Tommy Arnold · Studio Tommy
Concept Artist + Illustrator, CDG 892
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Murderbot | Concept Design

I was lucky enough to be asked to work on the Murderbot show currently airing on Apple TV+! Starting with the pitch I was assigned to work on the suit/armor for SecUnit, as played by Alexander Skarsgård (not yet cast at that point). I was already quite familiar with the subject matter from my time working on the Subterranean Press illustrated editions of these stories, and had a blast iterating this design from early scroobles through to a final(ish) pre-production concept ready to be turned over the the Costume Design department.

During the early stages the design was directed by Production Designer Sue Chan, Interim Costume Designer Joyce Schure, and the Showrunners Chris and Paul Weitz. Later Costume Designer Laura Jean Shannon and her team, including artists Gina DeDomenico and Jason Pastrana took it all the way home. Truly, it takes a village. The collaboration and mixing/sharing of ideas was one of the most enjoyable parts of this whole process; every time we got to change the suit for one reason or another, it got better. Also: the show is great, which is really the cherry on top. Go check it out!

Murderbot, Final Pre-Production Design. This is the design as it stood when I passed the baton to Costume Designer LJ Shannon and her amazing team. Artists Gina DeDomenico and Jason Pastrana later contributed a lot of awesome work to the final look!

Murderbot, Final Pre-Production Design.

This is the design as it stood when I passed the baton to Costume Designer LJ Shannon and her amazing team. Artists Gina DeDomenico and Jason Pastrana later contributed a lot of awesome work to the final look!

Alexander Skarsgård in the suit, as seen on Apple TV+.

Alexander Skarsgård in the suit, as seen on Apple TV+.

Murderbot, The Nano Skinsuit. Kym Barrett advised on the seam patterns and construction of the under-suit. Later, Interim Costume Designer Joyce Schure and I hit upon the idea of using the Company logo as a repeat pattern all over.

Murderbot, The Nano Skinsuit.

Kym Barrett advised on the seam patterns and construction of the under-suit. Later, Interim Costume Designer Joyce Schure and I hit upon the idea of using the Company logo as a repeat pattern all over.

Murderbot, Helmet Explorations. Just a few of the jillion helmets we explored while looking for “the one.” In the end it was 6b that became the seed for the Murderbot you see on screen; the helmet was expertly adapted by Jason Pastrana and CD LJ Shannon.

Murderbot, Helmet Explorations.

Just a few of the jillion helmets we explored while looking for “the one.” In the end it was 6b that became the seed for the Murderbot you see on screen; the helmet was expertly adapted by Jason Pastrana and CD LJ Shannon.

Detail of the helmet, as seen on Apple TV+.

Detail of the helmet, as seen on Apple TV+.

Murderbot, Body Composition Explorations. These started as a simple exercise in showcasing the design of Murderbot’s built-in energy weapons. As I painted, they became explorations of how Murderbot would be “built," when its body was finally revealed.

Murderbot, Body Composition Explorations.

These started as a simple exercise in showcasing the design of Murderbot’s built-in energy weapons. As I painted, they became explorations of how Murderbot would be “built," when its body was finally revealed.

Pew Pew! The energy weapons in action on Apple TV+.

Pew Pew! The energy weapons in action on Apple TV+.

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