yellow submarine graphics by heinz edelmann, 1968 image thebeatles german graphic designer and illustrator heinz edelmann, best known for his work as art director of the 1968 beatles film yellow submarine died on july 21st, aged 75.

born in 1934 in aussig in the former czechoslovakia, edelmann studied at the dusseldorf art academy and became a freelance graphic designer in 1958.

edelmann was a poster artist who created the psychedelic, surrealistic look of the animated film revolving around beatles songs. he made the original drawings for the blue meanies, apple bonkers and other characters, casting them in a flat, two-dimensional style that popped with vivid colors. ron campbell did the animation for the film, which was produced by al brodax and directed by george dunning.

he also designed many book covers, including the first german edition of tolkien’s ‘lord of the rings’

and won the contest to design the mascot of the expo ’92 world fair in spain. read more heinz edelmann 1934   2009 the blue meanies from the film yellow submarine, 1968 image thebeatles