7 Books to Get You Out of a Creative Rut
As designers, we think we already have our hands full. Deadlines breathing down our necks. The perpetual changes and updates that we’re asked to make. But it’s just as necessary to take some time out to focus on what actually fuels our creative juices.
Hint: it’s definitely not those deadlines.
The books listed here can be seen as thought triggers. Sure, you may find some interesting, you may find some boring, and some as dated. Whatever your opinion may be, these books are bound to get your thought process up and running. Here goes!
The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry
Author Todd Henry sourced material from his popular podcast where he provides tips that help sharpen your creative acumen. Those in the creative field often find themselves racing against time to provide ideas that would dazzle clients/ stakeholders. While we often experience bursts of creative brilliance from time to time — that’s what makes us so good at our jobs — but there are also times when we go through a creative drought. This book is meant for those times. Not saying that it makes everyone an ideation machine, but it does provide interesting insights into powering your creative thinking.
“Mr. Henry’s prescription for maximizing productivity is sagacious, innovative, and sublimely practical. The Accidental Creative is high-octane fuel for creative productivity.”
— Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
If you’re working in the creative field, there are high chances that you would have been afflicted by the common ailment called procrastination. Admit it — creativity and discipline never coexist peacefully in the same personality. Choreographer Twyla Tharp shares her secrets for developing and honing your creative talents through practical exercises. These are fun to do and stimulating and are perfect to get you going, creatively.
“An entertaining ‘how to’ guide, The Creative Habit isn’t about getting the lightning bolt of inspiration, but rather the artistic necessity of old-fashioned virtues such as discipline, preparation, and routine.”
— Cathleen McGuigan, Newsweek
Hidden in Plain Sight by Jan Chipchase and Simon Steinhardt
As designers, it is our primary job to get inside the minds of our users and gain a holistic understanding of their behavior. In this book, authors Jan Chipchase and Simon Steinhardt, with their extensive studies of human behavior, bring you interesting insights into how the consumer’s mind actually works. Read it to boost your curiosity.
For nonlinear thinkers or those who embrace the ambiguity inherent in design research, Chipchase’s work will provide a lively, thought-provoking, and often humorous read.
— Publishers Weekly
Change by Design by Tim Brown
This one from Ideo’s Tim Brown is based on — no surprises here — Design Thinking. While experienced designers may not find it too insightful, it is a good read for those starting out in the field of design. The book is universal in its appeal, since Design Thinking as a concept is applicable across professions and industries,
“This should be mandatory reading for marketers and engineers who can’t understand why a product as cool as the Segway wasn’t a breakout hit.”
— Inc. Magazine
The Language of Things by Deyan Sudjic
What is it that persuades us to camp outside Apple stores to be the first to buy an iPhone? Why do the clicks of some car doors sound “expensive”? An utterly fascinating read, this book delves into the rather-elusive ‘desirability’ of products and offers thought-provoking perceptions as to why some things just click.
Sudjic’s book is witty, well-observed and wide-ranging.
— Fiona MacCarthy, The Guardian
Designing for Emotion by Aarron Walter
Authored by MailChimp’s UX Design Lead, Aaron Walter, this book helps curate simple strategies and methods to help you nail the concept of relatable design. Getting in touch with the emotions of users is something that MailChimp has excelled at, and this book tells you all you need to know about it.
“Feeling depressed and lonely, career-wise, design-wise? Do you feel constrained to produce dull, dreary designs? Do your pleas for excitement and emotional content fall on deaf ears? My prescription: 15-minute sessions reading Aarron Walter’s book ‘Designing for Emotion,’ three times a day. Continue until the symptoms disappear. If the symptoms persist, do not despair: reread the book.”
— Donald Norman
The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda
Simplicity, minimalism, clean designs — these are concepts often used in design parlance these days. This book by John Maeda is a wonderful read about doing exactly what it says on the cover — following the laws of simplicity in our everyday designs. A definite must-read.
FINALLY, a book about simplicity that is not too academic to read… At the book’s heart is the Shinto belief in animism, the spirit in all objects. Nicholas Negroponte, one of Maeda’s mentors, once told him to become a lightbulb, not a laser beam. This he has done; all this and more.
— Susan Salter Reynolds, The LA Times
Triggered? I do hope so. Share your thoughts on these books in case you’ve read them, or feel free to drop in a comment about any suggestions you’d love to share.
