Hugh Syme

{{About|the Canadian graphic artist|the Australian recipient of the George Cross|Hugh Syme (GC)}}

{{Infobox artist

| name = Hugh Syme

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Hugh Syme

| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1953}}

| birth_place = Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| movement =

| awards =

| patrons =

| website = {{URL|http://www.hughsyme.com}}

| field = Graphic artist, keyboardist

| training =

| works = {{ubl

| Rush art direction

| Iron Maiden - The X Factor

| Dream Theater - Octavarium

| Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction

}}

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.

Career

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.Morgan, Jeffrey. CREEM Magazine, 1983. Syme also plays piano on the album Thrilling Women, which Morgan recorded with Dean Motter.[http://bongobeat.com/JefMo_ThrWo.php Thrilling Women: The Lost Air Pirates Sessions – Toronto: 1978 – 1980]

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.hughsyme.com/test.html |title=Hugh Syme |publisher=Hugh Syme |access-date=2014-07-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730192150/http://www.hughsyme.com/test.html |archive-date=2014-07-30 }}

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.

Controversy

= Clip art and stock imagery usage =

Syme has been criticized for his usage of clip art and stock imagery. In 2011, heavy metal music-themed news website MetalSucks called attention to the clip art Syme used for Dream Theater's A Dramatic Turn of Events, as well as noted the same clip art image appears on Norwegian progressive metal band Circus Maximus's 2005 album The 1st Chapter.{{Cite web |last=Neilstein |first=Vince |date=2011-08-08 |title=DREAM THEATER USED CLIP ART FOR THEIR NEW ALBUM COVER |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/08/08/dream-theater-used-clip-art-for-their-album-cover/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2010-02-14 |title=Circus Maximus Official Website - www.circusmaximussite.com |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214212724/http://www.circusmaximussite.com/discography.htm |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=web.archive.org}} As written by MetalSucks: "Dream Theater might’ve gotten away with it if wasn’t for those pesky kids in Circus Maximus, whose 2005 album featured the very same $15.00 clip art image on the cover."

= Double-selling artwork allegations =

Upon release of Dream Theater's Parasomnia in February 2025, allegations quickly emerged of Syme potentially double-selling artwork, as his Parasomnia artwork appeared identical to his artwork on Orion's The Lightbringers{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2025-02-10 |title=Artist Called Out For Allegedly Licensing Same Piece Of Artwork To Dream Theater & Orion |url=https://www.theprp.com/2025/02/10/news/artist-called-out-for-allegedly-licensing-same-piece-of-artwork-to-dream-theater-orion/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}}, released six-months prior on August 16, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Mind |first=The Prog |date=2024-08-14 |title=Orion – The Lightbringers |url=https://theprogmind.com/2024/08/14/orion-the-lightbringers/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=The PROG Mind |language=en}} Taking to social media on February 7, 2025, Orion's Ben Jones called out Syme in a Facebook post: "Is this for real?! A piece of artwork in the new Dream Theater deluxe edition is the EXACT same piece of artwork that was in The Lightbringers booklet for the song 'The Ghosts Among Us' ... Hugh Syme did the artwork for my album and theirs, so I think I can see where this is going..."{{Cite web |last=Seneca |date=2025-02-11 |title=Dream Theater’s Artist Accused of Selling the Same Artwork to Multiple Bands |url=https://themosh.net/dream-theaters-artist-accused-of-selling-the-same-artwork-to-multiple-bands/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=The Mosh Network |language=en-US}} While Syme remained silent on the matter, Jones followed up: "I’ve never suggested plagiarism – in fact, I’ve repeatedly emphasized that Dream Theater are also victims of Hugh’s negligence." As Dream Theater's manager Frank Solomon reached out privately to Jones, Jones recalled: "We had a very amicable exchange ... Despite owing me nothing, Frank made a very kind offer, which I plan to accept. I want to be clear – Dream Theater committed no wrongdoing in this situation."{{Cite web |last=Mäenpää |first=Arto |date=2025-02-11 |title=Artist under fire for allegedly selling same artwork to both Dream Theater and Orion |url=https://chaoszine.net/artist-under-fire-for-allegedly-selling-same-artwork-to-both-dream-theater-and-orion/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Chaoszine |language=en-US}}

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).

class="wikitable"

style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"

! Year

! Artist

! Album

! Role

1975

| Rush

| Caress of Steel[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/COSlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327112035/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/COSlyrics.htm|date=March 27, 2009}}

| Graphics

1975

| Ian Thomas Band

| Delights [http://www.ianthomasband.com/index.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025124856/http://www.ianthomasband.com/index.htm|date=October 25, 2009}}

| Graphics with John Fraser

1976

| Ian Thomas Band

| Calabash

| Graphics

1976

| Rush

| 2112[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/2112lyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223150724/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/2112lyrics.htm|date=February 23, 2009}}

| Graphics and Starman Logo

1976

| Rush

| All the World's a Stage[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/AWSlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185822/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/AWSlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| Graphics

1977

| Rush

| A Farewell to Kings[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/AF2Klyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219234221/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/AF2Klyrics.htm|date=February 19, 2009}}

| Art direction and graphics

1977

| Max Webster

| High Class in Borrowed Shoes

| Art direction and graphics

1978

| Rush

| Hemispheres[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/HEMlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220110923/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/HEMlyrics.htm|date=February 20, 2009}}

| Art direction with Bob King and graphics

1978

| Rush

| Archives[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/ARCHlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414213215/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/ARCHlyrics.htm|date=April 14, 2009}}

| 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

| Graphics and design with Bob King

1979

| Max Webster

| Live Magnetic Air

| Art direction and graphics

1980

| Rush

| Permanent Waves

| 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[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/MPlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185912/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/MPlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| Art direction and graphics. Cover concept created with Deborah Samuel.

1981

| Rush

| Exit...Stage Left[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/ESLlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185842/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/ESLlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| Art direction, graphics and cover concept

1982

| Rush

| Signals[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/SIGlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185958/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/SIGlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| Art direction, graphics and cover concept

1982

| Saga

| In Transit{{cite web |url=http://www.saga-denmark.com/saga-denmark_files/10_So_good_so_far/sgsf_02_01.htm |title=SAGA: In transit :: |publisher=Saga-denmark.com |date=1982-02-05 |access-date=2014-07-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726141627/http://www.saga-denmark.com/saga-denmark_files/10_So_good_so_far/sgsf_02_01.htm |archive-date=2014-07-26 }}

| 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

| Art direction and cover painting

1984

| Ian Thomas Band

| Riders on Dark Horses

| 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

| 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

| 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

| Art direction and design

1988

| Prophet

| Cycle of the Moon

| Art direction and design

1989

| Rush

| Presto[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/PRESTOlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185918/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/PRESTOlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| Art direction

1989

| Rush

| A Show of Hands[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/ASOHlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505131359/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/ASOHlyrics.htm|date=May 5, 2009}}

| 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

| 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

| 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.

| Cover art

1990

| Rush

| Chronicles[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/CHRNlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426003323/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/CHRNlyrics.htm|date=April 26, 2009}}

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| Art direction and design

1992

| Unruly Child

| Unruly Child

| 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

| Cover design

1993

| Altered State

| Dos

| Art direction, design

1993

| Def Leppard

| Retro Active

| 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[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/CPlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223160556/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/CPlyrics.htm|date=February 23, 2009}}

| 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

| Design and digital illustration. Art direction with Tommy Steele.

1994

| Queensrÿche

| Promised Land

| Art direction, design and digital illustration

1994

| Tesla

| Bust a Nut

| 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

| Art direction, design, illustrations, digital illustrations

1996

| Celine Dion

| Live à Paris

| Art direction, graphic concept

1996

| Rush

| Test for Echo

| 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

| Cover design

1997

| Queensrÿche

| Hear in the Now Frontier

| Art direction, artwork and design with Dimo Safari

1997

| Supertramp

| Some Things Never Change

| Art direction and design

1997

| Megadeth

| Cryptic Writings

| Art Direction, design and illustrations

1997

| Rush

| Retrospective I[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/RETROlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223174028/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/RETROlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| Art direction and design

1997

| Rush

| Retrospective II

| Art direction, design and cover painting

1997

| Whitesnake

| Restless Heart

| 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

| Art direction and design

1998

| Rush

| Different Stages[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/DSlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185837/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/DSlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| 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?

| 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[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/VTlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223190008/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/VTlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| 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{{cite web|url=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qd-QLGr-L.jpg |title=Extol cover |publisher=Ecx.images-amazon.com |access-date=2014-07-23}}

| Cover art

2003

| Rush

| Rush in Rio[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/RIOlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185933/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/RIOlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| Art direction, illustrations and design

2003

| Rush

| The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/SORlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425194909/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/SORlyrics.htm|date=April 25, 2009}}

| 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)[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/FBKlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185847/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/FBKlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| 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[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/GOLDlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425195021/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/GOLDlyrics.htm|date=April 25, 2009}}

| 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[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/S&Alyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224053312/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/S%26Alyrics.htm|date=February 24, 2009}}

| 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[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/S&ALlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223185948/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/S%26ALlyrics.htm|date=December 23, 2008}}

| 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[http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/RETRO3lyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425195034/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/RETRO3lyrics.htm|date=April 25, 2009}}

| Art direction and design

2009

| Rush

| Grace Under Pressure Tour

| Art direction and design

2009

| Dream Theater

| Black Clouds & Silver Linings{{cite web|url= http://files.filefront.com/mp+on+trunk+show+3+march+0mp3/;13481506;/fileinfo.html|title= Mike Portnoy on Eddie Trunk Show|access-date= 2009-03-18|publisher= FileFront.com|date= 2009-03-17|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090322201939/http://files.filefront.com/mp+on+trunk+show+3+march+0mp3/;13481506;/fileinfo.html|archive-date= 2009-03-22|url-status= dead}}

| 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{{cite web|url= http://www.radiantrecords.com/products/503-flying-colors-second-nature.aspx|title= Radiant Records. Flying Colors - Second Nature|access-date= 2014-08-09|publisher= radiantrecords.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140810042636/http://www.radiantrecords.com/products/503-flying-colors-second-nature.aspx|archive-date= 2014-08-10|url-status= dead}}

| 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

|[https://www.aliencountry.org Alien Country]

|[https://www.aliencountry.bandcamp.com/releases Like My Life Depends on It] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205072202/https://aliencountry.bandcamp.com/releases |date=2018-12-05 }}

|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

2023

| Rush

|Signals (40th Anniversary)

| Artwork, Illustration, Design

2024

| Orion

|The Lightbringers

| Art direction, Design

2024

| Robert Jon & the Wreck

|Red Moon Rising

| Art direction, Design

2024

| Black Country Communion

| Art direction, Illustration, Design

2025

| Dane Clark

|Guru's, Hitmen & Heaven

| Art direction, Illustration, Design

2025

| Dream Theater

|Parasomnia

| Cover art, album design

2025

| A-Z

|A-Z²

| Cover art

Discography

Syme has contributed as a musician with Ian Thomas Band,{{cite web|url=http://www.ianthomasband.com/index.htm |title=Official Site of Ian Thomas Band |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025124856/http://www.ianthomasband.com/index.htm |archive-date=2009-10-25 }} 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

2112 - ARP synthesizer intro to "2112: Overture" and Mellotron and ARP Odyssey on "Tears"
Permanent Waves - piano on "Different Strings" [http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/PeWlyrics.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222221841/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/PeWlyrics.htm|date=February 22, 2009}}
Moving Pictures - synthesizers on "Witch Hunt"

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.junoawards.ca |title=Juno Awards site}}

1999: Best Album Design nomination - Different Stages by Rush, with Geddy Lee and Andrew MacNaughtan
1993: Best Album Design nomination - Dear Dear by 54-40
1992: Best Album Design nomination - Big House by Big House
1992: Best Album Design win - Roll the Bones by Rush
1991: Best Album Design nomination - Oceanview Motel by Mae Moore
1991: Best Album Design nomination - Snow in June by The Northern Pikes
1990: Best Album Design win - Presto by Rush
1990: Best Album Design nomination - Rockland by Kim Mitchell
1989: Best Album Graphics win - Levity by Ian Thomas
1986: Best Album Graphics nomination - Robot Man and Friends by Peter Shelly, with Heather Brown and Peter Shelly
1986: Best Album Graphics win - Power Windows by Rush, with Dimo Safari
1985: Best Album Graphics nomination - At the Feet of the Moon by Parachute Club, with Deborah Samuel
1983: Best Album Graphics nomination - Signals by Rush
1983: Best Album Graphics nomination - One False Move by Harlequin
1982: Best Album Graphics nomination - Exit...Stage Left by Rush, with Deborah Samuel
1982: Best Album Graphics win - Moving Pictures by Rush, with Deborah Samuel
1981: Best Album Graphics nomination - Lookin' for Trouble by Toronto, with Michael Gray
1978: Best Album Graphics nomination - A Farewell to Kings by Rush

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20090810183301/http://www.meteor17.com/hugh_syme.php Hugh Syme biography]
[http://www.hughsyme.com/ Hugh Syme homepage]
[http://www.musicbuzzzpodcast.com/ Music Buzzz Podcast homepage]
[https://www.pacartists.com/hughsyme Hugh's Premier Artists Collection (PAC) profile]

Category:Canadian graphic designers

Category:Juno Award for Recording Package of the Year winners

Category:Living people

Category:Canadian album-cover and concert-poster artists

Category:Canadian poster artists

Category:Canadian rock keyboardists

Category:1953 births