This article is about the Canadian graphic artist. For the Australian recipient of the George Cross, see
Hugh Syme (GC) .
Canadian graphic designer
Hugh Syme is a Canadian Juno Award -winning graphic artist and member of the Premier Artists Collection (PAC), best known for his artwork and cover concepts for rock and metal bands. He is also a musician and has contributed as a keyboard player on several Rush albums. Syme has been responsible for all of Rush's album cover art since 1975's Caress of Steel and is the creator of Rush's famous Starman logo. In 1983, he told Jeffrey Morgan that he never imagined the band would use it as their main logo.[ 1] Syme also plays piano on the album Thrilling Women, which Morgan recorded with Dean Motter .[ 2]
His client base includes major record companies such as Geffen Records , EMI Records , Mercury Records , RCA Records , Capitol Records , Sony Music , Atlantic Records , Warner Records , and A&M Records .[ 3]
Iron Maiden fans remember him best as the designer of The X Factor cover, which depicts the band's mascot Eddie in a dissection. It is noted for its gritty realism. While all previous Maiden albums featured oil paintings, the X Factor Eddie was a puppet with some digital enhancements to improve its appearance. In some countries, the cover was deemed so gruesome that a less graphic alternative was offered (the alternative cover is actually the back of the original CD booklet).
Def Leppard 's Retro Active album cover, which he co-designed with Nels Israelson, features a woman sitting at a dressing table, gazing into a mirror. From another perspective, the image takes the form of a skull (a type of vanitas art), with the woman's head forming the left eye socket and her reflected head in the mirror creating the right eye socket. The mirror itself shapes the skull, while the accessories on the dressing table form the nose, nostrils, and teeth. This design was inspired by Charles Allan Gilbert 's most famous work, All Is Vanity (1892).
Other bands for which Syme has created artwork include Megadeth , Saga , Styx , Altered State , Fates Warning , Whitesnake , Queensrÿche , Aerosmith , and Dream Theater .
Personal
Hugh Syme has studios in Toronto , Ontario, Canada, and in Indiana , USA. He is the co-host of the Music Buzzz Podcast, alongside Dane Clark and Andy Wilson.
Album cover art
Chronological list of Hugh Syme's album cover art (including studio, live, compilation and extended play LPs).
Year
Artist
Album
Role
1975
Rush
Caress of Steel [ 4]
Graphics
1975
Ian Thomas Band
Delights [ 5]
Graphics with John Fraser
1976
Ian Thomas Band
Calabash [ 5]
Graphics
1976
Rush
2112 [ 6]
Graphics and Starman Logo
1976
Rush
All the World's a Stage [ 7]
Graphics
1977
Rush
A Farewell to Kings [ 8]
Art direction and graphics
1977
Max Webster
High Class in Borrowed Shoes
Art direction and graphics
1978
Rush
Hemispheres [ 9]
Art direction with Bob King and graphics
1978
Rush
Archives [ 10]
Design with Bob King and graphics
1978
Klaatu
Sir Army Suit
Cover art
1978
Max Webster
Mutiny Up My Sleeve
Art direction and design
1979
Ian Thomas Band
Glider [ 5]
Graphics and design with Bob King
1979
Max Webster
Live Magnetic Air
Art direction and graphics
1980
Rush
Permanent Waves [ 3]
Art direction and graphics. Cover concept created with Neil Peart.
1980
Toronto
Lookin' for Trouble
Graphics and design with Michael Gray.
1981
Rush
Moving Pictures [ 11]
Art direction and graphics. Cover concept created with Deborah Samuel.
1981
Rush
Exit...Stage Left [ 12]
Art direction, graphics and cover concept
1982
Rush
Signals [ 13]
Art direction, graphics and cover concept
1982
Saga
In Transit [ 14]
Art direction and design
1982
Gowan
Gowan
Art direction, graphics and cover concept
1982
Harlequin
One False Move
Cover design
1983
Red Rider
Neruda
Art direction and cover design
1984
Rush
Grace Under Pressure [ 3]
Art direction and cover painting
1984
Ian Thomas Band
Riders on Dark Horses [ 5]
Art direction and design
1984
The Parachute Club
At the Feet of the Moon
Art direction and graphics with Deborah Samuel
1985
Rush
Power Windows [ 3]
Art direction, graphics and cover painting
1985
Virgin Steele
Noble Savage
Art direction and design
1985
Kick Axe
Welcome to the Club
Art direction and cover art
1985
Robotman and Friends
Straight from the Heart
Cover painting
1986
Eyes
Eyes
Art direction and design
1986
Lee Aaron
Call of the Wild
Cover design
1986
Quiet Riot
QR III
Art direction, design, cover art
1986
Kim Mitchell
Shakin' Like a Human Being
Art direction and design
1986
Outlaws
Soldiers of Fortune
Art direction, design, cover painting
1987
Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Cover art and Whitesnake emblem
1987
Billy Thorpe
Children of the Sun... Revisited
Art direction and design
1987
Y & T
Contagious
Art direction
1987
McAuley Schenker Group
Perfect Timing
Art direction and design
1987
Rush
Hold Your Fire [ 3]
Art direction
1988
Colortone
Colortone
Art direction and design
1988
Rhythm Corps
Common Ground
Art direction and design
1988
Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come
Art direction and design
1988
Lillian Axe
Lillian Axe
Art direction and design
1988
Night Ranger
Man in Motion
Art direction
1988
Brighton Rock
Take a Deep Breath
Art direction and design
1988
Dream Patrol
Phoning the Czar
Art direction and design
1988
Quiet Riot
QR
Art direction and design
1988
Survivor
Too Hot to Sleep
Art direction and design
1988
Black 'n Blue
In Heat
Art direction and design
1988
Bon Jovi
New Jersey
Art direction with Jon Bon Jovi and design
1988
Ian Thomas Band
Levity [ 5]
Art direction and design
1988
Prophet
Cycle of the Moon
Art direction and design
1989
Rush
Presto [ 15]
Art direction
1989
Rush
A Show of Hands [ 16]
Art direction and design
1989
Kingdom Come
In Your Face
Design
1989
Bad English
Bad English
Art direction and design
1989
Fates Warning
Perfect Symmetry [ 3]
Cover concept, art direction and design
1989
Whitesnake
Slip of the Tongue
Cover art
1989
Kim Mitchell
Rockland
Art direction and design
1989
World Trade
World Trade [ 3]
Cover art and design
1989
Bonfire
Point Blank
Art direction and design
1989
Babylon A.D.
Babylon A.D.
Art direction and design
1990
Magnum
Goodnight L.A. [ 3]
Cover art
1990
Rush
Chronicles [ 17]
Art direction
1990
Slaughter
Stick It to Ya
Cover design with Glen Wexler
1990
Styx
Edge of the Century
Art direction and design
1990
Warrant
Cherry Pie [ 3]
Art direction and design
1990
Hurricane
Slave to the Thrill
Art direction and design
1990
Celine Dion
Unison
Art direction and design
1990
The Northern Pikes
Snow in June
Art direction and design
1990
Mae Moore
Oceanview Motel
Art direction and design
1991
Dan Hill
Dance of Love
Art direction and design
1991
Steve Plunkett
My Attitude
Art direction and design
1991
Rush
Roll the Bones [ 3]
Art direction and design
1991
Great White
Hooked
Art direction and design
1991
The Boomers YYZ
What We Do
Art direction and design
1991
Kik Tracee
No Rules
Art direction and design
1991
Fates Warning
Parallels
Art direction and design
1991
Kix
Hot Wire
Art direction and design
1991
Bad English
Backlash
Art direction and design
1991
Contraband
Contraband
Art direction with Frenchy Gauthier and design
1991
The Storm
The Storm [ 3]
Art direction and design
1992
McAuley Schenker Group
M.S.G.
Art direction and design
1992
House of Lords
Demons Down
Design with Glen Wexler
1992
54•40
Dear Dear [ 3]
Art direction and design
1992
Kiss
Revenge
Art direction
1992
Skew Siskin
Skew Siskin
Art direction and design
1992
The Jeff Healey Band
Feel This
Art direction and design with Tom Stephen
1992
Me Phi Me
One
Art direction
1992
Steelheart
Tangled in Reins
Art direction and design
1992
21 Guns
Salute
Art direction and design
1992
Megadeth
Countdown to Extinction [ 3]
Art direction and design
1992
Unruly Child
Unruly Child [ 3]
Art direction and design
1992
Sister Whiskey
Sister Whiskey (Liquor & Poker)
Cover art
1992
Impellitteri
Grin and Bear It
Prop design
1993
Aerosmith
Get a Grip [ 3]
Cover design
1993
Altered State
Dos
Art direction, design
1993
Def Leppard
Retro Active [ 3]
Art direction, design and digital illustration with Nels Israelson
1993
Coverdale/Page
Coverdale/Page
Art direction and design
1993
Helix
It's a Business Doing Pleasure
Cover art and design
1993
Damn the Machine
Damn the Machine
Art direction and design
1993
Every Mother's Nightmare
Wake Up Screaming
Art direction and design
1993
Rush
Counterparts [ 18]
Art direction, illustrations and design
1993
BulletBoys
Za-Za
Lettering, letter design
1993
The Boomers
The Art of Living
Art direction, illustrations and design
1993
The Band
Jericho
Cover art, art direction and design
1994
Stray Cats
Choo Choo Hot Fish
Art direction and design
1994
Roger Clinton
Nothing Good Comes Easy
Artwork and design
1994
Dave Edmunds
Plugged In
Art direction and design
1994
Whitesnake
Greatest Hits
Art direction and design
1994
Megadeth
Youthanasia [ 3]
Design and digital illustration. Art direction with Tommy Steele.
1994
Queensrÿche
Promised Land
Art direction, design and digital illustration
1994
Tesla
Bust a Nut [ 3]
Artwork, art direction, design
1994
Fates Warning
Inside Out
Artwork and design
1994
Various artists
Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich
Art direction and design
1995
Iron Maiden
The X Factor [ 3]
Art direction, design, illustrations, digital illustrations
1996
Celine Dion
Live à Paris [ 3]
Art direction, graphic concept
1996
Rush
Test for Echo [ 3]
Art direction, design and digital illustration
1996
The Band
High on the Hog
Art direction and design
1996
The Boomers
25 Thousand Days
Art direction, illustrations and design
1996
Earth, Wind & Fire
Greatest Hits Live
Art direction and design
1996
Pod
Headed for the Zeros
Art direction, illustrations and design
1997
Alice Cooper
A Fistful of Alice [ 3]
Cover design
1997
Queensrÿche
Hear in the Now Frontier [ 3]
Art direction, artwork and design with Dimo Safari
1997
Supertramp
Some Things Never Change [ 3]
Art direction and design
1997
Megadeth
Cryptic Writings
Art Direction, design and illustrations
1997
Rush
Retrospective I [ 19]
Art direction and design
1997
Rush
Retrospective II [ 19]
Art direction, design and cover painting
1997
Whitesnake
Restless Heart [ 3]
Art direction, emblem design and cover concept with Dimo Safari and David Coverdale
1997
Earth, Wind and Fire
In the Name of Love
Art direction, design and digital illustration
1997
Various artists
Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2
Art direction and design
1998
Arena
The Visitor [ 3]
Art direction and design
1998
Rush
Different Stages [ 20]
Art direction, illustration and design
1998
Uriah Heep
Classic Heep: An Anthology
Art direction and design
1999
The Kings
The Kings Are Here..and More
Design
1999
Tiles
Presents of Mind
Cover concept, artwork and design
1999
Henry Lee Summer
Smoke and Mirrors
Art direction and design
1999
Charlotte Church
Charlotte Church
Art direction, design and photography
2000
Arena
Immortal? [ 3]
Art direction and design
2000
Queensrÿche
Greatest Hits
Art direction and design
2000
Carrie Newcomer
Age of Possibility
Art direction and design
2001
Jennie Devoe
Does She Walk on Water
Art direction and design
2001
Megadeth
The World Needs a Hero
Art direction, design and illustrations
2001
Deep Blue Something
Deep Blue Something
Art direction and design
2001
The Bacon Brothers
Can't Complain
Art direction, design and illustrations
2001
Deana Carter
Father Christmas
Design
2002
Rush
Vapor Trails [ 21]
Art direction, paintings and portraits
2002
Heather Myles
Sweet Talk and Good Lies
Art direction and design
2002
Styx
At the River's Edge: Live in St. Louis
Logo design
2002
Carrie Newcomer
The Gathering of Spirits
Art direction and design
2002
The Boomers
Midway
Art direction, illustrations and design
2003
The Allman Brothers Band
Hittin' the Note
Art direction, illustrations
2003
Extol
Synergy [ 22]
Cover art
2003
Rush
Rush in Rio [ 23]
Art direction, illustrations and design
2003
Rush
The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987 [ 24]
Art direction and design
2003
The Wayfaring Strangers
This Train
Art direction
2003
Quill •Tolhurst
So Rudely Interrupted
Cover art and graphics
2004
Travis Larson
Burn Season
Art direction
2004
Billy Jonas
Get Real
Art direction, illustrations and design
2004
Carrie Newcomer
Betty's Diner: The Best of Carrie Newcomer
Art direction and design
2004
Tiles
Window Dressing
Artwork, photography and design
2004
Rush
Feedback (EP)[ 25]
Art direction, illustrations and design
2005
Various artists
Subdivisions: A Tribute to Rush
Art direction and design
2005
Dream Theater
Octavarium
Art direction, illustrations and design
2005
Nevermore
This Godless Endeavor
Cover art
2005
Bad Moon Rising
Full Moon Collection
Design
2005
Carrie Newcomer
Regulars and Refugees
Art direction and design
2005
Rush
R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour
Art direction, illustrations and design
2006
Oneside
Oneside
Art direction, illustrations and design
2006
Rush
Gold [ 26]
Art direction and design
2006
Rush
Rush Replay X 3
Art direction and design
2006
Stone Sour
Come What(ever) May
Art direction, illustrations and design
2007
Dream Theater
Systematic Chaos
Art direction, illustrations and design
2007
Rush
Snakes & Arrows [ 27]
Art direction, illustrations and design
2007
Queensrÿche
Sign of the Times: The Best of Queensrÿche
Art direction, illustrations and design
2007
Byron Nemeth Group
The Force Within
Art direction, illustrations and design
2007
Krista Detor
Cover Their Eyes
Art direction and design
2007
Charlotte Church
The Charlotte Church Show
Art direction, photography and design
2008
Oneside
First, to Last
Art direction and design
2008
Tiles
Fly Paper
Artwork, design, photography, and illustrations
2008
Dream Theater
Greatest Hit (...And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs)
Art direction, design, photography, and illustrations
2008
Dream Theater
Chaos in Motion 2007–2008
Artwork and design
2008
Cynic (UK)
Suburban Crisis
Art Direction, Photography, and Design
2008
Rush
Snakes & Arrows Live [ 28]
Art direction, illustrations and design
2008
Bob Mover
It Amazes Me
Art direction, photography and design
2009
Queensrÿche
American Soldier
Art direction, illustrations and design
2009
Rush
Retrospective 3 [ 29]
Art direction and design
2009
Rush
Grace Under Pressure Tour
Art direction and design
2009
Dream Theater
Black Clouds & Silver Linings [ 30]
Art direction, illustrations and design
2009
Flying Machines
Flying Machines
Art direction, illustrations and design
2010
Carrie Newcomer
Before & After
Art direction and design
2010
Krista Detor
Chocolate Paper Suites
Art direction, illustrations and design
2010
Rush
Icon
Cover art
2011
Rush
Icon 2
Cover art
2011
3 Doors Down
Time of My Life
Cover concept, art direction, illustrations and design
2011
Dream Theater
A Dramatic Turn of Events
Art direction and design
2011
Rush
Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland
Art direction and design
2012
Betrayer
Betrayer
Art direction, artwork and design
2012
Rush
Clockwork Angels
Cover art
2012
Rush
2112 5.1
Art direction and design
2012
Tiles
Off the Floor 01
Cover art
2013
Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Cover and album design
2014
Carrie Newcomer
A Permeable Life
2014
Tiles
Off the Floor 02
Cover art
2014
Flying Colors
Second Nature [ 31]
art direction, design, illustrations
2014
Dream Theater
Breaking the Fourth Wall
Cover art
2017
Rush
A Farewell To Kings-40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Art Direction and design
2018
Rush
Hemispheres-40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Art Direction and design
2018
Alien Country
Like My Life Depends On It Archived 2018-12-05 at the Wayback Machine
Art Director, artwork and design
2019
Dream Theater
Distance Over Time
Cover art
2020
Rush
Permanent Waves-40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Art Direction and design
2020
Gustavo Carmo (feat. Brian Tichy, Rudy Sarzo & Derek Sherinian)
On and Off
Cover art
2020
Wandering X
Carved in Stone
Cover art
2020
Dream Theater
Distant Memories - Live in London
Cover art
2021
Rivers & Rust
"What a Waste"
Cover art
2021
Wandering X
Life Expectancy
Cover art
2021
Joe Bonamassa
Time Clocks
Cover art
2021
Carrie Newcomer
Until Now
Cover art
2021
Fairy Tale
That Is The Question
Cover art
2021
Dream Theater
A View from the Top of the World
Cover art
2021
Benjamin Croft
Far & Distant Things
Cover art
2022
Talas
1985
Cover art
2022
Rush
Moving Pictures (40th Anniversary)
Art Direction and design
2022
TRIBUTES
Songs for Neil Vol. 3
Cover art
2022
Brother Dynamite
If We Dare
Cover art
2022
Dane Clark
Memory Mile
Cover art
2022
A-Z
A-Z
Cover art
2022
SOMA
Headed for the Zeros
Cover art
2022
Hilario Durán and David Virelles
Front Street Duets
Cover art
2023
Arch Echo
Final Pitch
Artwork, Illustration, Design
2025
Dream Theater
Parasomnia
Cover art, album design
Discography
Syme has contributed as a musician with Ian Thomas Band,[ 32] Rush and Tiles.
with Ian Thomas Band
Delights - piano, Fender Rhodes, Mellotron and background vocals
Calabash - keyboards, background vocals and creative companionship and album cover artwork
Still Here - keyboards and background vocals (co-arrangement on "I Really Love You" and "Tinkerbell")
Glider - keyboards and all songs arranged with Ian Thomas
The Runner - keyboards and background vocals
with Rush
with Tiles
Window Dressing - keyboards on "Slippers in the Snow"
Fly Paper - keyboards on "Crowded Emptiness" and solo piano on "Passing Notes"
with Alice in Chains
2112 - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Reissue - Mellotron, string arrangement, woodwinds, and boy's choir on Geddy Lee's re-released song "Tears"
with Jim McCarty
Walking in the Wild Land - Piano, nylon and steel string acoustic guitar, synths, string arrangements, boy's choir, Mellotron on "Changing Times", "Dancing Leaves" and "So Many Questions". James Stanley McCarty (born 25 July 1943) is an English musician, best known as the drummer for the Yardbirds and Renaissance.
Awards
Juno Awards : 5 wins and 18 nominations.[ 34]
References
^ Morgan, Jeffrey. CREEM Magazine, 1983.
^ Thrilling Women: The Lost Air Pirates Sessions – Toronto: 1978 – 1980
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Hugh Syme" . Hugh Syme. Archived from the original on 2014-07-30. Retrieved 2014-07-23 .
^ [1] Archived March 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ a b c d e [2] Archived October 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ a b [3] Archived February 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [4] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [5] Archived February 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [6] Archived February 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [7] Archived April 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ a b [8] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [9] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [10] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ "SAGA: In transit ::" . Saga-denmark.com. 1982-02-05. Archived from the original on 2014-07-26. Retrieved 2014-07-23 .
^ [11] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [12] Archived May 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [13] Archived April 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [14] Archived February 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ a b [15] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [16] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [17] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Extol cover" . Ecx.images-amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23 .
^ [18] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [19] Archived April 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [20] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [21] Archived April 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [22] Archived February 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ [23] Archived December 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ [24] Archived April 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Mike Portnoy on Eddie Trunk Show" . FileFront.com. 2009-03-17. Archived from the original on 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2009-03-18 .
^ "Radiant Records. Flying Colors - Second Nature" . radiantrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-10. Retrieved 2014-08-09 .
^ "Official Site of Ian Thomas Band" . Archived from the original on 2009-10-25.
^ [25] Archived February 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Juno Awards site" .
External links
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