Envisioning Possibilities
Creativity
Austin Kleon author of
“Show Your Work”“Austin Kleon is one of the brightest new minds on the creative landscape. And Show Your Work! demonstrates why. With simple yet profound insights, and an array of his amazing images, he casts aside old stereotypes of the creative life and tells what it’s really like. You’ll want to share this remarkable book far and wide.”
—Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell Is Human and Drive
Show Your work One of the more difficult things to do for me. I’m skittish about people not liking it. I’ve been in art shows where a snarky Mom said, “My 3-year-old could do that”. I smiled and said nothing. A stranger created pain in my heart, gut, and head.
Austin spoke at a conference for Educator a few years ago. I keep hesitating, but his words occasionally rattle around and I show my work.
Creating Connection: The overlooked power of eye contact
Eye contact is the designer’s secret to presence. It’s what transforms a presentation from mechanical to magnetic. Slides may show your ideas, but your eyes show your confidence and that’s what clients and audiences remember most.
Why Every Designer Should Practice Their Speech
In design, presentation is persuasion. When you practice speaking as much as sketching, you build trust, authority, and excitement around your ideas. A polished pitch can make the difference between a “maybe” and a “let’s do it.” Remember your voice is part of your professional toolkit. Use it well, and let it sell your vision as powerfully as your designs do.
NETWORKING …. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
Networking is more about follow-up than first impressions.
Resilience
You’re not born resilient—you become resilient.
Green Light
Sometimes we wait for a green light that never comes. A promotion. A signal. Someone saying, “Go ahead.” But what if the real signal is… you?
Own the Room
You don’t need to walk into a room to own it. Your presence shows up before you do—even on Zoom.
Active Listening
The most influential people aren’t the ones who talk the most. They’re the ones who listen best
Clarity Beats Confidence
People don’t need you to have all the answers—they need you to be clear.
Pivot with Purpose
Where in your work or life are you clinging to an outdated strategy? What might need a pivot?
Absolutely – it can be very difficult to share with others what we do – for fear of rejection and criticism. This fear can be debilitating. But to get past the worry of what others will think, is so very liberating!
I loved this book. Short but powerful
And encouraging!!