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Inside Look at Pixar HQ

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the my-chair-has-spikes-in-the-seat dept.

LittleGuernica writes "Aintitcool's moriarty has taken a tour of Pixar's Headquarters in Emeryville, California and it just looks astounding. It instantly makes you wanna work there, or at least pimp up your cubicle... Which they don't have at Pixar, no they have cottages! Looks like Pixar created the optimal work condition for such a creative company, which leaves you no choice but to enjoy your job at Pixar every damn minute you work there."

3 of 308 comments (clear)

  1. One bathroom in the whole building by xylix · · Score: 5, Interesting
    As the article mentioned, when the building was being constructed Steve Jobs wanted to have one bathroom (I assume one for each sex) in the entire building. I used to teach business in a college and used to have an article about Pixar that I got my students to read that mentioned this fact. I would then try to get them to decide why Jobs wanted this. (The linked article doesn't give an explanation.) Apparently, his thinking was that it would facilitate communication and creativity. If everyone had to walk THROUGH everyone else's space and all gather in the same place there would be more interaction and cross-pollination of ideas. (I included this reading in a unit on "synergy" in business!)

    From what I understand Jobs didn't get his single washroom for the whole building. But I *think* I heard that there is one washroom PER FLOOR instead for the same reason.

  2. They've come a LONG way by sgant · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I remember years ago going to SIGGRAPH and Pixar had this little booth off in the back. Ed Catmull was there manning the cash-box to where you could buy a videotape of their few animated shorts they had made up to that point.

    Ed freaking Catmull was taking my bucks and sticking a videotape into a bag for me. I know, geek worship here, but this is Ed Catmull we're talking about.

    Now look at Pixar!

    --

    "Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
  3. While I'm sure Pixar is a nice place to work... by Bamafan77 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    ...I can't help but think some of the stuff they do for their employees is part media sensation. So while I think Pixar would treat their employees very well regardless, I think they go the extra mile because they know the media and their camera crews will be there (in this specific case, moriarty and his digital camera) and they know they'll (along with the public) flip out when they see the atrium with the statues of Pixar characters.

    And while we're on the Steve Jobs praise, don't be so quick to commend him on developing the great environment at Pixar. The truth is (as you'll see in the link) that Jobs bought the Pixar in 1995, sold it to become a billionaire and left the original technical founders with almost squat (in fact, he ran off co-founder Alvy Ray Smith). Yeah, this is a guy only concerned about the employees.

    The fact is that Pixar had a family atmosphere before Jobs got there and Jobs in fact tried to destroy it. Jobs was the PHB that many so readily (and rightfully) deride, yet for some reason his reality distortion field is such that it allows him to escape much criticism and be hailed as a genius. He may be a genius, but probably not the kind you want to be around if you don't have to be.