David Yu
About David Yu
Title: Vice President, Software Research & Development at Pixar
David Ryu is the Vice President of Software Research & Development at Pixar Animation Studios. He assumed this role in 2021 after being promoted from his previous position as Vice President of Tools. In this capacity, Ryu is responsible for overseeing the development and optimization of Pixar's graphics and animation software. His work includes managing the studio's proprietary animation system, Presto, which plays a critical role in the production pipeline for Pixar's feature films.
Education and Expertise: Harvard University Graduate
David Ryu attended Harvard University, graduating in 2001. His education provided him with a strong foundation in software engineering, which he has applied throughout his career at Pixar. Ryu's tenure at Harvard equipped him with skills that have been integral to his successful career in software research and development within the animation industry.
Background: Early Career in Tech and Influence by 'Star Wars'
David Ryu was raised in Tustin, California, where he developed an early interest in technology and animation, influenced significantly by the 'Star Wars' films. During his academic journey, he interned at Electronic Arts and Microsoft, gaining experience in software development. His early work included contributions to Microsoft Word and the Tiger Woods golf video games before he transitioned to Pixar Animation Studios shortly after completing his degree.
Career Timeline at Pixar Animation Studios
David Ryu joined Pixar Animation Studios in 2001 as a graphics software engineer in the tools department. Over the years, he has had a diverse career at Pixar, working on key projects in various roles. His early contributions include working as a character shading artist on 'Finding Nemo' and serving as a crowds technical director and on global technology for 'Ratatouille' and 'WALL-E'. He also contributed to 'Up' and was shots sequence lead on 'Toy Story 3'. Ryu was the global technology supervisor on 'Monsters University' and supervised the transition to a fully path-traced rendering environment on 'Finding Dory'. As a supervising technical director, he played a pivotal role in the production of 'Coco' and later served as the visual effects supervisor for 'Luca'.
Residency and Personal Life
David Ryu currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family. Despite his demanding career, he balances his professional and personal life, remaining an influential figure in the animation industry while maintaining his roots in the local community.