A Daily Creativity Journal

by Noah Scalin

The concept of Noah Scalin’s "365 method" is simple but inspired: Choose a theme or medium, then make something every day for a year. Noah made 365 skull-themed projects . . . now he invites you to choose your obsession and get creative!The book offers 365 project prompts to kick start your creativity, plus plenty of room for journaling, sketching, and jotting down ideas. Learn how to choose your subject and document your work, and see examples from other artists and crafters who took the 365 challenge. In addition, master new techniques to incorporate into your projects, including quilling, clay-making, paper pop-up engineering, and more. With 365: A Daily Creativity Journal you’ll get charged up, get messy, and get inspired, and you’ll see how making something every day can change your creative process—and change your life—forever!

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Self Help, Journaling, Journal, Writing

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Noah Scalin is an artist and author based in Richmond, Virginia. Noah is the creator of the Webby Award winning art project Skull-A-Day . His fine art has been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally, including the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago, and Krause Gallery in NYC. He also co-runs the art & innovation consulting firm he founded Another Limited Rebellion and is a sought after public speaker on creativity. He is the author of six books including most recently Creative Sprint: Six 30-Day Challenges to Jumpstart Your Creativity which he co-wrote with his sister Mica Scalin. He's also the creator of the collaborative science fiction universe League of Space Pirates.

Reviews

[Plateresca]

A book that made me do something creative for 365 days in a row, which couldn't but lead to some positive changes in my life.

[Noah]

The new edition of my book is now available!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin???? So many thoughts but they are not organized in my head. I love creating but I don't find time to do it. I say to myself I am going to do this or that each day. I never really do though. I saw this book at Borders and picked it up without really looking at it. I love his attitude about creating. I love how he encourages flexibility and willingness to fail in whatever project one would consider to do. Some of the daily projects he mentions I have seen online. I love reading about them and getting inspiration. Now to clean out my papercraft supplies :p I haven't decided what I am going to do yet because I have too many ideas running through my head. I decided since it is a 365 day project I will wait till the beginning of the year to start. In the next 5-6 months it will be complete the Works in Progress.

I highly recommend this for any kind of creativity. It doesn't have to be crafts, sewing, etc. Use it if you are a writer, photographer, start a personal journal. There are so many ways to use this that people don't consider creativity but actually are.

One of my favorite things in the book was in one of the profiles on an artist. Randel Plowman, acollageaday.blogspot.com (heading over there when done here), said "Sometimes the creative process just involves sitting down and beginning something instead of thinking about it too much." That is indeed probably one of my biggest problems is thinking too much. These artists spend 15 minutes to an hour on their projects and it takes me hours to do a simple thing. Not even the actual doing it but thinking about it.

My favorite project links from the book:
daily-nail.blogspot.com
obsessiveconsumption.typepad.com -- I decided I'm going to this myself
365letters.blogspot.com -- I want to do this one. I'm horrible at letters so this would be a challenge

The majority of this book is 365 daily prompts. I did not read a fraction of them. I think it would be best to discover them as I go along. (I still think I can mark the book read though :))

[Irene Ziegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for the person who may have uttered, "I'm not very creative." We're all creative people; perhaps not all of us are producing, or leading creative lives. This journal is not intended to do your creating for you, or even lead you toward Scalin's idea of the creative life. Instead, like any good teacher, Scalin introduces you to your own creative muscles and shows you how to turn ideas into art, one day at a time. That the process is fun, thoughtful, and often challenging gives this substance beyond other how-to books, which are usually too precious for my liking.

[Mim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying reading this book. So many ideas. It also works as a calendar, even if you don't do any of the suggestions. This book will actually never be finished but will become a reference book. Although, I might use it as an actual journal once I finish my current one.

[Lady Reese Kightkens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It is so simple and yet so genius.

Do something creative for 365 days. As an artist, there are days when the ideas just disappear. Noah Scalin's book gives ideas, inspiration, and encouragement to get the creative mind in gear. In this new edition, there are enough prompts for one year plus an additional month. Each prompt allows for your mind to start when there was nothing there to begin with. Or it can allow you to take a simple idea suggested and turn it into a complex theme. There are endless possibilities to each day, the only goal is to complete the prompt.

Fun and easy, thought provoking yet invigorating, simple but freeing. This is truly a the best guide to getting an artist out of mediocrity, out of a comfort zone, or even out of a creative rut.

[Amy Kopperude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough how inspiring this journal is for the creative soul. I am so thankful for my own 365 experience and how it led to the publication of Bead Bugs! This journal has created a huge community of connectivity through various online 365 projects that absolutely astound me. Mr. Scalin has done more than write a book of creativity prompts!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good. When I first. Picked it up I thought it was just a craft journal but as I read it I realized it was something much more. This book has inspired me to do my own year long project.

[Noran Miss Pumkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book, after reading about the authors DIY art project he did, and reviewing his blog/website. I am trying to gear up to start my own year project--just stuck on a starting point/also i am not artistic talented either.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah's creative prompts and stories about other project-a-day people are super inspiring! This book is like a choose-your-own-adventure book for creative types who want to make stuff and explore ideas. Helps to spur creativity and keep you accountable in a fun way.

[Robin Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful pathway for all us blocked creators!

[Nedam]

This book is exactly what it says, 365 prompts to be creative interspersed with a few short interviews of artists. Leafing through it, there are quite a few that require you to go outside, use a car, or work underwater (it can be a bowl of water, no worries), none of which I can do since I'm permanently bedridden.

A lot of it is about working with objects around you and in 3D. I was looking for inspiration for my art journal.

So while the book's not for me, if you're looking for prompts to throw you out of your comfort zone and make you think creatively, this could be fun for you.

[Angie Page-Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Lame

Just an average book with average ideas. Many ideas were the same with a color change. So I can’t recommend this book. Also the Kindle version has links that are no longer valid. So disappointed.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic fodder for my upcoming project though I’m going for the 52 weeks approach. Great tips, ideas and inspirational interviews here. What a find/sign only days before I begin!

[Humberto Liann]

Love the overall book thematic! It's definitely a go-to this one.

[jimtown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one you really must buy. Many cool prompts to kick start and complete a journal. Can be used over and over, bound only by your creativity.

[Mike Ogilvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up 365: A Daily Creativity Journal, I was looking to inspire myself with ways to push creativity in my job to new levels. (Full disclosure: the author, Noah Scalin, happens to be a friend of mine, so it was something I wanted to read anyway). This book accomplished its goal for me and was even a lot of fun to read, too.

I work in what is typically considered a non-creative field - computer programming. However, there are a lot of creative elements that go into properly designing and building good programs and I.T. systems. Throw business ownership into the mix and creativity is a truly necessary skill.

The author had done a very successful daily art/creativity project for a year (Skull-a-day), and this book helps encourage people to do similar creativity-inducing projects. It's very open-ended and strives to help people think about projects for themselves that don't have to conform to the way that Noah or anyone else has done it. There are lots of interviews with other creative-types that have taken on similar projects - from Jonathan Coulton's "Thing-A-Week" songs to a pair of friends who posted a picture of where they were at 7:15 every day to more traditional artists creating art on a set schedule. It's a wide range of things that are really inspiring.

But the basic structure of the book is a journal. There are 365 entries that have kernels of ideas that one might use for inspiration if doing your own daily/weekly/periodic project. It's meant to serve as a true journal for you to take notes in, but I read through as a traditional book and still really enjoyed the journey.

While I didn't read this book with the expectation that I'd start my own project, I'm thinking I probably will. The basic premise is very alluring and I think would be a lot of fun. The point is that if you don't want to start a project, you'll get a lot out of it. You may end up being inspired to do one anyway. And that's nothing but a good thing.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of doing a 365 project intrigues me. At the same time, it terrifies me. I keep inching closer to the thought of committing to creating something every day for an entire year. Can I do it? Yes. Will I do it? I don't know. Every time I get close to thinking I'm going to start, something urges caution and I delay again. I'm afraid of getting lazy or bored or distracted.

Scalin's 365 project was skulls. He created some brilliant art work - a giant snow skull, a skull involving ketchup and mustard bottles, sushi - they're amazing! This book is meant to spark ideas for every day of the year. Many of them sparked in my head while reading and I can see returning to the book over and over to get re-sparked. His blog featuring his 365 skull art is incredible to scroll through.

His other blog, Make Something 365 is, by turns, intimidating and inspiring. He has done interviews with people who are just starting out on their 365 journeys and he features interviews with people who've completed. It's an incredible mix of art (photos, drawings, one guy is listening to a Billy Joel song every day and writing a review about it). I scroll through and think to myself, "that's a GREAT idea - why didn't I think of that?" or "my idea is crap compared to this one" or "I could totally do a 365 project!"

I'm gathering ideas and courage to start my own 365 journey. This part of it has been fun. I can imagine that the project itself will be fun too. I just need to get moving.

[O. Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm late in adding this to my "finished/read" category on the Goodreads site. I completed it 6 months ago. This DIY journal with creativity prompts by Noah Scalin was a tremendous help to me in further developing a comic character, Tigrikorn. I was at a point where I needed fresh inspiration and this book provided that abundantly. I recommend it for any creative project/theme -- whether visual, literary, musical or other. It actually took me two years to complete and I'm still mining the material that I made from following the prompts or, sometimes, opting to come up with my own ideas. I can't say enough good about it. See photos of my projects from the journal and journal pages.. As well as my write-up about it on Noah's blog.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un cuaderno con 365 actividades creativas para cada día. En cada una de ellas hay una breve explicación y un espacio, en dónde puedes añadir una fotografía con la actividad realizada.
Alguna de las actividades a realizar:
- preguntar a un extraño una sugerencia para realizar ése día
- Hacer un mapa de un sitio ficticio
- Mirar al cielo cuando el sol se pone e inspirado por ésto, realizar algo creativo
- Haz algo que no sea considerado bonito o achuchable
- Inventa un nuevo deporte y convence a otros para practicarlo conjuntamente
- Crea algo en dónde el olfato sea un componente esencial
- Haz una nube o algo inspirado en ella
- Haz algo transportable, que normalmente no lo sea
- Utiliza pasta de diente para tu creación
UN CUADERNO MUY SUGERENTE E INTERESANTE PARA DESARROLLAR NUESTRA CREATIVIDAD AL MÁXIMO, ESPECIALMENTE INDICADO PARA PERSONAS QUE AMEN LA CREACIÓN A VARIOS NIVELES, SINO ABSTENERSE.
IDEAL PARA TRABAJAR SIN PAUSA, PERO SIN PRISA..ASÍ EL RESULTADO SERÁ MEJOR.

[Morgan Parabola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good source for creative inspiration. To be honest there were a few I skipped over, but for the most part I've been sticking with it and found it to be really helpful for inspiring my creativity. Usually I go beyond the suggestion and end up with something I'm really proud of, other times I'm content to go a more simpler direction. Either way, loved this!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After not drawing or being creative for a few years I'm ready to get back on track. Lots of exciting ideas spinning through my head because of this book. I believe this book is great for anyone interested in tapping into their creative side.

[library lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It can be used as intended (one prompt each day for 365 days) or, as I use it, for a jump start for creativity when I am feeling crafty without a direction. It's a great book for anyone, creative or not.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Lots of ideas but I probably won't use any of them. I didn't find it that creative and was really hoping for art medium suggestions and how-to's instead of "Make something blue today. Make something with food today."

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great inspirational book! After reading through this and looking at Noah Scalin's own 365 project, Skull A Day, I have started my own 365 day project. http://sun-a-day.blogspot.com/

[Tiffiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will continue to go through this book for years - very inspiring!

[Marya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I had time to do a 365 project. This book really gets the creative side thinking.

[Mary Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. So inspiring...

Keeping it in my Kindle.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using this book to inspire a 365 challenge. So far I am finding it very helpful. I will be using it for the entire year and will probably update this review as the year progresses.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun creative ideas. I don't know if I'll ever get around to doing it myself--well, at least not until I retire, but I'm going to use this in my classroom.