Inner workings: Pixar reveals its design process at the Cooper Hewitt
Few film studios have mastered the art of storytelling quite like Pixar has. From the mod-tinged world of The Incredibles to the imaginative portrait of the human psyche in its most recent effort Inside Out, the iconic animation studio has won over adults and children alike with its clever and evocative approach.
Pixar’s inner workings are now the subject of an interactive retrospective just opened at the Cooper Hewitt in New York. Staged within the museum’s innovative Process Lab, a room that once house Andrew Carnegie's office, the show features original artwork, rarely seen sketches and storyboards, paintings and even sculptures from its catalogue of recognizable films.
'At Pixar, the visual design process and the story development process work hand in hand from the very earliest stages,' said John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios. To wit, the exhibition has been built around the studio’s three key principles: story, believability and appeal. Amongst the material on display are architectural research made during the design of the focal house in Up, models for the cowboy doll Woody in Toy Story and detailed drawings showcasing how the robots in Wall-E became utterly believable.
The Process Lab’s interactive touchscreen table also enables visitors to delve deeper into the 450 pieces of Pixar artwork made available, while learning more about related objects at the museum as well. With a screening of Pixar’s first short film, Luxo Jr (1986), a series of interactive workshops lead by Pixar staff and a conversation with Lasseter being held on 12 November also on offer, visitors might just to decode the secrets of the studio’s success.
INFORMATION
‘Pixar: The Design of Story’ runs from 8th October to 7th August 2016
ADDRESS
2 East 91st Street
New York, NY
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.
-
The best design-led cocktail shakers
If you like your drinks shaken not stirred, these are the best cocktail shakers to take your mixology skills to the next level
By Rosie Conroy Published
-
Tech Editor, Jonathan Bell, selects six new and notable Bluetooth speaker designs, big, small and illuminating
These six wireless speakers signal new creative partnerships and innovative tech approaches in a variety of scales and styles
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
As London’s V&A spotlights Mughal-era design, Santi Jewels tells of its enduring relevance
‘The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence’ is about to open at London’s V&A. Here, Mughal jewellery expert and Santi Jewels founder Krishna Choudhary tells us of the influence the dynasty holds today
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York
‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Italian craftsmanship comes to Los Angeles in this eclectic Venice Canals apartment
Boffi Los Angeles celebrates a juxtaposition of texture throughout a waterside bolthole
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Design Miami/Basel 2022 explores the Golden Age
Design Miami/Basel 2022, led by curatorial director Maria Cristina Didero, offers a positive spin after the unprecedented times of the pandemic, and looks at the history and spirit of design
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Kvadrat’s flagship New York showrooms encompass colourful design codes
Industrial designer Jonathan Olivares and architect Vincent Van Duysen have worked with Danish textile brand Kvadrat on the vast new space, also featuring furniture by Moroso
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
What to see at New York Design Week 2022
Discover Wallpaper’s highlights from New York Design Week 2022 (10 – 20 May 2022): the fairs, exhibitions and design openings to discover
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Colour defines LA ceramics studio and showroom of Bari Ziperstein
Step inside the multifunctional ceramics studio, office and showroom of designer and artist Bari Ziperstein, designed by local firm Foss Hildreth
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Design for Ukraine: Bocci and Design Miami join forces to raise funds
The online sale of iconic Bocci pieces will benefit GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, providing urgently needed humanitarian aid
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Designer Marcin Rusak rallies international creatives to raise funds for Ukraine
Raising funds for Poland’s Fundacja Ocalenie, Warsaw-based designer Marcin Rusak is making the most of Instagram’s immediacy, auctioning original pieces donated by international designers
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated