Amelia’s Magazine | Change Your Mind: 57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self – Book Review

Change your mind by Rod Judkins book review
Are you a creative person? Given the nature of my website I suspect that almost all my readers would regard themselves as creative in some way – and if not actively creating themselves, then appreciating, encouraging and inspiring the creations of others. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here, right? In fact I agree with Rod Judkins when he says that we all of us have the potential to be creative. I would go even further and say that humans are instinctively creative or we would not be where we are today, with an advanced society that generates so many amazing ideas in every area of life.

But maybe you are reading this and thinking ‘Pah, I don’t feel very creative. At least, not as creative as I’d like to be.‘ Well, fear not for help is at hand with the aid of Change Your Mind: 57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self from Hardie Grant, a nifty little yellow book by the aforementioned RCA fine arts graduate Rod Judkins, who lectures in creative thinking at places such as Central Saint Martins. According to Judkins self belief accounts for 90% of success, and this book is here to bolster just such a positive outlook when it comes to creative thinking.

Change Your Mind by Rod Judkins book review
I must admit when I first saw this book I thought it might just be a lot of hot air like so many others of this ilk, but it proved me wrong. Sure, it’s petite, pretty to look at and easy to digest, either by dipping in and out of for inspiration, or in just an hour or two wholesale. But it also contains plenty of great ideas backed up by handy quotes from famous people and interesting historical facts.

‘Do not see failure as a sign of defeat, but one of many stepping-stones to success.’

Some ideas are more controversial than others, for instance Judkins implores us to embrace technology – or risk being overwhelmed by it. There are probably many determinedly luddite artists who disagree with him. He also says that ‘People will support someone with a passion. They will want to help you and money will be part of that help.‘ Having run Amelia’s Magazine for nigh on ten years, during which time I’ve had no great offers of financial worth, and indeed have barely scraped together a living, I’m not sure I wholly agree with this postulation: it might give people false hope. But then again, I am a living breathing example of passion driving someone forward or I wouldn’t be writing this today: I run Amelia’s Magazine because I can’t help myself.

Change Your Mind by Rod Judkins book review amateurs
‘Don’t look for fashion in a clothes store or history in a museum. Look for fashion in a grocer and history in a funfair.’

Many of the snappily titled mini chapters undoubtedly offer good advice: creatives are urged to Live the Dream, to let their minds wander to create the stuff that our world is made of. Collaborate, innovate, don’t find excuses for why you can’t create, make sure you hang out with people who encourage you, not those who pull you down. Don’t strive to be original, when producing imitations often sparks the creation of brand new work. One of the most fascinating elements of this book are the little details such as the fact that Francis Bacon copied Picasso: you can imagine Judkins entrancing his students as he metes out these tidbits in his lectures.

‘To live creatively you have to surround yourself with things that interest you…Most creative thinkers are collectors, often of esoteric object.’

I particularly like this quote: manna to someone like me, an inveterate hoarder who has a house full of stuff that I’ve collected just in case I may need to use it in a project one day. In the next breath though, we are urged to make our workplaces streamlined… that one I could do with working on. The book ends with the comment that ‘While everyone else is thinking of reasons why a task is too difficult, impossible, the creative are thinking of reasons why it’s possible.’ So, what are you waiting for?

Change Your Mind by Rod Judkins book review creativity
If you need anymore persuasion why not pick up a copy of Change Your Mind for yourself? It’s a pleasure to read and I’m fairly sure it will get those creative juices flowing. And if you are in need of more practical help, there’s always the Startup Showcase from the School for Creative Startups: on this weekend at Somerset House. There’s a fascinating array of speakers including my mentor Patricia van den Akker of The Design Trust.

All images courtesy of Change Your Mind: 57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self, published by Hardie Grant.

Categories ,57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self, ,Central Saint Martins, ,Change Your Mind, ,Francis Bacon, ,Hardie Books, ,Live the Dream, ,Patricia van den Akker, ,picasso, ,rca, ,review, ,Rod Judkins, ,School for Creative Startups, ,Somerset House, ,Startup Showcase, ,The Design Trust

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Amelia’s Magazine | Change Your Mind: 57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self – Book Review

Change your mind by Rod Judkins book review
Are you a creative person? Given the nature of my website I suspect that almost all my readers would regard themselves as creative in some way – and if not actively creating themselves, then appreciating, encouraging and inspiring the creations of others. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here, right? In fact I agree with Rod Judkins when he says that we all of us have the potential to be creative. I would go even further and say that humans are instinctively creative or we would not be where we are today, with an advanced society that generates so many amazing ideas in every area of life.

But maybe you are reading this and thinking ‘Pah, I don’t feel very creative. At least, not as creative as I’d like to be.‘ Well, fear not for help is at hand with the aid of Change Your Mind: 57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self from Hardie Grant, a nifty little yellow book by the aforementioned RCA fine arts graduate Rod Judkins, who lectures in creative thinking at places such as Central Saint Martins. According to Judkins self belief accounts for 90% of success, and this book is here to bolster just such a positive outlook when it comes to creative thinking.

Change Your Mind by Rod Judkins book review
I must admit when I first saw this book I thought it might just be a lot of hot air like so many others of this ilk, but it proved me wrong. Sure, it’s petite, pretty to look at and easy to digest, either by dipping in and out of for inspiration, or in just an hour or two wholesale. But it also contains plenty of great ideas backed up by handy quotes from famous people and interesting historical facts.

‘Do not see failure as a sign of defeat, but one of many stepping-stones to success.’

Some ideas are more controversial than others, for instance Judkins implores us to embrace technology – or risk being overwhelmed by it. There are probably many determinedly luddite artists who disagree with him. He also says that ‘People will support someone with a passion. They will want to help you and money will be part of that help.‘ Having run Amelia’s Magazine for nigh on ten years, during which time I’ve had no great offers of financial worth, and indeed have barely scraped together a living, I’m not sure I wholly agree with this postulation: it might give people false hope. But then again, I am a living breathing example of passion driving someone forward or I wouldn’t be writing this today: I run Amelia’s Magazine because I can’t help myself.

Change Your Mind by Rod Judkins book review amateurs
‘Don’t look for fashion in a clothes store or history in a museum. Look for fashion in a grocer and history in a funfair.’

Many of the snappily titled mini chapters undoubtedly offer good advice: creatives are urged to Live the Dream, to let their minds wander to create the stuff that our world is made of. Collaborate, innovate, don’t find excuses for why you can’t create, make sure you hang out with people who encourage you, not those who pull you down. Don’t strive to be original, when producing imitations often sparks the creation of brand new work. One of the most fascinating elements of this book are the little details such as the fact that Francis Bacon copied Picasso: you can imagine Judkins entrancing his students as he metes out these tidbits in his lectures.

‘To live creatively you have to surround yourself with things that interest you…Most creative thinkers are collectors, often of esoteric object.’

I particularly like this quote: manna to someone like me, an inveterate hoarder who has a house full of stuff that I’ve collected just in case I may need to use it in a project one day. In the next breath though, we are urged to make our workplaces streamlined… that one I could do with working on. The book ends with the comment that ‘While everyone else is thinking of reasons why a task is too difficult, impossible, the creative are thinking of reasons why it’s possible.’ So, what are you waiting for?

Change Your Mind by Rod Judkins book review creativity
If you need anymore persuasion why not pick up a copy of Change Your Mind for yourself? It’s a pleasure to read and I’m fairly sure it will get those creative juices flowing. And if you are in need of more practical help, there’s always the Startup Showcase from the School for Creative Startups: on this weekend at Somerset House. There’s a fascinating array of speakers including my mentor Patricia van den Akker of The Design Trust.

All images courtesy of Change Your Mind: 57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self, published by Hardie Grant.

Categories ,57 Ways To Unlock Your Creative Self, ,Central Saint Martins, ,Change Your Mind, ,Francis Bacon, ,Hardie Books, ,Live the Dream, ,Patricia van den Akker, ,picasso, ,rca, ,review, ,Rod Judkins, ,School for Creative Startups, ,Somerset House, ,Startup Showcase, ,The Design Trust

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Amelia’s Magazine | A review of the 2013 Startup Showcase from the School for Creative Startups

David Bowie cushion - Circus Matt Manson
This weekend the School for Creative Startups returned to Somerset House to celebrate the work of their graduates with a full programme of talks and workshops focused on ways to start up and successfully run a creative business. I was really impressed with the variety of companies on display in the ‘pop up marketplace’ – most of whom have just finished the year long business training course led by School for Creative Startups founder Doug Richard, a former Dragon’s Den contributor and serial entrepreneur. Here’s my pick of the talent on show:

Circus Matt Manson scarf David Bowie
Circus Brixton have a stall entirely constructed out of cardboard in the newly invigorated Brixton Market: their timely David Bowie collaboration with illustrator Matt Manson comes on cushions and scarves.

Biplane Press Letterpress and growth ruler
I spoke at length to Pia from Biplane Press, who has been building up her bespoke Letterpress business as her two kids get older. Her beautiful wall display showed off the variety and quality of her stationery commissions, and her handmade growth chart ruler is unsurprisingly one of her best sellers.

Cocoa Hernando chocolate
Cocoa Hernando is the creation of Paul Tomlinson, who dreamt up the idea for a chocolate brand featuring the most exciting flavours from around the world during a trip around India. This travel theme inspired his superb presentation – gorgeously illustrated packets of chocolate strapped into old suitcases. The chocolate itself was absolutely delicious, particularly the awesome Masala Chai flavour.

emilythepemily Emily Boyd illustrator
Emilythepemily is Emily Boyd, an illustrator from Bristol. I like her characterful surface designs.

Minus Sun embroidered resin jewellery
Minus Sun creates pretty resin jewels that contain tiny fragments of embroidery.

Survival Arts Bumblebee art competition
Survival Arts is a brilliant concept to raise awareness of lesser known species facing extinction, by instigating art workshops and competitions that will lead to the creation of products that will help to raise money for that animal (or insect, or amphibian). This is an idea I’ve long been interested in so it’s great to see it being into practice by founders Dr Suzy Paisley-Day (a conservation biologist) and Kate Coleman. Their first textile design has been created in the style of The Butterfly Ball, and features a British bee that has already gone extinct. They are currently running a competition to celebrate the homecoming of the short-haired bumblebee – find out more info here.

Lili and Ida moon fairies necklace
Lili & Ida combines dainty laser cut jewellery with jersey fashion pieces that feature detachable straps inspired by vintage hinges. Aren’t these fairies on a moon cute?

Margot Bowman creature head
Designer Margot Bowman is involved with a multitude of projects. I liked her colourful painted creature.

Inky Shades anteater lampshade
Fancy something a little bit unusual for your interior? How about these delightful illustrated lampshades by Inky Shades. I have a particular penchant for this peachy anteater in a bowler hat.

Kate Mawby knitwear stand
Kate Mawby knitted cushions
Interiors knit designer Kate Mawby really impressed with a sharply styled stand piled up with knitted cushions and throws. She had also made good use of technology and incentive to do some market research: answer an online questionnaire and stand the chance to win a cushion.

Frilly by Lily daisy citrine ring
Jewellery brand Frilly by Lily has branched out from upcycled vintage pieces to create these pretty new daisy citrine rings. Lily is keeping an emphasis on ethical sourcing and manufacturing, so these latest collections will contain on average 50% recycled materials. Good to know!

Hunk Home startup showcase flowers
Beautiful flowers to brighten a miserable March weekend, put together in a fetching display by Hunk Home.

It was really refreshing to find so many different types of creative business on offer in one place and I hope to see plenty more from the brands who were on show in the coming years. Find out more about the School for Creative Startups on their website.

Categories ,Biplane Press, ,Brixton Market, ,Circus Brixton, ,Cocoa Hernando, ,David Bowie, ,Doug Richard, ,Dr Suzy Paisley-Day, ,Dragon’s Den, ,Emily Boyd, ,Emilythepemily, ,Frilly by Lily, ,Hunk Home, ,Inky Shades, ,Kate Coleman, ,Kate Mawby, ,letterpress, ,Lili & Ida, ,Margot Bowman, ,Masala Chai, ,Matt Manson, ,Minus Sun, ,Paul Tomlinson, ,School for Creative Startups, ,Somerset House, ,Survival Arts, ,The Butterfly Ball

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