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Mess: The Manual of Accidents and Mistakes
From the internationally bestselling creator of Wreck This Journal , a book that celebrates mistake- and mess-making like never before...
Your whole life, you’ve been taught to avoid making a mess: try to keep everything under control, color inside the lines, make it perfect, and at all costs, avoid contact with things that stain.
This book asks you to do the opposite of what you have been taught. Think of it as your own personal rumpus room. A place to let loose, to trash, to spew, to do the things you are not allowed to do in the “real world.”
There are only three rules you will find in this book:
1. Do not try to make something beautiful.
2. Do not think too much. (There is no “wrong.”)
3. Continue under all circumstances.
It's time to make a mess.
Your whole life, you’ve been taught to avoid making a mess: try to keep everything under control, color inside the lines, make it perfect, and at all costs, avoid contact with things that stain.
This book asks you to do the opposite of what you have been taught. Think of it as your own personal rumpus room. A place to let loose, to trash, to spew, to do the things you are not allowed to do in the “real world.”
There are only three rules you will find in this book:
1. Do not try to make something beautiful.
2. Do not think too much. (There is no “wrong.”)
3. Continue under all circumstances.
It's time to make a mess.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2010
67 people are currently reading
3333 people want to read
About the author
Keri Smith
58 books1,851 followersKeri Smith is an author/illustrator turned guerilla artist. She has several bestselling books, including Wreck This Journal, This is Not a Book, How To Be An Explorer of the World, Mess, Finish this Book, and The Wander Society all published by Penguin Books. Read more at her website http://WWW.KERISMITH.COM
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 20, 2016
I'm a perfectionist, and this book literally drove me crazy.
December 9, 2020
This isn't a book, it's an art manual. But it's not a guide on how to make art. It's a guide on how to make a mess.
I bought this because I hate making mistakes and thought the exercises might help me let go of my perfectionism, that fear that I might ruin something by adding too much to it or working on it too long. I didn't want to learn what happened if you buried a book in the ground for three days and then dug it up, or put something moldy inside it, or dipped it into some Jell-O. I can live without knowing that. So I skipped the prompts that would inevitably lead to mold, and the ones that required outside resources like cameras or friends, and the physical ones that wanted you to do everything with your non-dominant hand for a day or "lose your balance and attempt to record it in some way" as my life is already physically challenging enough as it is without adding extra difficulty, thanks. But I learned I like gluing things to other things, which makes sense given my interest in collage, and that oil pastels over Sharpie looks pretty awesome, which I never would have tried on my own, and that I hate strangers telling me what to do, which I already knew.
Keri Smith has a number of books in this vein. Check them out if you're looking for someone to tell you it's okay to make a mess, or a mistake, or just need permission to experiment, to use your art supplies in ways that you might otherwise consider wasteful, except now it's part of a learning process so it's okay.
My favorite two experiments—and outcomes—were:
1. Painting a page with Elmer's glue and then pressing a bunch of shredded paper (from the paper shredder) into it and then slamming the book closed.
2. Covering a page with gesso and then sprinkling the contents of my pencil sharpener over it—except I'd picked out the wood, leaving only the shavings of the colored cores from my colored pencils. It's bright and cheerful, and on the facing page, the core shavings leave little squiggles of color.
This is about experiments and mixing media and not worrying about the outcome being good, or interesting, or attractive, or even successful. If you've made a mess, you've done your job. If you've learned something in the process, even better.
I bought this because I hate making mistakes and thought the exercises might help me let go of my perfectionism, that fear that I might ruin something by adding too much to it or working on it too long. I didn't want to learn what happened if you buried a book in the ground for three days and then dug it up, or put something moldy inside it, or dipped it into some Jell-O. I can live without knowing that. So I skipped the prompts that would inevitably lead to mold, and the ones that required outside resources like cameras or friends, and the physical ones that wanted you to do everything with your non-dominant hand for a day or "lose your balance and attempt to record it in some way" as my life is already physically challenging enough as it is without adding extra difficulty, thanks. But I learned I like gluing things to other things, which makes sense given my interest in collage, and that oil pastels over Sharpie looks pretty awesome, which I never would have tried on my own, and that I hate strangers telling me what to do, which I already knew.
Keri Smith has a number of books in this vein. Check them out if you're looking for someone to tell you it's okay to make a mess, or a mistake, or just need permission to experiment, to use your art supplies in ways that you might otherwise consider wasteful, except now it's part of a learning process so it's okay.
My favorite two experiments—and outcomes—were:
1. Painting a page with Elmer's glue and then pressing a bunch of shredded paper (from the paper shredder) into it and then slamming the book closed.
2. Covering a page with gesso and then sprinkling the contents of my pencil sharpener over it—except I'd picked out the wood, leaving only the shavings of the colored cores from my colored pencils. It's bright and cheerful, and on the facing page, the core shavings leave little squiggles of color.
This is about experiments and mixing media and not worrying about the outcome being good, or interesting, or attractive, or even successful. If you've made a mess, you've done your job. If you've learned something in the process, even better.
February 14, 2012
I always think too hard and try to be perfect. This book liberates me to be all I can be.
Read
November 29, 2013Intentionally defacing and maiming a book - isn't that sacrilege?
Some people cringe at the sight of dog-eared pages. Others are flat-out horrified that books are cut up or burned for visual art. We all have our individual boundaries.
What about a book that is made to be crumpled, cut up, scribbled in, stomped on, dripped on and flung from high places? Even with such permission, could you bring yourself to do any of these things?
I put myself to the test with 'Mess' by Keri Smith. The entire purpose of the book is to make a mess and cast aside every boundary you have when it comes to battering books.
Here is my own introduction which I wrote inside the book:
Improvisation makes me nervous but playing it safe only stifles your creativity. If you want to accomplish something, you have to embrace imperfection. Over the years, I've been needing a book like this, trying to create one myself...but I play things too neat. I want to be the creator whom can can can do something right and impress and inspire. Now I want to create and enjoy. I want to experiment and I want most of all to have fun.
Have fun I did.
There are still pages and pages of this book that remain untouched. They seem unnatural to me in their state. I look forward to rectifying that situation.
'Mess' is a book I would recommend to anyone who feels stifled in their creativity. It is very freeing to let loose and you never know what may come of it.
(From my blog: Quill Café)
In accordance with the FTC, I would like to disclose that I purchased this book. The opinions expressed are mine and no monetary compensation was offered to me by the author or publisher.
Some people cringe at the sight of dog-eared pages. Others are flat-out horrified that books are cut up or burned for visual art. We all have our individual boundaries.
What about a book that is made to be crumpled, cut up, scribbled in, stomped on, dripped on and flung from high places? Even with such permission, could you bring yourself to do any of these things?
I put myself to the test with 'Mess' by Keri Smith. The entire purpose of the book is to make a mess and cast aside every boundary you have when it comes to battering books.
Here is my own introduction which I wrote inside the book:
Improvisation makes me nervous but playing it safe only stifles your creativity. If you want to accomplish something, you have to embrace imperfection. Over the years, I've been needing a book like this, trying to create one myself...but I play things too neat. I want to be the creator whom can can can do something right and impress and inspire. Now I want to create and enjoy. I want to experiment and I want most of all to have fun.
Have fun I did.
There are still pages and pages of this book that remain untouched. They seem unnatural to me in their state. I look forward to rectifying that situation.
'Mess' is a book I would recommend to anyone who feels stifled in their creativity. It is very freeing to let loose and you never know what may come of it.
(From my blog: Quill Café)
In accordance with the FTC, I would like to disclose that I purchased this book. The opinions expressed are mine and no monetary compensation was offered to me by the author or publisher.
Read
August 3, 2015Čurbes první den v práci po dovolené... jak jinak, žejo :D
July 21, 2016
"Mess" is one of these books that sounds like a good idea but is just not as much fun once you get to the exercises. When it comes to it, I'd rather create my own mess than have to deal with someone else's idea of one.
May 19, 2021
This may be useful to artists or people who are trying to "break out" of their current rut in life. I only finished about the first quarter of the book. It took far to long to clean up the messes, even when I tried to be careful. Maybe if I had a barn or studio where dust could go everywhere and I wouldn't mind . . . Although she tries to use common materials "most of which you will already have on hand", I was frustrated that it called for ink or charcoal that I do *not* have on hand (and our household has lots of arts and craft material). Another problem is that the pages conflict. One page says "1. Soak this page with water. 2. Try to write on it." How can I soak one page and not the whole book? Another page says, "1. Do a drawing or painting here. (the facing page) 2. After seven days, destroy it." But the other side of the page is an exercise in various smudging techniques. Yes, there are ways around all of these. For instance, one could tear out pages and keep them in a separate journal. Or just throw them away after the exercise. Or just skip around and do the pages that are appealing. But that's a lot of work. It is hard to follow the instructions: "Do have fun." and "Don't think too much."
I started July 2019, but put it aside. In December 2020, I picked it up again determined to just go through it. How hard could it be to make a mess every day or week? My last entry was 24 May 2020. While some results were interesting, I could not make myself go through it.
I started July 2019, but put it aside. In December 2020, I picked it up again determined to just go through it. How hard could it be to make a mess every day or week? My last entry was 24 May 2020. While some results were interesting, I could not make myself go through it.
January 16, 2015
I mean with no exaggeration that this book changed my life. It made me view everything around myself in a more curious manner, noting all the things I see in a serene yet frenzy way. This book was a metaphor for all the actions I took against my problems.
Mess is filled with tasks to accomplish, which aside from being fun, makes you get out of your comfort zone. It sort of has an energy which draws you into it, makes you forget everything around you. Half of the pages have small hints to artists, where you can hop on the internet and make researches. Highly recommended!
Mess is filled with tasks to accomplish, which aside from being fun, makes you get out of your comfort zone. It sort of has an energy which draws you into it, makes you forget everything around you. Half of the pages have small hints to artists, where you can hop on the internet and make researches. Highly recommended!
February 10, 2014
I think it's a great and fun book, but it's kinda encouraging kids to ruin books
September 25, 2020
Berkontemplasi dan secara aktif berpartisipasi dalam ketidaksempurnaan (saat-saat mungkin kita gagal) akan terasa membebaskan karena membuat kita lebih rileks dan bisa menikmati pasang surut kehidupan... .
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❤ Mess menjadi buku non fiksi terjemahan pertama yang dapat saya habiskan dalam waktu cukup singkat.
❤ Bagian awal buku ini memuat pengantar yang menurut saya cukup menggugah dengan pesan yang mewakili tujuan buku ini dibuat.
❤ Bagi saya pribadi, buku ini menghadirkan ruang bagi pembaca untuk berkreasi serta bebas menuangkan kreasi pembaca di dalamnya
❤ Alih-alih menyajikan gagasan yang mungkin saja tengah di harapkan pembaca untuk tujuan apapun ketika membaca buku ini, sang penulis justru 'membantu' pembaca untuk mewujudkan ide-ide dalam kepalanya melalui halaman yang memang dipersiapkan bagi pembaca untuk menunjukkan warnanya. Ini buku dengan konsep yang keren!
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❤ Mess menjadi buku non fiksi terjemahan pertama yang dapat saya habiskan dalam waktu cukup singkat.
❤ Bagian awal buku ini memuat pengantar yang menurut saya cukup menggugah dengan pesan yang mewakili tujuan buku ini dibuat.
❤ Bagi saya pribadi, buku ini menghadirkan ruang bagi pembaca untuk berkreasi serta bebas menuangkan kreasi pembaca di dalamnya
❤ Alih-alih menyajikan gagasan yang mungkin saja tengah di harapkan pembaca untuk tujuan apapun ketika membaca buku ini, sang penulis justru 'membantu' pembaca untuk mewujudkan ide-ide dalam kepalanya melalui halaman yang memang dipersiapkan bagi pembaca untuk menunjukkan warnanya. Ini buku dengan konsep yang keren!
January 16, 2020
This book taught me how to let go of fear. I've always been overly cautious with books. I wouldn't touch them with dirty hands or place them carelessly somewhere it could get dirty or ruined.
But this book let me loosen up not only on how I treat books generally, but also on my day to day life.
Instead of being afraid to make mistakes and accidents and worrying all the time about doing things perfectly, I'm aware that they're a part of life.
I still treat books respectfully, but I'm less inclined to be upset about minor things.
Overall I give it a 5/5. Completely loved it.
But this book let me loosen up not only on how I treat books generally, but also on my day to day life.
Instead of being afraid to make mistakes and accidents and worrying all the time about doing things perfectly, I'm aware that they're a part of life.
I still treat books respectfully, but I'm less inclined to be upset about minor things.
Overall I give it a 5/5. Completely loved it.
June 15, 2020
Para alguien tan negativa como yo es el manual más bien de la muerte y la pereza. Lo compré esperando a que sacara de mí el lado más creativo y debo de confesar que hice solamente como 5 ejercicios de los que sugiere la autora. Por supuesto que cada quien habla según como le fue y habrá a quien la interacción con el manual les parezca una joya, el mio está solamente dando un llamativo color a librera.
February 8, 2025
This was given to me as an anxious (and undiagnosed autistic) child who was so stressed about making sure everything was always perfect, so it holds a special place in my heart for making me let loose and learn to embrace 'mess'.
November 10, 2017
Another workbook for creativity
January 3, 2018
Important text to actually "do" to loosen up your staid self in order to let your creativity out! Yes, this is fun and wild! Go for it.
April 30, 2018
Fun book that allows you to step out of your comfort zone!
December 11, 2019
Great book to foster one's creativity.
Want to read
March 26, 2020This was left out to take...
November 2, 2021
Es un gran libro, que te enseña a despertar tu mente y tú curiosidad y que te ayuda a conocerte mucho mejor y sabes que hacer en algunas situaciones de la vida.
December 31, 2021
~A book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels activity book)~
April 12, 2025
Was a little disappointed with this one after completeing "Wreck This Journal" and absolutely loving it. This one just did not match up.
November 5, 2025
Misma gata, pero revolcada.
Igual “Wreck This Journal”, pero en forma de tazos.
Igual “Wreck This Journal”, pero en forma de tazos.
December 27, 2012
I'm working on finishing this book, but I personally find the prompts are much more involved than "Wreck This Journal." At first that put me off-- some prompts could take several months or more to complete-- but I feel I am more at hone with Mess than my copy of Wreck at the moment, now that I have almost finished it. Believe be, you can tell. It is falling apart and I have had to rebind it with sturdy tape! Yes, some prompts almost repeat, but it is to get the reader in the spirit of things again. Save them for later if it is hard to complete other prompts.
I also have introduced it to my photo professor, who gave Wreck to her niece and nephew... Definitely going to spread the joy of this series. I'd love to have this book required in any of my art classes. Imagine the impact of it in an art appreciation or art history class!
I also have introduced it to my photo professor, who gave Wreck to her niece and nephew... Definitely going to spread the joy of this series. I'd love to have this book required in any of my art classes. Imagine the impact of it in an art appreciation or art history class!
December 19, 2015
i like the material used in this book.
and my book looks like a pile of mess by this time.
its hard actually to "not to think, just do it" since as usual we are "programmed" to do something at least nice for our eyes to see.
the best part of this book was it has lots of topic to research, related to any task/prompt given.
i am obsessed, i have 2 copies of each wreck this journal, pocket scavenger, this is not a book, and mess.
luckily i bought them at bargain price.
and my book looks like a pile of mess by this time.
its hard actually to "not to think, just do it" since as usual we are "programmed" to do something at least nice for our eyes to see.
the best part of this book was it has lots of topic to research, related to any task/prompt given.
i am obsessed, i have 2 copies of each wreck this journal, pocket scavenger, this is not a book, and mess.
luckily i bought them at bargain price.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2012
This is a great creative release workbook. A great reminder that creativity is not only about the final outcome, but about the process. Not only do adults need to be reminded of this, but kids as well. I would love to teach a whole unit on this in my art classes.
March 25, 2013
Whenever i am pissed/angry, i open this book & start to destroy it the way it is told to be. It actually makes me feel better since i feel like i released the anger in me. I also realized that even a mess can look beautiful
September 22, 2013
As a lifelong perfectionist, this book was tailor-made for me. It gives me permission to make a mess and not care! I also looked at the Wreck This Journals but I like the introduction to Mess as well as how it gives the reader information on where to do further research throughout the exercises.
January 5, 2015
I'm still working on it, but as every other Keri Smith book, it's great to let your creativity flow. This one's giving me a bit of a hard time as I feel a little weird about getting messy, but I work on it every now and then.
December 1, 2015
I liked the idea, but I think that these are the things that kids do without having someone to tell them to mess with every page :))
It is quite good, I guess.
http://weheartit.com/entry/192093549
It is quite good, I guess.
http://weheartit.com/entry/192093549
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews