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Ideaspotting: How to Find Your Next Great Idea
THE NEXT BIG IDEA IS OUT THERE—YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO SPOT IT Creativity is crucial to business and design success. How do you unleash bursts of creativity, increase occurrences of spontaneity and ultimately find great ideas? Through anecdotes, interviews, quotes, tips, creative exercises and success stories from the biggest corporations in the country, author Sam Harrison shows you how to think outside the box—then throw away the box for good. You’ll be encouraged *Listen and observe *Step outside your daily routine *Explore through travel *Find ideas in nature *Break out of ruts *Learn from mistakes *Get past the surface *Connect existing ideas Busy professionals CAN learn how to peek under the mundane to find the magical, to find insights rather than information, and to learn what makes their clients laugh, cry, scream—and ultimately buy.
"One good idea is all you need to change your life; this book shows you how to find it." —Brian Tracy, author of Getting Rich Your Own Way "
If the best way to find a good idea is to find lots of ideas, then here’s the best guidebook I know for your hunt."
—Brian Collins, Collins Design
"Exercise for the brain is just as important as exercise for the body. In Ideaspotting , Sam Harrison stretches your mental muscles in a way you’ll never forget."
—Al Ries, author of The Origin of Brands
"One good idea is all you need to change your life; this book shows you how to find it." —Brian Tracy, author of Getting Rich Your Own Way "
If the best way to find a good idea is to find lots of ideas, then here’s the best guidebook I know for your hunt."
—Brian Collins, Collins Design
"Exercise for the brain is just as important as exercise for the body. In Ideaspotting , Sam Harrison stretches your mental muscles in a way you’ll never forget."
—Al Ries, author of The Origin of Brands
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2006
14 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Sam Harrison
5 books12 followersSam Harrison is an in-demand speaker and popular author whose mission is to help people expand and express their creativity. He writes and speaks on creativity-related topics and on presentation skills.
Sam draws from experience, having been on all sides of creative communications—agency and freelance, client and corporate, and, most recently, academic, speaking and coaching.
During his years in product development, brand communications and creative services, Sam worked with such clients and associates as the NFL, Major League Baseball, Hallmark, American Express, Merrill Lynch and Hasbro.
The author of three previous books, Sam presents to conferences and companies throughout North America and beyond. He has also taught a variety of classes at Portfolio Center’s graduate studies program.
He has been a regular contributor to Fast Company, HOW Design Magazine, IdeaConnections and many other blogs and publications.
Sam can be found at www.zingzone.com
Sam draws from experience, having been on all sides of creative communications—agency and freelance, client and corporate, and, most recently, academic, speaking and coaching.
During his years in product development, brand communications and creative services, Sam worked with such clients and associates as the NFL, Major League Baseball, Hallmark, American Express, Merrill Lynch and Hasbro.
The author of three previous books, Sam presents to conferences and companies throughout North America and beyond. He has also taught a variety of classes at Portfolio Center’s graduate studies program.
He has been a regular contributor to Fast Company, HOW Design Magazine, IdeaConnections and many other blogs and publications.
Sam can be found at www.zingzone.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 9, 2009
This was a pretty cool book, written by Sam Harrison. A cross between one of those Hallmark books with their inspirational aphorisms, a new age-y self-help book, and a DIY crash course in how to make your ideas and projects better. It was highly designed mixing heavy graphics with bite-sized bullet points on how to find ideas and how to capitalize on them. Everything was streamlined and nothing felt repetitive or unnecessary. It just kept slamming the reader with you-can-do it success story after you-can-do it success story.
Most of the things are pretty basic (explore, listen, take notes, etc.), but it has a nice style and really makes you feel like it believes in you. It also features quotes from writers, baseball players, chemists and musicians to drive its points home. Also, while it seems aimed at the creative community, really anyone could benefit from a lot of the advice. Like for instance the section on the Listening Sins. I know I've been guilty of a few of those. It also tells you to look outside of your field for advice on how to make what you are doing better, fresher. And all in bite-sized nuggets.
Most of the things are pretty basic (explore, listen, take notes, etc.), but it has a nice style and really makes you feel like it believes in you. It also features quotes from writers, baseball players, chemists and musicians to drive its points home. Also, while it seems aimed at the creative community, really anyone could benefit from a lot of the advice. Like for instance the section on the Listening Sins. I know I've been guilty of a few of those. It also tells you to look outside of your field for advice on how to make what you are doing better, fresher. And all in bite-sized nuggets.
March 21, 2009
Good resource to have for brainstorming meetings, or when you're thinking.
March 30, 2013
A must-read book on creative tools in self development for knowledge workers, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.
September 9, 2020
The books describes various aspects about "how to ignite good idea and make good things happen"
Exploring is the very first step of anything fantastic - you want to invent something new? Go outside and see how people used to fight with the old problem.
According to the book, exploration depends on "How wide is your world"(p.39):
1: Where do you get core news about what's happening in the world?
2. How do you keep current on what's happening in your field of work?
3. How do you stay mindful of what's going on in the business world?
4. How do you learn about the interests, needs, and lifestyle of age groups older and younger than you?
5. How do you gain insights about the perspectives of the opposite gender?
6. How do you stay current on developments in science and technology?
7. How do you stay aware of trends in entertainment and style - for various age groups and both genders?
8. How do you keep expanding your knowledge of the arts and humanities
9. How do you become increasingly enlightened about physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being?
Exploring is the very first step of anything fantastic - you want to invent something new? Go outside and see how people used to fight with the old problem.
According to the book, exploration depends on "How wide is your world"(p.39):
1: Where do you get core news about what's happening in the world?
2. How do you keep current on what's happening in your field of work?
3. How do you stay mindful of what's going on in the business world?
4. How do you learn about the interests, needs, and lifestyle of age groups older and younger than you?
5. How do you gain insights about the perspectives of the opposite gender?
6. How do you stay current on developments in science and technology?
7. How do you stay aware of trends in entertainment and style - for various age groups and both genders?
8. How do you keep expanding your knowledge of the arts and humanities
9. How do you become increasingly enlightened about physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being?
May 17, 2025
I listened to Ideaspitting on a flight from Greenville to LA, and honestly—it was exactly what my brain needed. The book is straightforward and practical, and it somehow keeps you in a creative zone without trying too hard.
What surprised me was that some of the ideas I had while listening were totally unrelated to what was being said—but they still came rushing in. It just kept me in that flow state where everything felt clear and connected. I ended up filling my Notes app with ideas—some I’d forgotten about, some new goals, and some random-but-exciting thoughts I want to revisit.
For me it didnt force anything—it just opened up space for my own ideas to surface. It’s a great read if you want to shake loose some mental clutter and make room for fresh thinking. Simple, useful, and definitely left me with more than I expected.
What surprised me was that some of the ideas I had while listening were totally unrelated to what was being said—but they still came rushing in. It just kept me in that flow state where everything felt clear and connected. I ended up filling my Notes app with ideas—some I’d forgotten about, some new goals, and some random-but-exciting thoughts I want to revisit.
For me it didnt force anything—it just opened up space for my own ideas to surface. It’s a great read if you want to shake loose some mental clutter and make room for fresh thinking. Simple, useful, and definitely left me with more than I expected.
June 9, 2019
Pretty basic...also somewhat tree-huggery
October 29, 2021
A lot of quotes and small anecdotes (CEO of company X liked to listen to employees' stories).
April 1, 2015
What a fantastic book - if your boss have ever asked you to think outside the square or be more innovative or try to solve a problem that seems impossible - then read this book. You will never use your senses the same way again.
It does not matter if you are a designer, a writer, an engineer, a programmer, an employee or a boss, a student or a teacher - this book is for everybody
Great for beginners and old hands. Dip in and out or read in one binge - again and again.
I bought three copies, one for me, one for our design studio and one extra because I knew someone would steal a copy eventually. So far two copies have gone walk about...
It does not matter if you are a designer, a writer, an engineer, a programmer, an employee or a boss, a student or a teacher - this book is for everybody
Great for beginners and old hands. Dip in and out or read in one binge - again and again.
I bought three copies, one for me, one for our design studio and one extra because I knew someone would steal a copy eventually. So far two copies have gone walk about...
July 15, 2008
I am only 4 chapters into this book, but I really love it! It was recommended to me from a collague I have great respect for. It is not a traditional read. The back of the book describes it well as "interviews, quotes, tips, creative exercises and success stories". As an artist and teacher, I find all of the above helpful and motivating. :) You can borrow my copy when I am done!
September 23, 2013
Ideaspotting is a fairly short read and focuses on presenting different ways to arrive at creative ideas. The book is written in an anecdotal style recounting how different people in creative industries come up with ideas.
I don't suggest buying the book, however, if you borrow it from a library maybe give it a read.
I don't suggest buying the book, however, if you borrow it from a library maybe give it a read.
December 20, 2007
An excellent guidebook for creative thinking
January 30, 2012
Concise and effective
February 9, 2014
Bite size nuggets on business creativity. Enough for a taste, but ultimately not very filling.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews