I had a lot of time to read this year. Here's what I've been reading
Being alone in Southeast Asia for two months gave me a beautiful and rare opportunity to read as much as I want to. Here are my top 5 design related books that really spoke to me.
Creative Confidence
Authors: Tom Kelley & David Kelly
Why I liked this book
"Creative Confidence" resonated with me because it emphasizes the idea that everyone has the potential to be creative. The authors provide engaging stories and practical strategies that make creativity accessible to anyone, regardless of their field.
Biggest Takeaways
This book taught me the importance of embracing creativity as a mindset rather than a skill limited to artists or designers. It inspired me to take more risks in my creative endeavors and trust in my ability to innovate and solve problems.
Why Design Matters
Authors: Debbie Millamn
Why I liked this book
Debbie Millman’s "Why Design Matters" explores the profound impact design has on our lives through interviews with design luminaries. It offers diverse perspectives on how design shapes the world around us.
Biggest Takeaways
One memorable quote from the book is Milton Glaser’s, “There are three responses to a piece of design: yes, no, and wow. Wow is the one to aim for.” This shifted my focus towards creating designs that evoke a strong emotional response, pushing me to strive for that elusive "wow" factor.
Designing Your Life
Authors: Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Why I liked this book
"Designing Your Life" applies design thinking principles to personal development and career planning, offering a practical framework for prototyping different life paths.
Biggest Takeaways
The concept of "life design interviews" encouraged me to reach out and learn from others’ experiences. This approach has helped me design a life that aligns with my values and aspirations, especially as I navigate career transitions.
Change By Design
Author: Tim Brown
Why I liked this book
Tim Brown’s "Change By Design" explores how design thinking can drive innovation and transformation in organizations, emphasizing empathy and collaboration.
Biggest Takeaways
The book’s stories reinforced the importance of understanding users' needs and experiences. It inspired me to integrate empathy more deeply into my work, ensuring that the solutions I create genuinely address user needs.
Creativity
Author: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Why I liked this book
In "Creativity," Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi delves into the psychology of creative individuals and the conditions that foster creativity, providing a deep understanding of the creative process.
Biggest Takeaways
The exploration of the "flow" state—where one is fully immersed and energized by their work—motivated me to seek out projects that align with my interests and push my skills, guiding me toward a more creative and fulfilling career.
Conclusion
These books have each contributed significantly to my growth as a designer and thinker, equipping me with new tools, perspectives, and inspirations. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of design and unlock their creative potential.
Elise Swibel
Aspiring Design Strategist
I had a lot of time to read this year. Here's what I've been reading
Being alone in Southeast Asia for two months gave me a beautiful and rare opportunity to read as much as I want to. Here are my top 5 design related books that really spoke to me.
Creative Confidence
Authors: Tom Kelley & David Kelly
Why I liked this book
"Creative Confidence" resonated with me because it emphasizes the idea that everyone has the potential to be creative. The authors provide engaging stories and practical strategies that make creativity accessible to anyone, regardless of their field.
Biggest Takeaways
This book taught me the importance of embracing creativity as a mindset rather than a skill limited to artists or designers. It inspired me to take more risks in my creative endeavors and trust in my ability to innovate and solve problems.
Why Design Matters
Authors: Debbie Millamn
Why I liked this book
Debbie Millman’s "Why Design Matters" explores the profound impact design has on our lives through interviews with design luminaries. It offers diverse perspectives on how design shapes the world around us.
Biggest Takeaways
One memorable quote from the book is Milton Glaser’s, “There are three responses to a piece of design: yes, no, and wow. Wow is the one to aim for.” This shifted my focus towards creating designs that evoke a strong emotional response, pushing me to strive for that elusive "wow" factor.
Designing Your Life
Authors: Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Why I liked this book
"Designing Your Life" applies design thinking principles to personal development and career planning, offering a practical framework for prototyping different life paths.
Biggest Takeaways
The concept of "life design interviews" encouraged me to reach out and learn from others’ experiences. This approach has helped me design a life that aligns with my values and aspirations, especially as I navigate career transitions.
Change By Design
Author: Tim Brown
Why I liked this book
Tim Brown’s "Change By Design" explores how design thinking can drive innovation and transformation in organizations, emphasizing empathy and collaboration.
Biggest Takeaways
The book’s stories reinforced the importance of understanding users' needs and experiences. It inspired me to integrate empathy more deeply into my work, ensuring that the solutions I create genuinely address user needs.
Creativity
Author: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Why I liked this book
In "Creativity," Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi delves into the psychology of creative individuals and the conditions that foster creativity, providing a deep understanding of the creative process.
Biggest Takeaways
The exploration of the "flow" state—where one is fully immersed and energized by their work—motivated me to seek out projects that align with my interests and push my skills, guiding me toward a more creative and fulfilling career.
Conclusion
These books have each contributed significantly to my growth as a designer and thinker, equipping me with new tools, perspectives, and inspirations. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of design and unlock their creative potential.
Elise Swibel
Aspiring Design Strategist
I had a lot of time to read this year. Here's what I've been reading
Being alone in Southeast Asia for two months gave me a beautiful and rare opportunity to read as much as I want to. Here are my top 5 design related books that really spoke to me.
Creative Confidence
Authors: Tom Kelley & David Kelly
Why I liked this book
"Creative Confidence" resonated with me because it emphasizes the idea that everyone has the potential to be creative. The authors provide engaging stories and practical strategies that make creativity accessible to anyone, regardless of their field.
Biggest Takeaways
This book taught me the importance of embracing creativity as a mindset rather than a skill limited to artists or designers. It inspired me to take more risks in my creative endeavors and trust in my ability to innovate and solve problems.
Why Design Matters
Authors: Debbie Millamn
Why I liked this book
Debbie Millman’s "Why Design Matters" explores the profound impact design has on our lives through interviews with design luminaries. It offers diverse perspectives on how design shapes the world around us.
Biggest Takeaways
One memorable quote from the book is Milton Glaser’s, “There are three responses to a piece of design: yes, no, and wow. Wow is the one to aim for.” This shifted my focus towards creating designs that evoke a strong emotional response, pushing me to strive for that elusive "wow" factor.
Designing Your Life
Authors: Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Why I liked this book
"Designing Your Life" applies design thinking principles to personal development and career planning, offering a practical framework for prototyping different life paths.
Biggest Takeaways
The concept of "life design interviews" encouraged me to reach out and learn from others’ experiences. This approach has helped me design a life that aligns with my values and aspirations, especially as I navigate career transitions.
Change By Design
Author: Tim Brown
Why I liked this book
Tim Brown’s "Change By Design" explores how design thinking can drive innovation and transformation in organizations, emphasizing empathy and collaboration.
Biggest Takeaways
The book’s stories reinforced the importance of understanding users' needs and experiences. It inspired me to integrate empathy more deeply into my work, ensuring that the solutions I create genuinely address user needs.
Creativity
Author: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Why I liked this book
In "Creativity," Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi delves into the psychology of creative individuals and the conditions that foster creativity, providing a deep understanding of the creative process.
Biggest Takeaways
The exploration of the "flow" state—where one is fully immersed and energized by their work—motivated me to seek out projects that align with my interests and push my skills, guiding me toward a more creative and fulfilling career.
Conclusion
These books have each contributed significantly to my growth as a designer and thinker, equipping me with new tools, perspectives, and inspirations. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of design and unlock their creative potential.
Elise Swibel
Aspiring Design Strategist