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Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives Paperback – October 3, 2017

by Adam J. Kurtz (Author), Grace Bonney (Foreword)

111 customer reviews

in Business of Art Reference

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"Funny, wry, straightforward advice" Adweek "Serving up optimism and hope" NYLON "A colorful, encouraging companion" Forbes "Advice from someone who's been there" Teen Vogue

Insights and inspiration for anyone who makes art (or anything else). From the creative mind and heart of designer Adam J. Kurtz comes this upbeat rallying cry for creators of all stripes. Expanding on a series of popular essays, this handwritten and heartfelt book shares wisdom and empathy from one working artist to others. Perforated tear-and-share pages make it easy to display themost crucial reminders or to pass a bit of advice on to someone who needs it.

As wry and cheeky as it is empathic and empowering, this deceptively simple, vibrantly full-color book will be a touchstone for writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else who wants to be more creative--even when it would be easier to give up and act normal.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Funny, wry, straightforward advice" -Adweek

"Pursuing art in all its forms, whether professionally or not, requires so much resilience and faith. Adam J. Kurtz's Things Are What You Make of Them is full of pick-me-ups and reminders that you are more than your self-doubt, and certainly you aren't alone in them. -BuzzFeed

"Serving up optimism and hope" -NYLON

"All of Adam J. Kurtz's words are filled with wit, warmth, wonder and wisdom." -Alanis Morissette

"Advice from someone who's been there" -Teen Vogue

"This brilliant, life-affirming book is chock full of audacious advice to help creative people make sense of rejection, failure, false starts, fame, happiness and collaborations." -Debbie Millman, host of Design Matters podcast

"Kind, generous and empowering" -Cool Hunting

"Highly relatable and will make you laugh, cry and feel less crazy than you think you are. You're actually fine!" -Man Repeller

"A colorful, encouraging companion" -Forbes

"In Things Are What You Make of Them, Kurtz shares mini-essays of how he deals with the intangibles that can keep people stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to move forward. He also confronts the idea of what concepts like happiness and success look like to people in creative or more traditional industries." -Refinery29

"Delivers the big pep talks you need" -HelloGiggles

"The book is divided into 12 color-coded sections, which run the gamut from the practical -- How to Stay Sane When You Work from Home and Working with Friends and Family -- to the existential -- How to Begin Again and How to be Happier. The advice is geared towards creatives, but honestly, these nuggets of wisdom are valuable mood boosters for people in any career path." -Bustle

About the Author

Adam J. Kurtz is a designer, artist and author of 1 Page at a Time and Pick Me Up, which have been published in over a dozen languages each. His “very personal” work for clients like Strand Bookstore and Urban Outfitters has been featured in NYLON, PRINT, VICE, BuzzFeed and more.

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: TarcherPerigee (October 3, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0143131516
ISBN-13: 978-0143131519
Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 0.4 x 6.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 111 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > Arts & Photography > Business of Art
- #2 in Books > Business & Money > Business Culture > Health & Stress
- #3 in Books > Arts & Photography > Individual Artists > Essays

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Stephanie R. Boyer

Creative encouragement thats actually not done in calligraphy

November 25, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This small guide is the perfect gift for the friend who is trying to make it (or has already made it) in the creative industry. Artists, writers, knitters of funky socks included. The handwriting is a breath of fresh air from the overdone calligraphy everywhere else. Tips on dealing with rejection are welcome as is acknowledging that work can really suck. Great little stocking stuffer or bday gift.

Comment 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

Sarah

It's like a hug from your mom

October 3, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I absolutely love Adam and his creativity. Adam always has great nuggets of gold to say that make me think "why the heck didn't I think of that??" This book is no exception. The size is so perfect, about that of a post card. The pages tear out, and I've already hung a few around my room. This book feels like I'm getting a big hug from my mom right before she says to go get 'em. I love it and I've already begun shipping opines to my creative friends!

Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

William

You don't have to be "a creative" to appreciate this advice.

October 8, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is listed as life advice for "creatives" but I think that the book does a wonderful job not letting this subtitle or audience box it in. I am not a "traditional creative" but I still felt like so much of the advice was extremely applicable to both my work life and personal endeavors. Furthermore, the fact that each page can be torn out and hung up, given away, etc. is just a great little bonus. The modest price tag doesn't hurt its appeal either...

Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

MiscMarilyn

Inspiration when you need it

October 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I loved this author’s “Pick Me Up” journal so I pre-ordered this book and I’m glad I did! There’s great advice and inspiration in here to read through, or skip to what you need when you need it. The pages are perforated so you can pull them out and display them but I don’t know if I can bring myself to do that!

Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

christian gonzales

Must buy if you feel lost/hopeless creatively.

October 8, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I picked this up immediately because for $10 after prime shipping I’d be dumb not to. I started reading through and instantly I felt better about my current state of feeling creatively blocked. Every page is perforated and able to be torn out. In the future I plan on using my favorite pages around my room, as reminders and inspiration. Even though it is simple it is very comforting to read. If you feel lost spend the money and use this book as a reminder of what you can do when you realize you aren’t the only person that is/has struggling/struggled with doing the things you want.

Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

Samantha Sophia

Essential for creatives, but relatable for EVERYONE!

October 6, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have always been a fan of Adam's work because it is sarcastic, funny, inspiring but my favorite part is that it's relatable. He does an excellent job at reaching to his audience and making us feel like we are friends without even personally knowing each other. I have read this book twice since I got it and it's by far, one of my favorite books (& I read A LOT). I believe it to be an essential for creatives, but anyone can relate to it too. I am a photographer & every single word touched home, but my best friend is nowhere near the art side of life (she's a chemist) & she liked it too. This book gives us answers to the typical questions like "How to be happy?" by telling us very straight forward that there is not such a thing as an 100% happy life, but instead happy moments. It can be an easy read or a more deep one depending on how you feel at the moment, which is one of my favorite parts. This book also allows you to tear up the pages and either give them away or display them on a wall, as you'd desire. Lastly, this book makes you want to share it with others (I have already bought a copy to give to all my friends for the holidays).

Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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mob14

Pocket-sized wisdom & good feels

October 8, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Buy this. This book is wondeful and full of good nuggets of advice and things we all need to hear sometimes. Adam JK knows how to speak to his audience and readers in a way that's empathetic but not too mushy. It can be a hard balance to strike between encouragement, support, and real talk for the tougher times, and he nails it.

Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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Chrissy

little book packed with great insights while being way more funny and relatable than ...

October 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a cute, creative, full color, little book packed with great insights while being way more funny and relatable than any traditional self-help book I've ever read. I have already taken advantage of the perforated tear-away pages, tacking one to my wall for future inspiration and encouragement. I think it would make a great gift, too!

Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

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SummerMeadow8

Creative pep talk

It’s a creative way to give out some rather obvious advice. It’s all a good reminder and a little pep talk to yourself when starting a new project or starting out from scratch.Read more

Published 14 days ago

Lori

Things ARE what YOU make of them....literally

I love to open the book to any random page and apply what has been written to my however my day is going.

Published 26 days ago

buttstuff

HARD PASS

someone gifted me this book as a birthday present and i'm a little...offended that they think i'm so pretentious that i'd like something like this.Read more

Published 1 month ago

Kayla

My happy place 4000 miles away

Hell yeah, Adam!!! This guy is one of my design role models. I love his instagram and bought his book being lonely and starting my solo life abroad.Read more

Published 1 month ago

Lady Max

Pocket sized smart advice giving friend!

I carry this book with me in my bag every day (have actually thought about getting a second copy so I can keep one each in the two bags I switch back and forth between because...Read more

Published 1 month ago

Mariam

Meaningful, helpful, and comforting advice...

This book is great. Reading it is like listening to that sarcastic but really kind and wise friend who always knows what to say.Read more

Published 1 month ago

adrienne

want a hug from a good friend? read this book and it's basically the same thing.

super cute pep talk for when you're feeling like CRAP and don't know how to start over. Adam is so honest and thoughtful and he writes like he meant this book to be for exactly...Read more

Published 1 month ago

Tammy Williams

Your Own Personal, Pocket-sized Cheerleader

Hello hi. I am writing from my mother's Amazon Prime account, because what millennial even has one???Read more

Published 1 month ago

Elizabeth

Great gift and inspiration for creative people

I buy this as a gift for friends because it can appeal to anybody. It is not a long lengthy read but more for inspiration.Read more

Published 1 month ago

Brittany Wilson

Like getting a perspective shifting pep talk from a friend

I’ve loved Adam’s work for a long time. I would probably buy just about anything he put out. That’s because his work always comes from an honest, caring place, and always has a...Read more

Published 1 month ago

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