Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All

Description

A powerful and inspiring book from the founders of IDEO, the award-winning design firm, on unleashing the creativity that lies within each and every one of us. Too often, companies and individuals assume that creativity and innovation are the domain of the 'creative types'. But two of the foremost experts in innovation, design and creativity on the planet show us that each and every one of us is creative. In an entertaining and inspiring narrative that draws on countless stories from their work at IDEO, and with many of the world's top companies and design firms, David and Tom Kelley identify the principles and strategies that will allow us to tap into our creative potential in our work lives, and in our personal lives, allow us to think outside the box in terms of how we approach and solve problems. 'Creative Confidence' is a book that will help each of us be more productive and successful in our lives and in our careers.

Tim Appelo has written about television, pop culture, and Hollywood for Entertainment Weekly, People, TV Guide, Details, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in Seattle, Washington. s founder of IDEO, David Kelley built the company that created many icons of the digital generation--the first mouse for Apple, the first Treo, the thumbs up/thumbs down button on your Tivo's remote control, to name a few. But what matters even more to him is unlocking the creative potential of people and organizations so they can innovate routinely. David's most enduring contributions to the field of design are a human-centered methodology and culture of innovation. More recently, he led the creation of the groundbreaking d.school at Stanford, the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. Kelley was working (unhappily) as an electrical engineer when he first heard about Stanford's cross-disciplinary Joint Program in Design, which merged engineering and art. What he learned there--a human-centered, team-based approach to tackling sticky problems through design--propelled his professional life as a "design thinker." In 1978, David co-founded the design firm that ultimately became IDEO. Today, he serves as chair of IDEO and is the Donald W. Whittier Professor at Stanford, where he has taught for more than 25 years. Preparing the design thinkers of tomorrow earned David the Sir Misha Black Medal for his "distinguished contribution to design education." He has also won the Edison Achievement Award for Innovation, as well as the Chrysler Design Award and National Design Award in Product Design from the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and he is a member of the National Academy of Engineers.

'David and Tom have written an incredibly insightful book that challenges us all have the courage to break out of our ruts, innovate, and create' Tim Koogle, former President & CEO, Yahoo 'An indispensible field guide for creative explorers of all kinds. This compelling book will help build creative muscles for when you need them most' Todd Spaletto, President, The North Face 'Developing both the courage and confidence to create and the ability to cultivate original insight is of enormous practical importance, and this new book is the first place I send people to learn how it is done' Richard Miller, President, Olin College 'Creativity is not magic, it's a skill. Get this book and learn the skill from the brothers who have taught it to more people-f rom nurses to bankers to teachers to computer scientists-than anyone else' Chip Heath, author of Made to Stick, Switch, and Decisive 'A cross between Steve Jobs' commencement speech on creativity and a modern-day What Color is your Parachute?, the Kelley brothers offer simple but effective tools for the "I'm not creative" set-business leaders and professionals seeking the confidence to innovate' John Maeda, President & CEO, Rhode Island School of Design 'A five-star Wow! This wonderful, heartwarming book may literally change the world. Indeed, it must change the world. Don't just read it. Use it. Now' Tom Peters, bestselling author of In Search of Excellence 'This book changed me. 'Creative Confidence' is that rare combination of thought leadership, soulful storytelling, and real-life exercises that inspires you to reclaim your creative passion and courage. I feel braver already' Brene Brown, Ph.D., author of the #1 New York Times Best-seller, Daring Greatly 'This is the only book about creativity that you'll ever need' Guy Kawasaki, author of APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur