Pixar Co-Founder Ed Catmull: Embrace Uncertainty, Act Now
At the recent INMerge Innovation Summit in Baku, Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, shared insights into the company's groundbreaking journey. He emphasised the importance of embracing uncertainty and acting now, even in the face of technological challenges.
Catmull's path began with a passion for art and a fascination with the potential of computers. He recalled his mentors, Alan Kay and Ivan Sutherland, who encouraged him to design for the future, even without the necessary hardware.
In the 1980s, Pixar's first film required 100 supercomputers, each costing $10 million. This immense technological demand was a testament to the era's limitations. However, Catmull calculated that the technology would become practical within 14 to 15 years, a prediction that proved accurate with the release of 'Toy Story' in 1995.
Pixar's growth was organic, starting with a single artist and expanding through collaboration. This approach fostered innovation and led to the studio's success. Catmull's message at INMerge was to embrace this model, learning fast and starting now, despite the uncertainty that comes with technological pursuits.
Ed Catmull's story at INMerge highlighted Pixar's journey from a single artist to a global animation powerhouse. His advice to start now, learn fast, and embrace uncertainty resonated with attendees, encouraging them to pursue technological advancements despite the challenges.
