Hans Ruedi Giger, better known as H.R. Giger (February 5, 1940 – May 12, 2014), was a Swiss artist, painter, sculptor, and set designer. He gained international recognition for his distinctive airbrushed and biomechanical art, which often featured dark, surreal, and haunting imagery. Giger's style is often described as "biomechanical," as his work combines elements of both organic and mechanical forms, creating a unique blend that has influenced numerous artists and designers. Giger's most famous work is the design of the Xenomorph creature for the 1979 science fiction horror film "Alien," directed by Ridley Scott. His work on "Alien" earned him an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The Xenomorph design became iconic, and Giger's influence is evident in the subsequent films of the Alien franchise, as well as other media. In addition to his work on the Alien franchise, Giger also contributed to other films, including "Species," "Poltergeist II: The Other Side," and "Prometheus." He also designed album covers for musicians such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and the Dead Kennedys. Giger's art has been exhibited worldwide, and his work is preserved in his own museum, the H.R. Giger Museum, located in Gruyères, Switzerland. The museum houses the largest collection of Giger's work and showcases his range as an artist, from his early days as a painter to his later work in sculpture and set design.