Make to Know: From Spaces of Uncertainty to Creative Discovery

by Lorne M. Buchman

A journey through the minds of some of the most creative people on the planet reveals that creativity is rarely a “lightbulb moment” and instead arrives through a process of making and self-understanding. The creative process is winding. It involves entertaining uncertainty and improvising new paths to knowing. In this insightful and informed book, Lorne M. Buchman, an international leader in art and design education and president of ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, guides readers through stories of a diverse and talented group of artists, entrepreneurs, innovators, and designers. Including such luminaries as Yves Béhar, Chris Kraus, Zack Snyder, Paula Scher, and Frank Gehry and businesses like Apple and Tesla who have changed the world as we know it, Buchman focuses on the revelatory nature of the creative journey itself. Michelangelo is said to have seen the angel in the stone and carved away until he set him free. Make to Know is about making as a path to knowing―presenting creativity as a “carving away” toward a revelation, not as a fully formed epiphany gleaned from a mysterious ether. As Buchman reveals throughout this provocative book, uncertainty is the space where discovery happens and where creators can be both playful and imaginative. Whether you’re an artist, designer, writer, daydreamer, or doodler, anyone can learn from these lessons on the varied paths to self-expression. 38 illustrations

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 12, 2021

Reviews

[Melissa Balaban · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must a read for anyone who engages in creating literally anything. Beautifully written and resonant.

[Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting approach on creative thinking. While it is not a completely novel framwork the presentation and examples are excellent. They drive home the points by providing a diverse context of usage.

Absolutely loved the authors used an example of people in a roller rink / ice rink. Was able to use the idea on a program I am currently managing.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some really interesting ideas in this book that could have a wide application. The first half of the book introduced the ideas of what it means to make to know. The read just talked about different areas of creation where people do this naturally. I lost interest in the second half.

[Iza C]

I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know from this book, but it was very enjoyable and time well spent regardless

[Ayodeji Alaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experimenting reflectively with LM's Make to Know as research practice, teaching-practice, and professional practice.

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a simple concept, really - makers can only get so far without making, the act of making is when the real productivity begins. The author discusses this maker philosophy in the context of design, art, architecture, theater and music. Very interesting, some of the most content rich perspectives I’ve read so far about design, as a way to better understand the monster of design. Lots of posties.