The Graphic Design Diary of Scott Landells

W e have now reached chapter 10 of Austin Kleon's book, Steal Like an Artist. This is the last chapter in a very interesting journey. I was skeptical at first. Now I find myself using his methodology and sharing his ideas with friends. I'm glad I read this book. It's definitely a keeper. So as Kleon closes his little book with a challenge and an endorsement that it's not so much what we put in our work, but what we keep out. He say's, "Nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of limitless possibilities." That sounds absurd. What does he mean? How can he suggest we limit ourselves? Kleon suggests that using constraints is actually a form of freedom. To concentrate on what is really important. And therefore will lead to our best work. So he has given us a challenge. To do a project in which we actually limit ourselves. I think he is right. I think having constraints can make you more creative. Creativity is a form of problem solving. Limits can force...

This week, ladies and gentlemen, I read the next chapter in Austin Kleon's book called Steal Like an Artist. Chapter 9's is called  Be Boring (It's the Only Way to Get Work Done.) And he's right. In this chapter, Kleon talks about basic life management skills. The skills that everyone should have and follow to live a long and happy life. It might sound boring, but in reality it's the wise thing to do. Something Hunter S. Thompson never did and look what happened to him. Kleon dispels the myth about an artist's life. He suggests that we should not follow in the foot steps of people like Jean Michel Basquiat, Kurt Cobain or Amy Winehouse. Instead, we should be smart about life choices we make with our bodies, finances, work, time and marriage. And I agree with with him 100%. I want to live a long life. There is too much to live for, and if that means I have to eat right, exercise and see my doctor every year, it's worth it. I hate being sick. If you th...

In this day and age, technology has literally made this world feel smaller. We can communicate with anyone around the planet instantly. Sometimes this is good and sometimes it is not good. For better or for worse, we are a global community, so be mindful of what you say.  That brings me to this week's chapter 8 review of Austin Kleon's book, Steal Like and Artist. Kleon covers several topics but they all have one common denominator. He says if we want to make it in this world, stop wasting time making enemies and spend time finding the smartest and the most creative people in the world. When you find them, surround yourself with them. They will be a positive influence, giving you inspiration and the energy to make great things, instead of sucking the marrow.  In the past year, I've been surrounded by a lot of creative people. These people are my fellow classmates and my teachers. I've been challenged by all of them, just by the fact they are so good at what...

This week I read chapter seven of Steal Like an Artist by Autstin Kleon. The chapter is titled, Build Your Own World . In this chapter Kleon talks about how creative people can stay creative getting out of their safety zones. He encourages the reader to travel and to meet new creative people, while trying new food of course. Kleon believes putting yourself in new situations to help your brain work harder and therefore he believes that creativity will spawn from those new experiences. Fortunately for the financially impaired, traveling to distance lands is not always required due to the internet. The internet can be a gateway to meeting new people and sharing ideas without necessarily leaving your hometown. I agree with Kleon. This chapter reminded me that I need to break out of my routines and try new things. His words helped me to reflect on my own life and perhaps ways I could experience new places, people and things. And I took encouragement that I don't have to go very far ...

Sharing is one of our primal behaviors. Among primates sharing must be taught by example and correction. Even before we ago to school our parents are teaching us how to share. They teach us why we should share.When to share. What to share. Where to share. Sharing is the politeness. Sharing is survival. This week I review chapter six of  Steal Like an Artist by   Austin Kleon. The title of the chapter is "The Secret: Do Good Work and Share it With People." Right off the bat Kleon poses the question, "how do I get discovered?" Well it's not that easy. And Kleon likes to point out that college environments are artificial. In other words, everybody is paying or being paid to be there, so college does not accurately portray what the real world will be like after graduation. Unfortunately, the artificial candy land cannot last forever. Kleon offers a solution. He suggests we should promote ourselves. We should share our work, good or bad, and the process tha...

Chapter 5, Practice Productive Procrastination, Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. My telescope. I can see the rings of Saturn. One of my remodeling projects. I repaired/painted the floor. Painted the walls, and windows. Design: Jessica Hische This week Kleon encourages us to do nothing productively. He likes to call it “practicing productive procrastination.” He says our passions are a part of us and it is okay to have many of them all at once. You could call them hobbies. Kleon says hobbies are good. He said hobbies shouldn’t be money makers. You only do it for yourself. On the other hand, Jessica Hische suggests people should do the work while one procrastinates is the work they should do as a career. And it can be re-energizing. Let’s be real. I’m in college and I don’t have a lot of time to do nothing, so that means I don’t have any side projects now. I need one. I’d like to have one right now. I have some planned for spring and summer break. The b...