Alien: Earth’s beefy tablets were inspired by Sony’s classic Watchman

image via The Verge

September 23, 2025, 6:55 PM

• •Nicholson researched vintage design to create a unique look for Prodigy's tech, inspired by automotive design and early digital dashboards.
• •The design of the tablets was inspired by the Sony Watchman, giving them a retro feel and distinct design language.
• •The design of the tablets helped differentiate between the products Prodigy and Weyland-Yutani make.

Production designer Andy Nicholson drew inspiration from the past to create the futuristic tech for the 'Alien: Earth' series, aiming to make the world feel real. He looked back to the original 'Alien' film's design, while also imagining the future as it might have been envisioned in the late '70s. This approach led to the incorporation of vintage design elements, like Sony Watchman portable TVs, into the series' technology, particularly the chunky tablets used by the characters. This design choice allowed for differentiation between the tech companies, Prodigy and Weyland-Yutani, adding visual texture to the series.

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