3 Books to Keep Moving Forward as a Creative
Walk into a book store and there’s a wide selection of material on any given topic. Design is no different, and trying to find ones that both hold your interest and are useful can take long hours of curating. Here’s a few of my favorites that have proven to be useful and inspiring, not only while I read them, but months after—often times when I need that extra spark of knowledge, I refer back to these and the tidbits they offer.
Creativity, Inc
Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
It’s no secret that Disney and Pixar have created an awe-inspiring, magical brand. This book dives into Catmull’s success as a Disney executive and his path leading to it. It’s an inspiring and motivating read for any creative no matter where they are in their career path. His perspective is unique in that he is a creative individual, but his forte lies specifically in business and leadership. Two areas that often seem to be overlooked in fine arts higher education. The more knowledge you can gain in these two niches, the more doors open up for your creative career.
Catmull is a huge advocate for collaboration on every level, however difficult it may be. He created the iconic Braintrust where everyone on a project gets a seat and voice at the table. He talks of fear and failure and what it’s like to experience both of those in a company as large and high profile as Disney/Pixar. All in all, there’s inspiration and motivation in this book that anyone can implement into their creative lives or teams.
Go to Book Site
The Advertising Concept Book
Pete Barry
I found this book via Goodreads shortly after I had been promoted to Creative Director. I knew I had the drive and design expertise to be in my new role, but I also was keenly aware of how much I needed to learn. This book is a wealth of information and is basically a handbook for creating campaigns. If you have the creative talent, you can take the guidelines in this book and begin to create compelling, successful and lucrative campaigns. One of the best aspects of this book is that it gives actual hand-drawn examples, rather than just explanations. If you can grab the latest edition, you’ll not only be well-versed in how to create well-thought campaigns but also how to implement them into our ever-changing world of marketing that includes digital, video, and social media. This is a book you’ll end up referencing time and time again, especially when you’re hitting roadblocks for strategic creativity.
Go to Book Site
In Progress
Jessica Hische
If you haven’t yet heard of Jessica Hische, run don’t walk to her site. A designer and illustrator who was mentored by Louise Fili, she is exceptional at handwritten illustration and lettering, not to mention layout and design in general. Her skill set is boundless and her style can leave you looking at her work for hours still wanting more. Another book that dives deep into process and shows actual examples of the nitty grittiness of conceptualization, this book is a must-have on any designer’s shelf.