber

I really like the design of the Battlestar Galactica vehicles for the exact same reason

All of these points are why I think the Ghost in rebels is the best star wars ship of the last 10 years. Iconic silhouette, very primitive shapes with smaller details sparsely cut into it, and heavy inspiration on WWII bombing planes

This was pretty cool. More, please.

There's another small element I noticed, not so much a design one as a visual one. Star Wars ships are almost never painted in bright colours. They tend to be in utilitarian greys or whites. If they are painted in colours, they are usually duller, as if faded with time, and often have scratch marks and patches of wear. I think that really helps to sell the idea of a "used universe," as opposed to the pristine paint jobs of Star Trek.

Greeat work adn I would love to see more design based videos on Star Wars, Trek ...

Snow Speeder is THE best ship in Star Wars. Speeder Bike is another gorgeous machine.

Other thoughts for some of the ships goes to some symbolic shapes, the Star destroyers are a spear head, tie fighters look like an eye with black bat wings.

It would be cool to see Star Wars ships inspired by World War One aircraft. You don’t usually see biplane or triplane designs in the Star Wars universe (I don’t count the X-Wing design).

Dude, i LOVED this video!! I'd love to see more of this! The research and thought that went into it was amazing and j really felt a lot of those " _oh_ , how cool" moments, so yeah I'm a big fan :D

this was a good video for sure! I would like to hear more about this sort of things...

Awesome job!!! I think the next time they make an original Star Wars movie and they need "new" ships, that they use old model makers from the 70s/80s

This is was awesome, I super want more.

You know what would be cool? If somebody "reverse-engineered" the SW designs back to their inspirations - imagine a P-38 that looks like a Y-Wing, a lifting-body A-Wing, or a Douglas Ascender X-Wing. And then, remade some of the most iconic scenes with these models, taking SW from regular sci-fi into more of the dieselpunk style. There are already some attempts for this!

I assumed the Naboo fighter was a F-104 flying backwards with the wings clipped.

If you do continue to do this, and it would be amazing if you did, you could break down things specifically into factions or design lineages, like with what you did with the star destroyers, or how mon cala ships are designed.

“ Outrider 🥃🔥 “ My Baby 🌴

Dude that is straight up eye opening,