Creativity, Inc.
A 2014 book on managing creativity by Pixar co-founder Edwin Catmull.
Edwin Catmull, a co-founder of Pixar, and Amy Wallace wrote *Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration* in 2014. The book explores how to handle creativity within a business, based on Catmull’s work at Pixar and Lucasfilm.
Catmull grew up idolizing Walt Disney and later moved to Utah as a child. Although he was interested in animation, he studied math, physics, and computer science in college, eventually earning a PhD at the University of Utah under Ivan Sutherland, known as the “father of computer graphics.” Long before computer animation existed, Catmull started developing the programming for 2D and 3D computer graphics. He was then recruited to Lucasfilm, where he became vice president of the computer graphics division at Industrial Light and Magic. In 1986, Steve Jobs bought that division and co-founded Pixar Animation Studios with Catmull and John Lasseter. Catmull later became Pixar’s Chief Technical Officer.
The book received positive reviews from *The New York Times*, which called it “quickly becoming the latest bible for the show business crowd,” as well as from *The Wall Street Journal*, *Publishers Weekly*, and the *Financial Times*.
Quick Facts
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Genre
- Business, economics
- Publisher
- Transworld Publishers Limited
- Isbn
- 978-0552167260
- Authors
- Edwin Catmull and Amy Wallace
- Pub Date
- 2014-04-08
- Media Type
- Pages
- 320
- Homepage
- www.creativityincbook.com
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Edwin Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, wrote Creativity, Inc. with Amy Wallace. The book describes Catmull's childhood idolization of Walt Disney and his upbringing in Utah. Despite his interest in animation, Catmull pursued studies in math, physics, and computer science, earning a graduate degree under Ivan Sutherland, the 'father of computer graphics,' at the University of Utah. Before computer animation existed, he developed programming for 2D and 3D computer graphics. He was recruited to Lucasfilm, becoming vice president of Industrial Light and Magic's computer graphics division. In 1986, Steve Jobs bought that division and co-founded Pixar Animation Studios with Catmull and John Lasseter, where Catmull became Chief Technical Officer.
Reader's Guide
Creativity, Inc. has been noted for its insights into fostering creativity within a corporate structure, drawing from Catmull's leadership at Pixar. The New York Times described the book as 'quickly becoming the latest bible for the show business crowd.' It also received positive reviews from The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Financial Times. The book's significance lies in its practical approach to overcoming obstacles to inspiration, based on decades of experience in computer animation and technology management. Catmull's background—from a childhood inspired by Walt Disney to pioneering computer graphics at the University of Utah and Lucasfilm—provides a foundation for the principles he outlines. The book remains a reference for those interested in balancing creative vision with organizational discipline.
Did You Know?
- Edwin Catmull co-founded Pixar with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter in 1986.
- Before computer animation existed, Catmull developed programming for 2D and 3D computer graphics.
- The New York Times called Creativity, Inc. 'the latest bible for the show business crowd.'
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