Version User Scope of changes
May 30 2009, 3:19 PM EDT PaPaLuigi 110 words added, 10 words deleted
May 15 2009, 4:51 PM EDT logofan95 16 words added

Changes

Key:  Additions   Deletions
Logo descriptions by Matt Williams, Matt Anscher and LogoZExtreame102
Logo captures by VofDoomV of Doom
Editions by VofDoom,V of Doom and Nathan B.Video capture courtesy of ConsoleZ

Background: Pixar Animation Studios was originally formed in 1986 to produce CGI animated shorts, but it didn't produce animated movies until 1995 with Toy Story, a joint production of Pixar and Walt Disney Feature Animation. Currently, it is owned by the Walt Disney Company.

1st Logo
(1986-1995)
Pixar Animation Studios (1986)
Logo: TBA

FX/SFX: TBA

Music/Sounds: TBA

Availability: TBA

Scare Factor: TBA

2nd Logo
(1995- )(1995-)
Pixar Animation Studios Pixar Lamp" (1980s-)

Nicknames: "Luxo Jr.", "Pixar Lamp"

Logo: We see the text:
P I X A R

Then a lamp hops by. He stops once he notices the "I". He shakes his body and bounces on the "I" until it squishes it. The lamp looks around as the text "ANIMATION STUDIOS" fades in. He then faces the camera. The light slowly dims until it's completely dark. The lamp is still on though, but he turns off, making the screen completely dark.

Variants:
  • On Cars, Pixar celebrated its 20th Anniversary, where it has "CELEBRATING 2 (0 of the lamp) YEARS" when it is dark. Another one is where the logo fades out after the lamp replaces the "I".
  • A still version without Luxo Jr. on a white background exists on Buzz Lightyear of Star Command.
  • On the trailer and ending Pixar logo for WALL-E, the logo plays as normal, until Luxo Jr.'s light shorts out. He frantically looks around until Wall-E rolls in from the right of the screen, replaces his light bulb, and pats him on the head. He hastily rolls away, knocking over the "R" in Pixar. He whistles, and situates himself to look like an "R". Luxo then looks at the camera. This is followed by the Buy N Large logo (for those unfamiliar, Buy N Large was the megacorporation that ran much of the world that WALL-E took place in).
  • There is a short version which starts with the completed logo and only includes Luxo Jr. looking at us. It usually appears in front of shorts and trailers.
  • Starting with WALL-E, the logo was given an enhanced look, and added the same animation.
Trivia: The lamp is from Pixar's very first animated short, Luxo Jr., made in 1986.

FX/SFX: Very nice CGI!

Music/Sounds: In order: the metallic sound of the lamp hopping, a "jingle" when the lamp shakes its body, squeaky rubber-like sounds when it jumps on the I, and some other sounds as it looks around. Sometimes the movie's opening theme will play instead.

Availability: Seen on all Pixar movies and shorts.shorts, exept for 3-D ones. The logo's first appearance was likely not in front of Luxo Jr., and it was most likely affixed to the film when it became widely circulated (the same may go for its other pre-Toy Story efforts, though this is purely speculative).

Scare Factor: None; this is one of the most popular logos in existance, and is cherished by many. The variants are fun to watch as well.


3rd Logo (3-D Alternative):
(2009-)

Logo: We start with a black screen. The camera pans to the right as we see the previous Pixar logo animation as usual. Instead of "ANIMATION STUDIOS" fading in, it fades in, then zooms in until it stops under the Pixar logo. The rest of the logo plays as normal. This whole logo is in 3-D.

FX/SFX: Very nice 3-D CGI going around here!

Music/Sounds: Same as the previous logo.

Availability: Seen on all Pixar 3-D releases starting with Up.

Scare Factor: Same as the previous logo.