Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull Summary
Inside Pixar's creative engine: Ed Catmull reveals how candor, failure, and "Notes Day" transformed animation forever. Endorsed by The New York Times as "the latest bible for show business," discover why Richard Branson recommends this guide to sustainable innovation alongside his own works.
About the author
Edwin Earl Catmull is the co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and author of the leadership classic *Creativity, Inc.*, a groundbreaking exploration of fostering innovation and building sustainable creative cultures. As a pioneer in computer graphics and animation, Catmull’s work at Pixar—where he served as president for over 30 years—revolutionized filmmaking through iconic films like *Toy Story*, *Finding Nemo*, and *The Incredibles*. His book blends management philosophy with behind-the-scenes storytelling, drawing on his dual expertise in technology and creative leadership. A five-time Academy Award winner and 2019 ACM Turing Award recipient, Catmull’s insights are rooted in his unique career spanning Lucasfilm, Disney, and academia. *Creativity, Inc.* became a *New York Times* bestseller and has been translated into over 40 languages, cementing its status as an essential read for leaders in tech, entertainment, and beyond.
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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