Gallery: How One Pixar Animator Manufactures His Own Toys
0112-trickster-fox-final-jeff-pidgeon-pixar-wired-design
*The question now is what Pidgeon will do for his third effort.*
0211-happy-beaver-trickster-design-specs-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*In order to get a satisfactory product from the factory, all the details must be listed clearly.*
0310-happy-beaver-pre-production-sculpture-waxed-up-for-molding-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*The CAD data is turned into 3-D parts and are used as masters in the molding process.*
0409-happy-beaver-trickster-fox-model-breakdown-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*The increased complexity of the fox meant multiple molds needed to be created based on the CAD data.*
0508-happy-beaver-trickster-fox-3d-model-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*The project started similarly with sketches, but quickly evolved into 3-D models.*
0607-trickster-fox-jeff-pidgeon-pixar-wired-design
*Pidgeon followed up his first toy with the "Tr!ckster Fox" -- a mascot for an annual art and culture convention.*
0706-happy-beaver-jeff-pidgeon-alt-color-way-wired-design
*From start to finish a project like this takes about a year.*
0805-happy-beaver-sculpture-color-matching-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*Communicating with factories can be a challenge, so it is imperative to specify everything using a standard like the pantone color matching system.*
0904-happy-beaver-sculpture-3d-print-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*One of the key benefits of 3-D printing is rapid prototyping. Pidgeon was able to evaluate models at different scales.*
1003-happy-beaver-cad-model-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*Going from 2-D to 3-D can be challenging. Pidgeon started with clay, but eventually modeled the character in 3-D.*
1102-happy-beaver-jeff-pidgeon-wired-designtoy-making
*The toy started out as a sketch in Jeff Pidgeon's notebook.*
1201-happy-beaver-jeff-pidgeon-wired-design
*The "Happy Beaver" is a vinyl toy designed by Jeff Pidgeon – a story artist at Pixar who worked on the* Toy Story *series*.
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Kids' Bikes for Every Age and Size
The WIRED Reviews team has kids, and we tested all types of kids’ bikes. Here are our top picks.
Adrienne So
The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
A great gamepad instantly levels up your play. These are our top picks for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Brad Bourque
The 11 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride
I tested the best electric bikes in every category, from commuters and mountain bikes to foldables and cruisers.
Adrienne So
The Best Podcasts for Everyone
Get your fix of tech, true crime, pop culture, or comedy with these audio adventures.
Simon Hill
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
We break down the current iPad lineup to help you figure out which of Apple’s tablets is best for you.
Luke Larsen
The Best Portable Chargers for All Your Devices
Keep your phone, laptop, handheld gaming console, and other electronics running with these travel-friendly power banks.
Simon Hill