Creativity and innovation go hand in hand. Creativity is an art and when executed properly, it leads to innovation. But, just like any other skillset, creativity too, needs practice to enhance and optimize results. With the trending world and never ending enhancements that people have to offer, it is always a wise option to learn from others and their experiences. When was the last time you took out some time to understand the definition of creativity from a third person’s perspective? When was the last time you tried to instill a certain practice into your daily routine which helped you become a more creative individual? And most importantly, when was the last time you realized the value of your skills and creative intelligence? Well, even if the answer is ‘Never’ or it has been too long since you took out some time to work on your creative skills, we will today talk about the seven best books to foster your creativity. Let’s look at how famous authors define creativity and how one can boost their creative abilities to touch the sky.
1. Gamestorming: A playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers
Written by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, and Macanufo, this book offers a very simple solution to all your innovation problems, helping you get your creative juices flowing. The solution? Gamestorming! A compilation of over 80 games for your workplace, these activities are focused on creating a better process for idea generation, strategy building and bringing together team members for better results.
Although more inclined towards the startup generation, this book is an inspiration for everyone who has tried being too serious towards their projects but are stuck at a block. This could be a writer’s block or this could be a general creative block.
Adding a little fun to your schedule will only lighten things up. So stop worrying, start Gamestorming!
2. The Art of Innovation
The very first line on this page states that ”Creativity and Innovation go hand in hand.” Tom Kelley, in this masterpiece, has explained the very basis of the innovation process which starts with a creative approach. Kelley has elaborated on his experiences in IDEO, the design, and innovation consulting firm over the past thirty years and how it led to the development of some amazing products. Certain skillsets which are empowered by this read include the methodology to organize more powerful and efficient brainstorming sessions, resulting in better ideas. It also focuses on the importance of prototyping and how to get the first prototype done, quickly and efficiently. Another important teaching one can get out of this book is the importance of perspectives, both from the developer and the user.
Learning from experiences always teaches you a thing or two about the hurdles and difficulties which can come your way. So, if you are looking for some creative adrenaline to kickstart your innovative engines, this is the book to read!
3. Thinking, Fast and Slow
This book by Daniel Kahneman is a must read for everyone who is looking to boost their creative cells and get the most out of it. The author, a psychologist and a Nobel Prize winner in Economics, aims to explore the reasoning system behind the way we think and do things. This book is a great study of the human mind and classifies the creative mind’s thought process into two phases- one, the fast system, while the other one being much slower yet logical in its approach. The book lays emphasis on how these two phases are an important factor while making any decision in life not limited to the creative process. Honing the ability of your mind, this book is a lifetime experience for anyone who reads it, leading to a strong thinking and a clearer perspective.
4. Steal Like an Artist
Austin Kleon, the New York Times bestselling author and artist, in this book, writes about the ten most essential things one should know about creativity and being an original entity. Since everyone has a different perspective on art, Austin, very brilliantly points out the fact that it does not take a genius to be an artist, rather all it takes to be one is to be himself.
The book has an entertaining approach to explaining the concept of creativity and how it actually works. All the greats have accepted that their works are inspired by other events or places, but it is one’s perspective that makes all the difference. Full of illustrations, examples and practical exercises, this book is a must read to feed the creativity in you.
5. Creative Confidence
The founders of IDEO and Stanford Design School, Tom Kelley and David Kelley, have worked hard to explore and put forward the most efficient ways to get the most out of your creative streak. Everyone has a creative side, it is how the individual decides to get it out that matters. While creativity is generalized to artists, the authors have focused on the importance of the skill in other industries and businesses as well.
While creativity is all about the questioning ability of an individual, it is equally important to devise solutions to your problems, both in the personal as well as professional aspects of life. Creative Confidence pays heed to some of the most practical approaches for creative thinking and how it impacts the decision-making ability.
6. Ignore everybody and 39 other keys to creativity
Hugh Macleod, the author of this book, offers some very practical advice on creativity and innovation. The title is self-explanatory about how one should question everything that goes on around them. A common trait among the greats of the history is their ability to question the system and stand up to the irregularities and that is what makes them stand out of the rest.
In this book, the author takes on the common trend following world and shows the importance of risk taking and how it pays off in the long run. Since the author is a cartoon creator, a creative approach is promised to its readers and with that, getting that creative high is a bonus!
7. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the unseen forces that stand in the way of true inspiration
The co-founder of Pixar animation studio, Ed Catmull has dominated the animation industry for over two decades with blockbusters such as Wall-E, Incredibles! And Toy Story. There cannot be a better source of knowledge about creativity than the co-founder of one of the world’s best animation studios. The book focuses on effective storytelling and how an emotional connection to the characters adds an authentic touch to your work.
Apart from issues such as protection of the creative process, the book talks about the setbacks in life and how creativity plays a major role, not only in overcoming those but also enhancing the decision-making abilities. The book, a tell-all for the setbacks Pixar Animation Studio faced and the way the team tackled them, is an abundance of life experience from the master himself. To know more, read this book!