Storm Thorgerson
The visionary behind the prism, the pig, and the visual soul of Pink Floyd.
Storm Elvin Thorgerson (28 February 1944 – 18 April 2013) was an English art director and music video director best known for his lifelong collaboration with Pink Floyd. Born in Potters Bar, Middlesex, he attended Cambridgeshire High School for Boys in Cambridge, where he was a year older than future bandmate Roger Waters and two years older than Syd Barrett, before studying at the University of Leicester and the Royal College of Art. Alongside Aubrey Powell, he founded the graphic art group Hipgnosis in 1968, creating surreal album covers that redefined rock visuals. His career spanned decades and included work with artists like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Muse, but his most enduring legacy remains the iconic imagery he crafted for Pink Floyd.
- Role
- Album Cover Designer & Visual Artist
- Affiliation
- Hipgnosis Co-founder / Pink Floyd Collaborator
- Key Contribution
- Visual Identity of the Classic Era
- Status
- Deceased (2013)
- Notable Works
- The Dark Side of the Moon, Animals, The Wall
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Thorgerson's relationship with Pink Floyd began at Cambridgeshire High School for Boys in Cambridge, where he was a year older than Roger Waters and two years older than Syd Barrett. In 1968, he co-founded Hipgnosis with Aubrey Powell, later joined by Peter Christopherson for later commissions. Their work for Pink Floyd produced some of the most recognizable images in music history, including the cover for The Dark Side of the Moon, designed by Thorgerson and Hipgnosis but drawn by George Hardie at NTA Studios. Thorgerson described his method as 'messing with reality' to make objects appear awkward yet beautiful within vast spaces. After Hipgnosis dissolved in 1983, he formed Greenback Films with Powell and later inaugurated Storm Studios in the early nineties with Peter Curzon. This loose collective of freelancers continued producing surreal art until his death.
In Their Own Story
In 2003, Thorgerson suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, yet he remained a tireless worker until the end. He was later diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and passed away in London on 18 April 2013 at age 69. His final project, The Gathering Storm – A Quartet in Several Parts, was completed just before his death and released in September 2013, spanning five decades of work from Hipgnosis to StormStudios. David Gilmour described him as 'a constant force in my life' and a great friend who was best man at his wedding. Pink Floyd's official site hailed him as a 'graphic genius,' while Nick Mason noted his relentless work ethic. In 2013, Prog Magazine renamed its Grand Design Award after him, honoring his continued contributions to the band.
Reader's Guide
Thorgerson's visual approach rejected traditional contexts, often placing objects in vast spaces to create an awkward yet beautiful surrealism. He stated, 'I like photography because it is a reality medium... I like to mess with reality.' His team produced several books documenting their work, starting with Classic Album Covers of 60s in 1989 and ending with The Gathering Storm posthumously. Beyond album covers, Thorgerson directed music videos for acts including Pink Floyd's 'Learning to Fly' and 'High Hopes,' as well as hits for 10cc, Yes, and David Gilmour. His legacy includes two documentaries: Taken by Storm (2015) and Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) released in 2022.
Did You Know?
- Thorgerson attended Cambridgeshire High School for Boys, where he was a year older than Roger Waters and two years older than Syd Barrett.
- The prism on The Dark Side of the Moon cover was drawn by George Hardie, not Thorgerson himself.
- Thorgerson suffered a stroke in 2003 that caused some physical impairment, but he continued working until his death from cancer in 2013.
- Prog Magazine renamed its Grand Design Award to the 'Storm Thorgerson Grand Design Award' in 2014.
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