Persist.

“Feeling creatively drained? Let this letter from Pixar inspire you.” —The Next Web

(two pages via TNW via Animator Letters Project)

As Steve Jobs officially resigns as Apple’s CEO, I’m less interested in reading about the succession plan for Apple and the percentage the company’s stock is dropping only hours after reading his letter.

To remember just how much innovation Steve Jobs contributed to the world of technology and design, the Wall Street Journal has pulled together images in their feature Personal Media Pioneer: Steve Jobs. Gizmodo highlights The Life of Steve Jobs—So Far with old photographs, ads, and a lengthly timeline. In 1986, “Jobs buys Pixar out of Lucasfilm’s computer graphics group for a discounted price of $10m—$5m of which will be used for operations—so that Lucas could finance his divorce without selling Star Wars stock.”

In the 1970s, Jobs also worked at Atari as a technician. PodTech has an interesting podcast with Atari’s co-founder about the experience of working with Steve Jobs.

(above photo c. early 1980s)

redesignrelated:

Pixar’s Monsters Inc. versus Monsters University

Pixar characters Mike Wazowski and Sulley will undergo slight anatomical tweaks for the upcoming Monsters Inc. prequel, Monsters University. The new film has a release date in 2013.

“…While instantly familiar, due to the original Monsters, Inc., it looks like Pixar is trying to do something very different and unique as well. John Lasseter described the film as an “animated college movie.” The film is a prequel showing us a time when Mike and Sulley were not quite the best of friends. They are both 18 years old and some slight alterations have been made to their appearance. Mike is a bit shorter and has a retainer, while Sulley is thinner…”—Pixar Times

(images via Slashfilm)

Pixar’s UP! Balloon House brought to life
(via My Modern Metropolis via National Geographic)

new postage stamps from USPS to be excited for in 2011: 

includes characters from Disney/Pixar animated films including Ratatouille, Toy Story, Up, Cars, and Wall-E.

(via SFist)

Pixar posts concept art from the canceled animated feature film “Newt” on their Facebook fan board.

“Toy Story 3 Easter Eggs” post gives explanations behind many of the character cameos in the new Disney/Pixar film, including Totoro and the Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone. (via Slash Film)

The highly anticipated Wired magazine iPad app finally launches.

“The irony that Wired, a magazine founded to chronicle the digital revolution, has traditionally come to you each month on the smooshed atoms of dead trees is not lost on us. Let’s just say the medium is not always the message…”
—letter from Chris Anderson

(click here for download link)

new poster for Pixar’s Toy Story 3
(via Internet Movie Poster Awards Gallery)

Pixar announces another new character for Toy Story 3:
Buttercup the “cuddly unicorn”

(via the Disney Pixar facebook fan page)

Pixar’s Toy Story 3 International Trailer