You Need a Manifesto: How to Craft Your Convictions and Put Them to Work

by Charlotte Burgess-Auburn, Stanford d.school

An essential how-to for crafting a guiding motto that sets intentions, increases creativity, and helps accomplish your goals, from Stanford University’s world-renowned Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, aka the d.school.

We all need agency to feel the power and joy of acting in the face of challenge and opportunity. But we also need humility and restraint to ensure that we guard against hubris and harm. We need trusted and testable navigation tools to give us confidence in our creative power and cautiousness in carrying out our work. Instead of looking for answers, what we are all seeking are tools for navigating the increasingly complex, noisy, conflicted culture that we inhabit. A personal manifesto is one of those tools.

In You Need a Manifesto, Charlotte Burgess-Auburn, the d.school’s director of community, first defines the challenges of information overload we all experience today. Then she explains the importance of creating a personal mantra or motto to use in the face of daily tasks and roadblocks, walking you through the steps of creating more purpose in your work.

Explanations and hands-on design-based exercises are interwoven with vibrant quotes and excerpts from a curated collection of designers, artists, writers, scientists, and social activists. These quotes serve both as inspiration and material for the activities.

Each chapter of the book is also preceded by a graphic by artist and letterpress printer Rick Griffith, who created his illustrations in response to the material in each chapter, to guide and inspire you to see what you can produce for yourself.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Writing, Business

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

d.school books are best treated as thought starters. I was a little surprised at how self-referential this one was though. Some interesting exercises. I would have appreciated more concrete examples.

[Héctor Iván Patricio Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro propone hacer una declaración de tus creencias y de las cosas que te definen y te mueven. Te da un proceso que sentí un poco difuso en la forma en la que lo describieron en el libro, porque deja muchos cabos sueltos y cosas al aire.

Otra cosa que me llama la atención es que dice que tu Manifiesto es temporal y que debes estarlo renovando muy constantemente, así que para mi eso le quita la naturaleza de un manifiesto en el sentido común de la palabra.

Sin embargo, creo que el espíritu de lo que propone es valioso: examínate, inspírate en otros y deja claras tus creencias en algún medio semi-permanente que te recuerde constantemente (o cuando lo necesites) el porqué de tus acciones.

Además, este manifiesto lo puedes usar para unir grupos o crear un objetivo común. La parte que más me gustó como propuesta de cómo usar el manifiesto es la propuesta de usarlo para integrar nuevos conocimientos. Cada que aprendes algo puedes preguntarte: "¿Cómo modifica esto mi manera de pensar? ¿Cómo lo puedo integrar con mis demás creencias y frameworks de pensamiento?"

Espero poder aplicar esto por lo menos parcialmente, ya que no me quedó completamente claro el proceso y siento que al ser un libro que puede ser tan práctico, le faltaron ejemplos.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Need A Manifesto is my favourite of the d.School Guides that I have read so far. If you are interested in directing your creativity, narrowing down your vision or just putting into writing your thoughts about your future, I highly recommend You Need A Manifesto.

This book guides readers through what a manifesto is, why it is important and useful and how to go about creating one. With practical activities to help you write a manifesto, it steps you through identifying the values and ethics that should underpin your manifesto, finding inspiration from others, and reflecting on your ideas.

Each of the Stanford d.School Guides is beautifully designed. It should come as no surprise, given they are the d.School, but I can still express appreciation for the clever layouts, text call-outs, fold out pages, beautiful colours and matching cover. The small size isn’t great for the school library shelf, but when I’ve got all ten sitting next to each other, they are eye catching. Visually appealing, easy to read, inspiring and action-orientated. A great book for students, creatives, leaders, entrepreneurs.

[AcademicEditor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a society saturated with information and distractions, it's easy to lose sight of our true intentions and creative potential. Burgess-Auburn begins by addressing the issue of information overload. She highlights the importance of having a personal mantra or motto to guide us through the maze of daily tasks and obstacles, allowing us to work with greater purpose and intention.

The book's strength lies in its practical approach, which combines explanations and hands-on design-based exercises. These exercises encourage readers to actively engage with the content and take the necessary steps to craft their own manifestos. It's a process that fosters self-discovery and empowers individuals to clarify their beliefs, values, and goals.

While "You Need a Manifesto" primarily focuses on the individual's quest for self-empowerment and purpose, its lessons can be applied in a broader context, benefiting anyone seeking clarity and direction in an ever-evolving world.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slim little book got me amped up and excited. It was just what I needed.

I was afraid it would be too corporate, and too design bro-y (the last design bro-y book I read was terrible). It wasn't at all (and unlike that other book, this one was actually readable in all sorts of light!).

At the same time... The writing felt a bit uneven. There were some great exercises in the book, but then other parts had no exercises at all, and I thought they should have. For example, instead of just saying, "Think about your ethics," I would have liked an exercise on explicitly figuring out and stating one's ethics.

Still, a quick, good read.

[Sean Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using a design perspective, this book gives direction on defining yourself and your goals by creating a physical manifesto. As a writer, I understand the importance of putting words onto the page rather than letting them just bounce around in your head. I have already done similar manifesto work and believe that it is a helpful tool in helping achieve goals and for "reprogramming" the mind.

[Brianna Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I do not care for the message behind this book nor the way it's phrased but it gets two stars because it made me think about why I create.

No you do not need a manifesto.

But maybe it doesn't hurt to think about *why* you do, sometimes.

But not all the time.

Also I was forced to read this so that didn't help...

[Estefania Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this book and it called my attention, I did not know it was exactly what I needed. Worth the read.

[Joe Tripp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally landed for me. I love that this book is all about context and creates the space to recreate meaning.

[Lee Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A modern manifesto is a statement of purpose and a script for action.“ This is a powerful methodology—and beautifully designed book. Very inspirational!

[Britt · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF about half way through

[Lisa Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars. Part of a 10 book series. Liked the practicality. Meant to be a hands on companion to real work. Looking forward to the others

Hardcopy

[Ryan Trauman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be more fun or inspiring or how-to. It's just very basic with quite a bit of fluff to make it substantial enough for a small book.