Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives

by Adam J. Kurtz, Grace Bonney (Foreword)

Insights and inspiration for anyone who makes art (or anything else) from someone who's been there (and maybe still is).From the creative mind and heart of designer Adam J. Kurtz comes this upbeat rallying cry for creators of all stripes. Expanding on a series of popular essays, this handwritten and heartfelt book shares wisdom and empathy from one working artist to others in his signature empathetic, vulnerable, inclusive, and conversational. Perforated tear-and-share pages make it easy to display the most crucial reminders or to pass a bit of advice on to someone who needs it.As wry and cheeky as it is empathic and empowering, this deceptively simple, vibrantly full-color book will be a touchstone for writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else who wants to be more creative--even when it would be easier to give up and act normal.The Ultimate BuzzFeed Books Gift  "Pursuing art in all its forms, whether professionally or not, requires so much resilience and faith. Adam J. Kurtz's Things Are What You Make of Them is full of pick-me-ups and reminders that you are more than your self-doubt, and certainly you aren't alone in them."

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Art, Design, Writing, Business, Creative

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2017

About the author

Adam J. Kurtz (aka @adamjk) is an artist and author whose illustrative work is rooted in honesty, humor and a little darkness. His books have been translated into over a dozen languages and his work has been featured in the New Yorker, VICE, Adweek and more.

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Reviews

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wrote this book i think it is very nice i like that the author doesn't try to act like he's the expert or better than anybody else, he's just really honest about what life is like for people who try to make things. <3 also he seems very handsome and tall <3

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of pretty much everything Adam does, so I'll admit that I went into this expecting I'd like it, but it was even better than I expected. As he always does, Adam provides the perfect mix of wit and inspiration. If you're a creative person (or just a person in general...), you'll wanna read this book!

[Emma Sea · Rating 2 out of 5]

very very short. these were probably more awesome in their original blog form than as a book

[Marianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

(ARC from publisher)

I found the advice mostly obvious, and the voice a bit too jargon-y/commercial-art-y for my tastes. YMMV. But since what I want from self-help-y books is novel insight and/or eloquent prose, I wasn't thrilled with this one.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just what I needed because I realized a while ago that I was becoming a negative person overcome by all the bad things happening around me and in the world. It was hard to see the goodness day-to-day and I did not like the person I was becoming. I have been practicing re-framing and my life is looking a whole lot more positive. This book was the perfect companion to my new outlook on life. I loved it cover to cover and have reread it several times, took notes and shared it with those hold most dear. This is a must to kick start a more positive outlook on life and will certainly make your days so much better! LOVED THIS BOOK!

[Thị Lệ Gạo Đen · Rating 4 out of 5]

[REVIEW SÁCH]
SÁNG TẠI VÔ BIÊN PHẢI ĐIÊN MỚI CHẤT – ADAM J.KURTZ
Một cuốn selfhelp điển hình cho dân làm sáng tạo, mình được sếp lì xì cuốn sách này dịp đầu năm nay, và nó khá mỏng nên mình đọc 1 lèo hết luôn.
Làm sáng tạo, nếu các bạn còn mù mờ thì chính là những người làm các mảng cần sáng tạo ý tưởng kiểu Design, R&D, Youtubers, Artist, ... miễn là họ luôn phải làm ra cái gì đó mới mẻ. Cuốn sách này là dành cho họ.
Ở trong này sẽ có những điều dân làm sáng tạo cần biết như “Làm thế nào để bắt đầu?” “Làm gì khi thất bại?” “8 điều dân làm sáng tạo nên biết” với những tips hay ho có thể ứng dụng trong công việc í. Ngoài ra nó còn đề cập những vấn đề điển hình mà người làm sáng tạo CHẮC CHẮN sẽ gặp phải, kiểu như việc so sánh mình với đồng nghiệp (hoặc người cùng làm mảng tương tự với mình), làm việc với bạn bè người thân thì nên làm thế nào, làm việc tại nhà sao cho hiệu quả, làm gì khi mình chưa ưng sản phẩm cuối cùng của mình?! Mỗi mục lớn sẽ có những gạch đầu dòng nhỏ, và mỗi gạch đầu dòng đó sẽ có những câu chỉ dẫn ngắn gọn cho chúng mình làm theo.
Cá nhân mình thì thích cuốn này đầu tiên là ở mặt thiết kế: màu sắc sặc sỡ rất truyền cảm hứng, nhìn đã thấy muốn đọc. Chỉ dẫn rất ngắn gọn, đọc rất nhanh và mình cũng biết thêm những điều khá quan trọng trong việc làm sáng tạo. Mỗi tội chỉ dẫn ngắn gọn quá lại còn không có ví dụ dẫn chứng cụ thể nên nhiều khi mông lung vl, kiểu qua loa quá, nó chưa “tới” ấy. Mình đã hy vọng nó sẽ đào sâu hơn một chút cho mỗi mục, để người đọc hiểu rõ ràng ngọn ngành hơn vấn đề và cách giải quyết nó. Nhưng cuốn này thì nó gần như một cuốn tiêu ngữ tổng hợp ý, mang đúng tính chất “kêu gọi” người đọc hãy làm cái này cái kia theo kiểu người đọc họ đã biết làm những cái đó rồi ấy. Thế nên nó chưa đủ với mình.
Tuy nhiên mình cũng khá ấn tượng vì cuốn sách này có ngôn ngữ khá “ngông” :3 đúng kiểu dân sáng tạo bất cần đời ấy mà.
Đánh giá: 3,75/5. Nó sẽ giúp ích cho công việc của mình nhiều đấy, nhất là những lúc chán hoặc bí ý tưởng. Ổn phết.
#2minutesbookreview #bookstagramvn #bookstagram #bookreview #sángtạovôbiênphảiđiênmớichất #sangtaovobienphaidienmoichat #thingsarewhatyoumakeofthem #adamjkurtz #bookreviewvn #bookstagramvietnam #books #thilenghiensach

[Mugren Ohaly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Creativity “self-help” books are the new poetry anthology, everyone is writing one and they’re almost all the same regurgitated crap.

Plus, the author gave his own book a 5-star review and obviously thinks way too highly of himself.

[Britt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book to have in your collection as a reminder and motivation aid, but there is nothing ground breaking or profound here.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always read a creative self-help zine thingie at the beginning of the year as a recharge. Some good stuff and delightfully messy.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes, some of us, maybe, possibly, talk about doing things & then don't do them. Hold yourself accountable for your fresh start. Don't let planning the thing trick your brain into thinking you've done it."

There are lessons we've known by heart for years and end up forgetting when needed the most due to frustration. "Things Are What You Make of Them" by Adam J. Kurtz is the perfect companion for those moments when the 'end of all things' seems ominously inevitable.

Straightforward yet thought-provoking, upbeat yet realistic, it's the kind of book one should have within reach at all times. The fact that it's visually appealing, and quite uplifting, doesn't hurt either. We can do this!

[Nikita Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me more than 1 sitting to read this book because I wanted to SAVOUR IT....

[Mallika Mahidhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and effective.

[Kaylea · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the exhausted full-time employee and full-time passionate.

I was in love with this quick and witty read. After a year slump with my art I'm fjnally getting back into the swing of things but in the process, juggling a full-time day job (with a lot of extra overtime). I admit sometimes I struggle getting caught up with housework trying to develop my own business plans and not crash on the couch after the 9-5-. This is literally the perfect pick me up for any Creative I know!!! Especially on the days where you rather just tAke a nap and eat all your insecurities of your craft away.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book but it didn’t provide any new insights or nuggets of wisdom (for me). I wouldn’t discourage anyone from readying it as it’s a rather sweet, quick read, I just wish the author dug a bit deeper. He would make a point and then jump to the next topic barely scratching the surface. Maybe I was expecting the wrong thing?

On another note, the design is absolutely delightful and makes a great piece to have out for guests to flip through.

[Dita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and Adam J. Kurts illustrations are personal to me, in a way that I think we are all meant to be. I know, this is nonsense.

Non-related review of this book, when I went to pick up this book at the local bookstore, there was a book party on cocktail recipe books. I ended up drinking glasses of delicious salted watermelon cocktail and went home all smily.

Everything is going to be great.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because a teacher I respect recommended it- and it was not at the libraries in B'more....so I used ILL to track it down. SO GLAD, I did not buy it....

This is the type of book they sell at a college bookstore or a chain stationery store....full of cute little "commands" with jazzy fun colors and handwriting. No meat, nothing really helpful.

Read....it isn't worth the energy of opening the cover to get to the first page.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was filled with cute, colorful, and uplifting blurbs and words of wisdom for creatives. It's the sort of book you can flip through every now and then when you need to refocus. The pages are all perforated so you can tear out the musings that truly speak you if you like and paste them around your house, journal, etc, through I'll be keeping it as is and looking back into it often when I need to motivate myself or overcome a work slump. It's geared towards artists, though it applies to anyone in the creative field.

[The King of Clouds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es el primer libro que leo de Adam y se sintió bastante familiar. Parecía uno de los sermones que me doy a mi mismo todos los días, eso me encantó.

Aunque el libro es bastante sincero no pasa la línea de lo desagradable, se mantiene mucho en la familiaridad y sientes que hablas con un amigo.

Un libro corto que te permite entender cosas que pasan adentro y afuera de ti, que te hace entender que el éxito es subjetivo y que aunque es más fácil para unos que para otros el esfuerzo y el trabajo inteligente te pueden llevar a hacer grandes cosas.

Espero leer más de Adam en algún punto.

[That One Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and effective!
As I embark on my journey to write the first draft of my first novel, I revisited this quick self-help book I bought several years ago. Just as it die then, it helped me feel inspired and realistic about my writing goals this year.

I like that this book isn’t too serious or over complicated. It’s not filled with pages and pages of advice l, but rather, a realistic and accessible group of lists that you can apply to your process.

I’ll keep this near me throughout the year to revisit as I embark on my creative journey.

[Alexis Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one didn't quite resonate with me as much as Austin Kleon's similar books, but I definitely recommend it as a quick and energizing pep talk for creatives who feel stuck. It'll get the wheels moving again. :-)

[Tim Belonax · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d recommend this little book as a gift to any recent graduate or someone that’s just hit their 3-year mark in their creative career.

The wit of the book helps its wisdom go down smoother. Bravo, Adam.

[Anya Toomre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pithy useful advice but easy to have go in one ear and out the other. I would retain the suggestions better if I had a challenge on hand to solve and made specific choices based on the suggestions of ways to approach things, and wrote my answers down.

[Weronika Zimna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was absolutely delightful and exactly what I needed.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. What it says on the tin.

[Baber Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

The texture its been written in is s9 attractive. Secondly the messages are breif and short so one does not find it boring or long so i would prefer it if you are just starting reading.

[Pamela Mancilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro no es para mí, pero lo leí y es bien bonito :)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic. Not just for creatives.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good life advice for any humans doing anything!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. Some of the advice is obvious, some of it isn't. Either way they're nice reminders and applicable to a lot of things beyond just starting your own (creative) business or side hustle. The book is deceptively short and has a lot of information to digest. I think it might be one better for "coffee table" style browsing than reading once.

[Fernando Paladini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nada demais além de algumas frases de efeito fracas e manjadas. Como artista, praticamente não me ajudou.