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Creative Zing!: Spark Your Creativity — and Powerfully Present Your Ideas!
This invigorating and enlightening handbook shows you how to generate more and better ideas AND how to present and sell those ideas to decision makers.
“An eye-opening guidebook for someone just starting out on the way to a meaningful creative life or someone who wants to find their way back to one.”
- Brian Collins
Founder of COLLINS design consultancy and a Fast Company Master of Design
“Fire up your creativity today—and use this book as your spark.”
- Daniel Pink
Author of When and Drive
Through his talks and coaching, books and articles, Sam Harrison has helped and inspired thousands of designers, marketers, PR people, communicators, teachers, students, business leaders and other creative professionals.
Harrison now brings together a fresh collection of his real-world tips, tools and action steps in a concise, inviting book so readers can have more ideas and get those ideas approved by bosses and clients.
Creativity is inherent in all people, but it’s often suppressed by external and internal factors. Harrison says that’s why individuals and teams too often wind up in the Zombie Zone of boredom and weak ideas or in the Zigzag Zone of confusion and non-productive ideas.
This book guides people out of those zones and into a Zing Zone of strong, consistent ideas—and effective presentations of those ideas. By thriving in a creative Zing Zone, readers will have a more imaginative, fulfilling life.
The book’s powerful content is presented as digestible, single-page messages, perfect for busy, on-the-go people in today’s media-saturated world. There’s no fluff to lumber through—just quick-hitting, how-to suggestions, quotes and examples readers can start using the very next day.
“Creative resources are inside us,” writes Harrison, “but to stay creative we have to practice daily creative habits. And to get ideas approved, we have to polish presentation skills. This book shows you how.”
“An eye-opening guidebook for someone just starting out on the way to a meaningful creative life or someone who wants to find their way back to one.”
- Brian Collins
Founder of COLLINS design consultancy and a Fast Company Master of Design
“Fire up your creativity today—and use this book as your spark.”
- Daniel Pink
Author of When and Drive
Through his talks and coaching, books and articles, Sam Harrison has helped and inspired thousands of designers, marketers, PR people, communicators, teachers, students, business leaders and other creative professionals.
Harrison now brings together a fresh collection of his real-world tips, tools and action steps in a concise, inviting book so readers can have more ideas and get those ideas approved by bosses and clients.
Creativity is inherent in all people, but it’s often suppressed by external and internal factors. Harrison says that’s why individuals and teams too often wind up in the Zombie Zone of boredom and weak ideas or in the Zigzag Zone of confusion and non-productive ideas.
This book guides people out of those zones and into a Zing Zone of strong, consistent ideas—and effective presentations of those ideas. By thriving in a creative Zing Zone, readers will have a more imaginative, fulfilling life.
The book’s powerful content is presented as digestible, single-page messages, perfect for busy, on-the-go people in today’s media-saturated world. There’s no fluff to lumber through—just quick-hitting, how-to suggestions, quotes and examples readers can start using the very next day.
“Creative resources are inside us,” writes Harrison, “but to stay creative we have to practice daily creative habits. And to get ideas approved, we have to polish presentation skills. This book shows you how.”
- GenresNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2020
1 person is currently reading
933 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 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 17, 2020
The book is nice and inspiring, helps to boost creativity and confidence. There are multiple examples of application of suggested ideas and tools, actions to be taken. I think the most important learning is connected to acting and believing in oneself. The only person who can stop creativity is you, nobody and nothing else can.
February 9, 2020
I couldn't help but smile at the comparison between a nutritionist and the popularity of soft, gooiy and fast foods amongst consumers and the popularity amongst some bosses and clients of soft, gooiy and fast ideas, (eg: no/low risk, self-serving and where no time is allowed to adopt a process that will deliver the best ideas, the ones that are the most likely to deliver, that have the best chance of being effective).
In our business, we do our best to work with clients who do appreciate the effort that goes into creating something remarkable. I was encouraged to read that behaviours such as laughter, spirited conversations, messiness and doodling are an indication that we are getting it right.. It’s both affirming and encouraging.
I love that the author describes a creative process in detail while keeping the thoughts bite-sized (1 page for each). It makes complete sense and depending on where you are needing some inspiration or direction, you can dive into that specific section. The sections are; Explore, Experiment, Exhale, Examine, Express. (He does also emphasise that the process is just one way, not the only way to work)
Having a key role in marketing for 40 years much of the content had me nodding, it was familiar. But there were new thoughts and I have found a few new things for me to try out. I definitely intend to dig deeper into Creative Zing as I journey through my next creative project.
With thanks to #NetGalley, Independent Publishers Group and the author for my free advanced reader copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.
In our business, we do our best to work with clients who do appreciate the effort that goes into creating something remarkable. I was encouraged to read that behaviours such as laughter, spirited conversations, messiness and doodling are an indication that we are getting it right.. It’s both affirming and encouraging.
I love that the author describes a creative process in detail while keeping the thoughts bite-sized (1 page for each). It makes complete sense and depending on where you are needing some inspiration or direction, you can dive into that specific section. The sections are; Explore, Experiment, Exhale, Examine, Express. (He does also emphasise that the process is just one way, not the only way to work)
Having a key role in marketing for 40 years much of the content had me nodding, it was familiar. But there were new thoughts and I have found a few new things for me to try out. I definitely intend to dig deeper into Creative Zing as I journey through my next creative project.
With thanks to #NetGalley, Independent Publishers Group and the author for my free advanced reader copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.
March 29, 2020
“So to stay creative, we have to practice creative habits. And that’s the purpose of this book. It’s all about creative performance. Here you’ll find suggestions and examples to fill your life with Creative Zing!” - From Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison
Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison is a book full of creative practices, it’s inspiring and intelligent. Based on extensive research, it expands five simple and easy-to-remember concepts:
Explore
Experiment
Exhale
Examine
Express
Explore dives into how to go past the obvious to the original ideas, finding the remarkable ones. The book has exercises to open you mind, reassurances on exploring the radical and resources for when you feel stumped.
“With “unsafe ideas,” I’m not referring to careless ideas, but rather to inspiring, forward-thinking ideas that stretch out of comfort zones. And with “safe habitats,” I’m not suggesting sterile, stale environments but rather workplaces where people feel safe experimenting, voicing opinions and occasionally making mistakes.” - From Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison
Experiment looks at how to evaluate these ideas without squashing them. He talks about the importance of experimenting to find out what truly can and can’t work. Again, there are a lot of exercises and inspirational stories to encourage the reader.
Exhale is my favourite chapter. Working in marketing, creativity is a part of my daily life and I forget to pause, breathe and let the ideas percolate. His exercises are helpful and insightful.
“Pausing is also an important intermission between generating ideas and examining those ideas. Exhaling gives space for the subconscious to spring into action.” - From Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison
I also appreciated the boundaries chapter where Sam unpacks why they are essential and helpful in creativity rather than constraining.
“Musician and composer Quincy Jones had the benefit of a similar dictum early in his career. His composition teacher, Nadia Boulanger, said to him, “The more boundaries you set, the more freedom you have.” - From Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison
Express illustrates how best to present your ideas to investors and the marketplace and it’s full of great tips!
Whilst I read this straight through, this book is also designed to be a reference book, one of those you can pick up and put down as and when you need it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it beneficial for our creative process. I highly recommend it, it’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale.
Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison is a book full of creative practices, it’s inspiring and intelligent. Based on extensive research, it expands five simple and easy-to-remember concepts:
Explore
Experiment
Exhale
Examine
Express
Explore dives into how to go past the obvious to the original ideas, finding the remarkable ones. The book has exercises to open you mind, reassurances on exploring the radical and resources for when you feel stumped.
“With “unsafe ideas,” I’m not referring to careless ideas, but rather to inspiring, forward-thinking ideas that stretch out of comfort zones. And with “safe habitats,” I’m not suggesting sterile, stale environments but rather workplaces where people feel safe experimenting, voicing opinions and occasionally making mistakes.” - From Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison
Experiment looks at how to evaluate these ideas without squashing them. He talks about the importance of experimenting to find out what truly can and can’t work. Again, there are a lot of exercises and inspirational stories to encourage the reader.
Exhale is my favourite chapter. Working in marketing, creativity is a part of my daily life and I forget to pause, breathe and let the ideas percolate. His exercises are helpful and insightful.
“Pausing is also an important intermission between generating ideas and examining those ideas. Exhaling gives space for the subconscious to spring into action.” - From Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison
I also appreciated the boundaries chapter where Sam unpacks why they are essential and helpful in creativity rather than constraining.
“Musician and composer Quincy Jones had the benefit of a similar dictum early in his career. His composition teacher, Nadia Boulanger, said to him, “The more boundaries you set, the more freedom you have.” - From Creative Zing! by Sam Harrison
Express illustrates how best to present your ideas to investors and the marketplace and it’s full of great tips!
Whilst I read this straight through, this book is also designed to be a reference book, one of those you can pick up and put down as and when you need it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it beneficial for our creative process. I highly recommend it, it’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale.
May 18, 2020
Picked it up because of ideaspotting book. This is more a mash of quips, quotes and quizzes that a book. Very quick read. If you are very new to creative thinking, this might be a decent introduction.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews