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The Star Wars Sketchbook

Joe Johnston

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Summary

Joe Johnston’s line drawings preserve an early part of the design work behind the original Star Wars. The 1977 illustrated collection brings together sketches by the film’s concept artist and visual-effects art director. It is an early Lucasfilm making-of publication rather than a fictional guide to the finished universe.

  • SourceLucasfilm — History in Objects: The Art of Star Wars · September 24, 2021, first two paragraphs: company publishing staff and 1977 Sketchbook of concept artist/art director Joe Johnston’s line drawings for George Lucas’s production.
  • SourceGoogle Books — publisher bibliographic record · Bibliographic information: Joe Johnston, illustrated Ballantine Books edition, 1977, 96 pages, ISBN 034527380X / 9780345273802.

Why read it Our view

For founders directing visual or physical products, use these working drawings to discuss how an idea is made clear enough for other specialists to develop. The book is a design artifact; its existence alone does not prove a particular team process.

Written about

  • George LucasProduction-art subject
    The collection presents Johnston’s design work for Lucas’s original Star Wars production. Johnston is the author and artist; no Lucas authorship, endorsement or personal reading claim is made.
    Source