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Walt Disney

Young Walt loved to draw, and by age seven was selling drawings to his neighbors!

Permission to Dream Really Big

Can you imagine a world without Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Disney World? The term "Mickey Mouse" is even a regular part of English vocabulary. The thinker behind the famous characters and business empire was Walt Disney, a cartoon artist.

When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage. pixel.gif Disney gave himself permission to dream big - to create imaginary characters and think up theme parks that were beyond anyone else's. Today, Walt Disney's thinking has huge influence in the world. Mickey Mouse is everywhere. Every child dreams of going to Disneyland. He wasn't the only cartoonist or theme park owner, he simply allowed his thoughts to be huge, and didn't let anyone stand in his way.

Walt Disney's path to becoming a Great Thinker:

• Disney was a farm boy from Missouri. Proof that you can take the boy off the farm!
• Young Walt loved to draw, and by age seven was selling drawings to his neighbors-an indication that someone is a natural entrepreneur.
• Disney attended high school in Chicago, where he paid special attention to drawing classes, and took additional night courses at the Academy of Fine Arts-extending his basic education.
• Walt left school at age 16. Wasn't allowed to join the army, joined Red Cross instead, where in France he painted his ambulance with cartoon characters (great thinkers don't always conform!).
• Disney was the victim of bad business deals in the early days. Despite setbacks, he kept his focus on his talents and ideas.
• Partnered with his brother, Roy, who was better at business. Together they created a company to produce animated films. Great thinkers know when to ask for help.
• Invested $17 million to build Disneyland, changing the nature of amusement parks forever. That investment has paid off many times over.
• Disney allowed his imagination permission to go far beyond his obvious talent as an artist. He also had ideas about how to build better communities, and spearheaded the concept with EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

Learn more!
Develop your creativity with these courses and programs: online art courses; digital photography courses; degrees in game design & development; and online degree programs in art & design.