Innovation and Creativity in Pixar Animation

This assignment examines the concepts of innovation and creativity within the context of Pixar Animation Studios. It analyzes Pixar's methodologies, techniques, and philosophies that contribute to their groundbreaking animated films. The analysis covers various aspects, including shape preservation, physically based lighting, and the transfer of rigs with temporal coherence.

CREATIVITY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
STRATEGIC VALUES...................................................................................................................3
CULTURE.......................................................................................................................................4
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................................4
INNOVATION STRATEGY..........................................................................................................5
RISK TAKING................................................................................................................................6
RECOMMENDATION...................................................................................................................7
RESEARCH.....................................................................................................................................7
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
Innovation is considered as one of most critical aspect for every business firm because it
allows to have continuous improvement in the practice. It is referred as action or process that
helps in innovating key values so that overall operations can be accomplished. In order to have
better understanding about the innovation and its application the case study of Pixar will be
referred. By having an effective consideration of creative values within business the issues in
terms of long term sustainability can be overcome. Present study will provide an in depth
information about diverse cultural values which need to be referred by management in order to
meet the innovation standards.
STRATEGIC VALUES
Pixar is famous for producing impressive track record of his family movies. Classification of
famous projects of Pixar can be as Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and UP. It has been
noticed that company creative team has also won various awards in international events.
Company is well focused towards impressive hard work activities so that environmental values
can be advanced. Management also motivates its employees to accept challenges in terms of
generating new ideas (Anderson, Potočnik and Zhou, 2014). Pixar has also considered filed of
animation a critical aspect in development of software products.
Key motive of the business firm is to have application of various innovative standards so
that their employee’s creativity can be promoted within market more effectively. It has been
noticed that company is well focused towards effective application of four innovation
capabilities in order to accomplish key goals and objectives. Classification of four key principles
can be as strategy, ideas, process and climate. In addition to this, it has been witnessed that key
success is lies in creating an action oriented strategy (Appel-Meulenbroek and Nardelli, 2016). It
means by having effective consideration of vision the company can easily advance the
innovation and its results. It has been identified that innovation must be considered as initiative
which allows to focus on growth, results and profit. Along with this, Pixar experts also believe
that thinking in different manner is key success value. It is because the innovation provides
different opportunities to organisation as compared to other players in the market.
In addition to this, process is stage where experts create a streamlined and flexible
approach which assist in application of idea. It has been witnessed that good process is
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consistently have identification of projects that helps in attaining better efficiency. Moreover,
climate is all about building a thriving work environment so that innovative practice can be
promoted in desired manner. It helps in effective development of key norms and objectives so
that better practice can be employed.
CULTURE
It has been noticed that Pixar is a subsidiary firm of The Walt Disney Company. Company is
focused towards collective working so that innovation can be prompted more efficiently. In
addition to this, it can be said that Pixar is focused over development of teams in artistic and
technical areas so that better outcome can be attained. Equal work opportunities are being
provided to all members with a reference of respect and compensation. It is also one of key
reason that employee turnover within organisation is very low which boosts its work style
efficiency (Dubina, Carayannis and Campbell, 2012). There is no employment contract which
makes employee feel motivated and free to work in their own way. It also allows members to
share their ideas with supervisor so that goals and objectives can be accomplished.
In addition to this, it can be said that Pixar is considered as hand-off management style
adopter. Company also tries to set out ideas which can be a benchmark for the industry.
Discussion and meeting between teams like technical, creative and production is being
conducted on regular basis. It creates a positive work environment and allows to bring innovative
learning. It has been noticed that every team within organisation is focused towards input to
advance the process. Along with this, company is having a quick decision making process
through effective sharing of idea with different teams on common platform (Pang and Plucker,
2012). It allows to have identification of risk and ways that can resolve issue in an innovative
manner.
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
There are diverse stages which are being followed by Pixar in respect to new product
development. As company is mainly focused towards bringing innovation in animated movies to
increase the viewer’s base. Open ended approach is being used by the experts. In this, basically
three kinds of methods are being referred by the team such as creative input, innovative thinking
and concept honing. It means by having an effective development of idea the company focuses
on improving the input. In this, number of tactics has been used to ensure that work allocation is
according to skills or capabilities (Kalyar, 2011). Different set of skilled workforce is being
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framed in order to ensure that key goals and objectives. Along with this, it has been noticed that
open sharing of ideas is a key success factor which helps in ensure about the innovative thinking.
Employees have pitching of idea to development team so that they can understand the key
concept behind the story. It helps in make sure about the diverse operational practice on the basis
of which standards need to be set out by management. Along with this, the data sharing within
organisation is also effective which assist in improving the key values so that key outcome can
be attained (Mann and Chan, 2011). On the basis of evaluation from gathered information the
creative team focuses on methods through which issue can be resolved. In addition to this, it can
be said that by having an improvement in existing concept the company is having continuous
advancement in opportunities. It allows management to gain various benefits in terms of growth.
INNOVATION STRATEGY
According to detailed analysis, it can be said that innovation strategy is being effectively
employed by the experts so that goals and objectives can be accomplished. It has been noticed
that by having an effective consideration of innovation strategy the business firm Pixar has also
resolved its issues and lead business to impressive level of success. Pitching a story is an initial
stage where employees are allowed to present idea to the members so that unique potential
values can be well maintained. With an effective consideration of sketches and animated values
the working is being improved (Smith and Paquette, 2010). After this, writing a text treatment is
an aspect which helps in providing summary of the key idea. It provides a creative refined story
telling which assist in meeting objectives.
Along with this, drawing storyboards is all about creating a blue print of story so that
action and outline can be framed in order to meet objective. Recording of voice talent is also a
key step which is being referred by the experts in order to ensure that innovation strategies can
be employed properly. It also helps in effective sustainability so that better opportunities can be
created. In this, creative focus on the recording to initial scratch of voice which assist in
providing proper guidance to the further activities (Bettiol, Di Maria and Grandinetti, 2012). It
has been noticed that using an original voice allow to create a unique impact on the overall
creativity. Making editorial reels is all about videotapes of the storyboards, designed to let a
story stand on its own without the power of the pitch person who sold the concept.
After this, team focuses on the creating a look and feel according to recorded voice so
that overall presentation can be advanced in critical manner. In this, visual innovation and
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creativity concept is being employed the team so that objectives can be accomplished. Sculpting
and details models is also a step which enhances the creativity level. In this, characters, sets and
props are being designed with a help of 3D values. Each and every detailing is being referred
properly so that measures can be employed in desired manner. Dressing sets is also a step ion
which creative team work closely to ensure that vision becomes a reality. It means the animation
is being designed in such manner that objects must be looked real so that things must be
believable (Booker, 2010). In addition to this, it has been noticed that laying out and animating
shots is also a step in which creative team focuses on trying various versions through which
emotion can be added. It allows to have improved focus on the layers movement and facial
expression. Shading of characters and sets is also essential so that key measures can be employed
effectively. Shaders” add colour and texture on top of each character. Along with this, it has been
noticed that lighting the scenes is also a step in which innovation is being promoted by the team.
Afterword’s, the application of key norms in regard to compilation of overall data is being taken
into account. By having an effective and innovative reference of single digital file the key values
are being accomplished. Moreover, final touch standards are also being considered as desired
manner in order to ensure that overall application of innovation is being accomplished properly.
It has been noticed that collective working of various parties is being taken into account such as
writers, effect team, sound person and other experts (Tranter and Sharpe, 2012). It has allowed to
have effective development of key measures so that development can be taken into account.
RISK TAKING
It has been noticed that company has employed the nature of taking risk in order to
provide better support to the innovative practice. It creates a fundamental issues in regard to
leaders practice. It is necessary for leaders to have effective consideration of vision and clear
communication so that risk can be reduced. Stable leadership and proper management of
activities creates a new value and assist in leading business to success. One of the key risk that a
business entity faces is regarding time consumption in innovative practice. By having an
innovative practice the issues in terms of time management and resource allocation are being
faced. It also impacts the cost factor which influences the overall development of business firm
(Ackerman, 2011). Moreover, coordination among all the teams was also a critical risk and
conflict for the company. It is because if members are not having working in coordinated
manner then it will affect the animation practice. It might be possible that desired standards of
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animation may not be followed. It is significant for members to have practice in such manner
that issues are being resolved properly.
RECOMMENDATION
In order to deal with diverse situations, it is necessary for business firm to have effective
consideration of measures that can assist dealing with risk. In addition to this, it can be said that
leaders must have self motivation behaviour so that positive environment can be created. It is
necessary for members to have effective consideration of tactics which helps in balancing the
practice. Often the cultural norms and incentives are lined up to reinforce leadership behaviours
that provide clarity and stability, while the leadership behaviours that embrace risk are not
supported. Along with this, key norms in regard to animation practice must be shared with
members so that standards can be well maintained. Cultural values promotion allows to improve
the practice within Pixar. Create a streamlined and flexible approach to shepherd innovative
ideas to market. It will allow to have appropriate learning in regard to balanced working and
ensure that key measures are properly maintained. It will assist in developing standards of risk
mitigation practice.
RESEARCH
In addition to this, it has been noticed that Pixar is focused towards effective
development of innovation values so that key goals and objectives can be accomplished. In
addition to this, it has been witnessed that company ensure that members are looking forward to
have unique angels so that key measures can be taken into account. Along with this, it has been
noticed that Pixar has rich history of selecting an alternative perspectives so that goals and
objectives can be accomplished. Pixar also present itself as a unique thinking corporate firm who
provides number of facilities to the employees (Pixar, 2011). It is also one of key reason that the
office is decorated with the aquariums and arranged a diving trip to Hawaii. Unique graphics are
being designed in order to have sustainable opportunities so that key framework can be taken
into account. Along with this, it has been noticed that location and animation design concept is
also adopted in such manner that the innovation can be presented properly.
Along with this, company is also focused towards taking smart risk which can be deal in
appropriate manner through application of diverse measures. By having an effective application
of such measures the issues in terms of accepting challenges can be overcome. One of the risk
taken in past by company is in production and making of UP. Team was not sure that key
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outcome will be positive or not. However, in order to meet the need of viewers the experts has
designed unique locations which has attracted visual impact. It means with a help of innovation
the company is dealing with the risk factors (Hery, Villemin and Studios, 2013).
REFLECTION
From the above case study evaluation, it has been identified by me that innovation is a
practice which improves the work standards and allows business to attain diverse benefits. It has
been noticed by me that innovation allows to think unique and ensure that key aspects are
properly maintained. It has also been witnessed by me that equal work opportunities are being
provided to all members with a reference of respect and compensation. It means the promotion of
equal opportunities to the experts helps in accomplishing measures so that key goals and
objectives can be meet. With an assistance of this, environmental and cultural values are also
being promoted effectively. It will assist in meeting sustainable development.
Along with this, I have noticed that members have considered risk as a critical part of
their practice because it assists in ensure that innovation standards can be well maintained.
According to experts the innovation is a practice which cover various complex structuring so the
risk level can also be advanced due to such practice. Moreover, there are number of practice
measures which can be employed in order to manage innovation. Collective working and
appropriate communication among members is a practice which assist in effective development
of standards. By having an appropriate learning in regard to cultural norms and incentives the
issues are being controlled. I have also noticed that four key principles can provide opportunities
to business. Classification can be as strategy, ideas, process and climate. Employees also believe
that thinking in different manner is key success value. It is because the innovation provides
different opportunities to organisation as compared to other players in the market.
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REFERENCES
Ackerman, A.L., 2011. Seeing things: from Shakespeare to Pixar. University of Toronto Press.
Anderson, N., Potočnik, K. and Zhou, J., 2014. Innovation and creativity in organizations: A
state-of-the-science review, prospective commentary, and guiding framework. Journal of
Management. 40(5). pp.1297-1333.
Appel-Meulenbroek, H.A.J.A. and Nardelli, G., 2016. Innovation and creativity.
Baraff, D. and Waggoner, C., Pixar, 2011. Methods and apparatus for auto-scaling properties of
simulated objects. U.S. Patent. 7. pp. 864,180.
Baraff, D., Pixar, 2011. Shape friction: shape preservation of simulated objects in computer
animation. U.S. Patent. 7. pp. 864,181.
Bettiol, M., Di Maria, E. and Grandinetti, R., 2012. Creativity versus standardization in
knowledge-intensive business services: a real trade-off?. In Exploring Knowledge-
Intensive Business Services. Palgrave Macmillan UK.
Booker, M.K., 2010. Disney, Pixar, and the hidden messages of children's films. ABC-CLIO.
Dubina, I.N., Carayannis, E.G. and Campbell, D.F., 2012. Creativity economy and a crisis of the
economy? Coevolution of knowledge, innovation, and creativity, and of the knowledge
economy and knowledge society. Journal of the Knowledge Economy. 3(1). pp.1-24.
Green, B., Pixar, 2014. Transfer of rigs with temporal coherence. U.S. Patent 8. pp. 643,654.
Hery, C., Villemin, R. and Studios, P.A., 2013. Physically based lighting at pixar. Physically
Based Shading’ Course.
Kalyar, M.N., 2011. Creativity, self-leadership and individual innovation. The journal of
commerce. 3(3). pp.20.
Mann, L. and Chan, J. eds., 2011. Creativity and innovation in business and beyond: Social
science perspectives and policy implications. Routledge.
Pang, W. and Plucker, J.A., 2012. Recent transformations in China's economic, social, and
education policies for promoting innovation and creativity. The Journal of Creative
Behavior 46(4). pp.247-273.
Petrovic, L. and Anderson, J., Pixar, 2011. Multiple personality articulation for animated
characters. U.S. Patent. pp. 253.
Smith, S. and Paquette, S., 2010. Creativity, chaos and knowledge management. Business
Information Review. 27(2). pp.118-123.
Tranter, P. and Sharpe, S., 2012. Disney-Pixar to the rescue: harnessing positive affect for
enhancing children’s active mobility. Journal of transport geography. 20(1). pp.34-40.
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