Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives
Paperback – October 3, 2017
Description
"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." -Alanisxa0Morissette "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." -Debbiexa0Millman, 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 "This life-affirming book has the feel of a personal diary, with hand-lettered text and heartfelt but practical advice. The perfect handbook for the creative soul in need of a gentle kick-start." - Thexa0Advocate Adam J. Kurtz is a designer, artist and author of 1xa0Pagexa0atxa0axa0Time and Pickxa0Mexa0Up , 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.
Features & Highlights
- "Adam J. Kurtz wants you to feel better. About yourself. About the world. About the creative process."
- -Adweek
- Insights and inspiration for anyone who makes art (or anything else) from someone who's been there (and maybe still is).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 in his signature tone: empathetic, vulnerable, inclusive, and conversational. Perforated tear-and-share pages make it easy to display the most 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.
- The Ultimate BuzzFeed Books Gift Guide:
- "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."
