RESOURCES
There's a limit to how much you can learn from watching a YouTube video on the creative process. Here are some books that delve into the nature of creativity across different mediums, exploring the inherent tension between art, audience, and money. Some of these resources focus more on design, so pick and choose what resonates with you. Free PDF versions are available online, but if you prefer, I've included Amazon links to purchase the books.
One of my favorite books demystifies the concepts of being "original" or "creative." It illustrates how anyone can nurture their creativity with intentional effort. The key takeaway is that nothing is truly original; instead, you develop your taste by sampling from those you admire and improve over time.
Rick describes the creative process, from gathering seeds to growing and pruning the tree, in a way that is accessible to artists of all skill levels and genres. He acknowledges that all artists face their own struggles; even the greatest performers may struggle with stage fright, and the best writers may battle self-doubt. Many artists also grapple with impostor syndrome. Reading this, I realized I wasn't alone in my internal conflicts. The book doesn’t just provide creative insights; it also offers wisdom on life, influencing your reality, and living a balanced and sustainable artistic life.
Authored and illustrated by Struthless, a beloved creativity YouTuber, this book employs humor, visuals, and quirky yet precise metaphors to simplify brain functions, mental health, emotions, mindfulness, and psychology. It avoids complex terminology in favor of bizarre metaphors. While not a book on "creating," it resembles a therapy session, aiming to declutter our minds and create a more pleasant headspace before embarking on the creative journey.
This book is much denser and more design-centric, yet it tackles an important issue often overlooked in the design community. Many idealize the notion of being a designer at an agency or in the tech industry, hoping for a creatively fulfilling career. While this path can provide valuable insights into how design functions in society, designers often find themselves overworked because of their "passion." They may also feel disconnected, as the advertisements or products they design serve mainly to boost corporate profits and please shareholders, rather than reflecting their personal values as designers.
A catalog of symbols from human history highlights the significance of using symbols to visually represent abstract ideas. It demonstrates how combining symbols can add depth to the work of visual artists and designers interested in integrating visual symbolism into their creations.
While difference between right and left brain is not scientifically significant, the book was written in the 1979 and proposes the concept of thinking intuitively rather than logically. This drawing book delves into the idea that the “right side” of the brain thinks in a more abstract manner. For instance, beginners can improve their drawing skills significantly by flipping the reference image upside down to perceive its shape and form more accurately. Mastering drawing is not just about acquiring a skill; it involves a deeper process. Paradoxically, it necessitates a shift from logical (L-mode) to intuitive (R-mode) thinking. Proficient artists can make this mental shift at will, enhancing their capacity for broad thinking and creative problem-solving.
Collection of denser academic texts on design that is curated by the wonderful designer
- Talia Cotton
Best $34 I’ve spent, saved me hours of scrolling through thousands of fonts and choice paralysis
There are also great free fonts online but for most use cases this is a great starting point in getting use to combining type styles.
Shared to me from Sophie Auger, one of my design thesis teachers :)
If you’re trying to dig, there are lots of great typefaces and its much more curated that just straight off Google.
Great royalty free stock image websites that you can use in design