Unstuck: 52 Ways to Get (and Keep) Your Creativity Flowing at Home, at Work & in Your Studio [Paperback]

Noah Scalin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2011

Can’t get the creative juices flowing? Unstuck features 52 simple, creativity-generating projects that can fit into any lifestyle. Arranged in order of time commitment—from 30 seconds to several hours—the 52 projects can be done randomly or one per week for an entire year of creativity building. Also included are 12 artist profiles that illuminate what other successful creative people do to stay inspired and productive, along with blank journaling pages to sketch, scribble, and jot down your experiences and ideas. Roll the dice (made from the “custom inspiration dice” template in the book) and see where your creative energy takes you!

www.noahscalin.com

www.skulladay.blogspot.com

www.makesomething365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“Scalin and his subjects tackle the problem of stymied creativity from every conceivable angle and direction in Unstuck. The result is a book that positively bursts with ingenuity and experiment: an essential tool not just for artists of every stripe, but for teachers, parents, and just about everyone else.”

—Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Visit From the Goon Squad

 

Have you hit a creative roadblock? Noah Scalin, author of 365: A Daily Creativity Journal, has created a toolbox of skills to get you Unstuck!

 

In this book are 52 inspiring project prompts designed for any field and any level of experience. The activities can be done randomly or one per week for an entire year of creativity building. With tasks divided by time commitment (from 30 seconds to several hours), pick one that fits your schedule and get started right now!

 

There’s plenty of room to sketch, journal, and document your experiences. Along the way, peek inside the brains of 12 creative professionals and see exactly how they stay motivated. Unstuck is the ultimate DIY guide to regaining your creative flow!

About the Author

In 2007, artist Noah Scalin came up with an ingenious idea: he cut a skull out of orange paper and posted it on his blog with the note, “I’m making a skull image every day for a year.” His year-long art project became an award-winning Internet sensation that resulted in the book Skulls, as well as landing him in the New York Times and on the Martha Stewart Show.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; First edition (October 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760341346
• ISBN-13: 978-0760341346
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Mixed-Media

More About the Author

Noah Scalin is a Richmond, Virginia based artist/designer/activist. He is the creator of the Webby award-winning daily art project Skull-A-Day. His fine art has been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally including the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia and the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago. Noah also founded the internationally recognized, socially conscious design and consulting firm Another Limited Rebellion. In addition, Noah often gives talks on the subject of generating creative energy at conferences and universities, and he teaches a course on socially conscious design at Virginia Commonwealth University. His first book, Skulls, was honored by the New York Public Library and as a "Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Teen Readers" by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was featured on The Martha Stewart Show. His latest book, 365: A Daily Creativity Journal, from Voyageur Press, is designed to help people reap the benefits of making a yearlong daily project.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential November 11, 2011

By John

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is deceptively simple. While many of the activities are lighthearted, crafty diversions and brain teasers, there is something deeply human being explored here about the ways we think, perceive, and inhabit the world. This not just about getting unstuck, but shifting ones perspective and developing awareness of the ways we work, the ways we think, the ways we ARE.

Not every exercise will speak to you the same way, but that's OK because the book is packed with so many ideas you are bound to encounter some zingers that move you. And that is well worth the price of admission.

Once you read this, once you DO this book, you will be hard-pressed to un-DO it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Get Unstuck: Help is on the way September 30, 2011

By Mary Louise Penaz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My copy came today and I couldn't put it down. I devoured it straight away. My husband and I just started a major project, and while we are definately thriving artistically right now, this will no doubt inspire us in other ways. I actually think this book is good for both times, when you are thriving and of course, when you are stuck.

Nonetheles, there's not a creative person who hasn't lost his or her inspiration at one time or another. Annoying? Yes. Excruciating? No doubt. But please, suffer no longer. If you're stuck, do yourself a favor and buy this book. Scalin's book is chock full of ways to get your creativity flowing again. Fast forward to the last pages where the author tells you the secret about this book, that it took a year to create, which perfectly illustrates the author's intention, to get you back on track and in the habit of doing something creative every day. Not only does this book give you plenty of ways to get the pen moving forward, the paint brush swishing, the camera clicking again--but also other artists will tell you their secrets, how they avoid roadblocks, ways they keep the Muse landing even on a rainy day. Nothing beats the company of other working artists who've been stuck before, who've been there before. Nothing beats another artist offering tried and true suggestions, that might help you get back up on your feet and experimenting again. Plenty of blog and web links are included, so you can check out each artist's work, and see other cool places, for massive doses of needed inspiration. What a gift, what an act of generosity from so many talented artists. And if you know someone who needs support, this would be the perfect gift for them....

When I pre-ordered this book I was hoping the publisher would post a Kindle version by publication date. UPDATE: this book is so gorgeous, the design, photographs, illustrations so lovely--I cannot imagine that Kindle would be able to create the same version, which makes sense since the book is about finding your way back to creative inspiration. What better way to show this than by example, no? :-) Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stuck on Noah October 8, 2011

By A. Kopperude

Format:Paperback

Once was not enough. Noah Scalin has done it again. His new book "Unstuck" provides a depth of inspiration through seemingly endless ideas and pictures to demonstrate at least 52 ways to explore your creative potential. His best advice centers on having simple expectations of yourself. Be reasonable with your creative goals, and when you're ready, reach beyond them.

"Unstuck" has a similar layout to "365: A Daily Creativity Journal" in that you can record your progress after some of the 52 prompts in the book. There is often space to record brainstorms or even to participate in the activity by completing an exercise on the page. But I would say that "Unstuck" is packed with even more idea-generating material and more often than not uses all of the space on each page to help you think outside of the box. What I love most about "Unstuck" is the way the book is organized into sections of projects based on how much time it would take to finish them. Ranging from 30 seconds to multiple hours, each section contains approximately 10 activities and guides you by baby steps until you're ready to stand on your own and confidently let your creativity grow. Whether you have a case of artist's block or are looking for a book to encourage a creative person, "Unstuck" will cure what ails you.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good ideas about getting good ideas. January 9, 2012

By Terry E. Border

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

First- I admit that I wrote something for this book (unpaid, except for a free copy, but I bought another copy here on Amazon for my brother).

Second- I'm lucky that I rarely get "stuck" for an idea, but I have my bad days too. This morning, after a project seemingly went down in flames, I picked up my copy of "Unstuck" and drove down to the coffee shop and sat down with it. I had read some of it before, but today was the first time that I really went through it with purpose. I was hoping that I might learn how someone else handled problems like I was having, and I wasn't disappointed. By the time I finished my coffee, I had found a secret way to handling clients that I know will be very helpful in the future. What is it? Let's just say that it has to do with fake representation and emails. If you read the book, you'll see what I mean.
:)

Anyway- I recommend it.
Good luck!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone gets stuck October 6, 2011

By Marzi

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Are you a creative? Than you know you need this book. Just order it and move along.

Everyone else, sit down and let's talk. Me first.

The truth is no matter who we are or what we do, we all get stuck and we are all creative. The sad truth is most of us don't realize it. You can argue with me until you are blue in the face how you are not stuck and there is no way "Unstuck" will benefit your personal life or career. Go head, do that now. I'll listen attentively. Be sure to mention how busy your life is while you're at it.

Now, let me point out that your argument demonstrates your stuck-ness.

Diving into these projects can stretch your brain in a new direction, uncover a hidden talent or inject a bit of unexpected delight to your life. Anyone who invests 30 seconds, a couple minutes or a half hour to this book will be rewarded with any thing from a sense of satisfaction to the seed of a brilliant new idea. The key to suffering through that spreadsheet analysis might just be going off the grid (project 43) or answering some of the questions in project 14 (bigger than a bread box). You don't know until you try.

Noah has handed over his tool chest of goodies and I'm happy to find that we use many of the same tools. My personal life, relationships and my careers in the arts, technology, management, coaching and medicine have all benefited from getting unstuck. What appeared to be a simple project has often lead me to a profound insight or diffuses distracting tension. The tools that are new to me are being swiftly incorporated into my bag of tricks.

As for those few of you who have actually convinced me that you are not stuck in any facet of your life. Good for you! Now reward yourself with "Unstuck" and keep the flow going!