The Marketing Minute: Marketing With Layers
The Right Approach: Electro-Tek—A Williams Family Legacy, Part 1
It’s Only Common Sense: If You’re Not Differentiated, You’re Dead
Star Wars and Disney: ‘Spinning the Script’ With Paul Bailey
May 13, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Paul Bailey has quite a story to tell. The current vice president at AOA, and former principal concept technical director for Walt Disney Imagineering gave the opening keynote speech at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. He delved into some of the technological marvels he’s been involved with throughout his career, particularly with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the new Star Wars experience at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Paul also urged the leaders in the audience to change the way they lead and focus more on each employee’s well-being. After his keynote speech, Paul stopped by the I-Connect007 studio for a quick interview, where he shared his thoughts on technology and leadership.
Dylan Nguyen: Paul, I’ve been reading about your background How did you balance your two identities as artist and engineer early on?
Paul Bailey: I never saw art and engineering as different identities, frankly. I didn't really know what engineering was; I just grew up in an environment where it happened. I thought, “Well, people make things, and they tinker, and they do stuff.” It wasn't until much later that it clicked in my head that this was actually a calling or profession. I think part of life is about recognizing patterns. A lot of the things that you do as a mechanical engineer involve creating shapes that solve problems, which to me is analogous to sculpting. You might be using SolidWorks to do it, but it's still sculpture. So, in my mind there really isn't that big of a difference between art and engineering.
Nguyen: You were a sculptor for Walt Disney Imagineering early in your career. Walk us through your career, and how your journey unfolded.
Bailey: I guess I really started out as a frontline artist; I was an illustrator and a sculptor. When I was an apprentice working on Star Trek, I was drawing pictures of aliens and then sculpting the aliens. That was my full-time gig. I was primarily known in the movie industry as a sculptor, though not as much as a makeup artist. Through the Disney years, I found my way into more creative technology. I have a technology gene, if you will. I got away from doing the frontline art over my time there. But over the past 10 years, I’ve swung back in that direction. Now I think of it as mixed media. Sometimes I'm drawing with a pencil, and sometimes I'm drawing with a mouse. Sometimes I'm sculpting an object, and sometimes I'm building an electronic something or other that moves and works and whatnot. It's all very fluid to me. I don't distinguish between those pieces.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the 2024 issue of Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Dutch Government Takes Control of China-Owned Chipmaker Nexperia, Citing Security Concerns
10/14/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe Dutch government has taken control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, escalating tensions with Beijing amid intensifying global disputes over semiconductor technology and intellectual property.
SEMICON West: The Path to a $1 Trillion Future
10/14/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007After more than 50 years in San Francisco, SEMICON West moved its 2025 show to Phoenix, which is significant because it highlights the importance of Arizona as a semiconductor and tech hub. Though the show will be back in San Francisco in 2026, the overwhelmingly warm welcome SEMI received from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and ASU President Michael Crowe—who has been responsible for ASU repeatedly achieving the U.S. News and World Reports most innovative university ranking—was remarked upon repeatedly. All indications are that SEMICON West may well be back in Phoenix after that 2026 season.
The Right Approach: Electro-Tek—A Williams Family Legacy, Part 1
10/15/2025 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachThere is no bronze bust in the lobby or portrait in the conference room of Electro-Tek's founder—my Dad, Charles “Chuck” Williams—so with the facility closing last year after 56 years, I feel it is time to tell the story. Chuck Williams founded Electro-Tek in 1968 in our basement, eventually moving into the second floor of an old 1913 building in downtown Milwaukee that is still standing (the first of three eventual facilities).
ICT Symposium Review: Sustainability and the Circular Economy
10/09/2025 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007It was pleasant autumnal weather as we made our way once again to Meriden, the nominal centre of England, for the 2025 Annual Symposium of the Institute of Circuit Technology. Delegates were welcomed by technical director Emma Hudson who introduced and moderated a skilfully coordinated programme, focused on the highly relevant theme of sustainability.
Taiwan Rejects U.S. Proposal for 50-50 Semiconductor Production Split
10/03/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamTaiwan stated on October 1 that it will not agree to a U.S. proposal to shift half of its semiconductor production to the United States, despite mounting pressure from Washington over tariffs and chip supply security, according to Reuters.