In the spring of 2011, Austin Kleon was invited to address students at Broome Community College in upstate New York. During his talk, he compiled a straightforward list of advice that he wished he had heard when he was their age. The list included the following points: “Steal like an artist; Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things; Write the book you want to read; Use your hands; Side projects are important; Do good work and put it where people can see it; Geography is no longer our master; Be nice (the world is a small town.); Be boring (it’s the only way to get work done.); and, Creativity is subtraction.”
After delivering the speech, Austin Kleon decided to share the text and slides on his popular blog. To his surprise, the content quickly went viral. Encouraged by the positive response, Kleon expanded his original manifesto into an illustrated guide that embraces the creative life. The book is tailored for writers, artists, entrepreneurs, designers, photographers, musicians, and anyone striving to create in the digital age. It presents its insights in a brief, direct, and visually engaging manner.
In addition to the valuable advice, the book features illustrative anecdotes and mini-exercises designed to prompt readers to take practical actions and unlock their own creative potential. Overall, the book serves as a valuable resource for those pursuing various forms of art, careers, and fulfilling lives in today’s digital era.
