R.I.P. Aliens Designer H.R. Giger

Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger, best known for designing the titular monsters in James Cameron's Alien franchise, has died. The Associated Press reports that the 74-year-old succumbed to injuries suffered in a fall, according to a statement from his museum.

Giger also worked in commercial art outside of film, including designing the striking cover for Brain Salad Surgery, a 1973 album by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Along with his design for Debbie Harry's solo album, "Koo Koo" (1981), it appeared Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 album covers of all time.

Giger embraced the commercial and popular significance of his art; he wasn't often displayed in traditional museums, with much of the art community rejecting his work. Pop culture museums, conventions and specialty retailers like alien-themed bars were some of his most regular places to exhibit, according to the AP, along with of course the Giger Museum.