Limit Yourself: And Unleash Your Creativity

by Ralph Burkhardt

Telling yourself you have all the time, all the resources and all the money in the world just kills creativity and self–discipline. Why not try to limit yourself and unleash your creativity!

Designer and advertiser Ralph Burkhardt has put together this inspirational pocket book, with a proven method that can help you tap into your creative and business potential and, above all, get results. Replete with quotes, checklists, cool illustrations and encouraging words, this little book packs a punch, revealing the simplest and most effective way to tap into your creative genius and set goals. A great tool to pass around during brainstorming meetings with colleagues, or to keep handy on your desk at work.


Limit Yourself and Unleash Your Creativity

What, why, who?

ABOUT CREATIVITY
What is creativity?
Everyone can be creative!
The true creative myth
The creative process
Reflect on your creativity
Think inside the box
ABOUT LIMITATIONS
'Limitation' might sound like a bad word
Who needs limitations?
What kind of limitations are there?
What limitations can do for you
What you need to bring
Who's afraid of the blank page?
The creative trajectory
Why total freedom doesn't liberate
Creative boundaries
Ready, mindset, go!
01 LIMITATIONS OF TIME
Learn to love deadlines
Make better use of your time
The five–minute time limit
One painting / poster / logo / lettering a day
02 LIMITATIONS OF RESOURCES
How to deal with a limited budget
Improvisation = innovation
Exploration through limitation
03 LIMITATIONS OF DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Refine your colour palette
Limit your typefaces
Why Frank Gehry loves limitations
Music at the limits
04 LIMITATIONS OF A BRIEF
'Do whatever you like!'
Discovering the client's needs
Just don't do it
What to learn from Dr. Seuss
05 LIMITATIONS OF MEDIUM
What is minimalism?
How to simplify and intensify
Maximum meaning, minimum means!
Embracing technical limitations
Use your digits!
06 LIMITATIONS OF SKILLS
Maintain momentum
Team up with others
Try random limitations
Harness someone else's creativity
07 LIMITATIONS OF SPACE
Size does matter!
Decide what's important
Do it 'Like a Rolling Stone'
The ultimate limitation scale
FINAL THOUGHTS
Take the first step!
What to do with immutable limitations
A generation of demands
Limited to only one world
Credits / Bibliography / Thanks

Genres: Design

128 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Arnas Račkauskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing! As a person who recently faced some constraints in my work processes, I can say that this book opend my mind and connected the dots of the why and how of limitation principle.

[Marius CEO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved every page, every wink and every nudge. A fun, quick read that deserves a place on your coffee table.

[Sushmita Pedaprolu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This super-short book is based on the premise that what we think is restriction to creativity is actually freedom. I, like amateur creative folks, started out as a copywriter thinking that if only briefs had NO restrictions, my creativity would have aky rocketed. After spending nearly a decade in this profession, I have realised that limits are important and without them, it's mighty difficult to even get started. Imagine someone telling you to do any campaign on anything and while it's good to do it once in a while, after a point, it will get chaotic because choosing is exhausting. Having limits helps you focus and the more restrictive something is, the more it will test your creativity. Found this at the Title Waves Bookstore, Bandra, all thanks to my friend and finished this in half an hour.

[Depolarized · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, but a powerful one. I get the sense that this book is more intended for graphic designers; however, I think the message transcends most professions. Limit yourself and you will be more creative.

[Brisset Chahuayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening!
It forced me understand that "limitations" are not always a barrier but an opportunity to develop something out of the usual; to be creative.

Highly recommend for people who want to learn a different perspective about "limitations"