"Steal Like an Artist" argues that creativity stems from remixing and building upon existing ideas, rather than solely generating entirely new ones. The book offers ten actionable principles for navigating the creative process, from "Don't wait until you know who you are to start making things" to "Creativity is subtraction." It is presented as an illustrated guide for anyone making things in the digital age, encouraging practical application through anecdotes and exercises.
The author presents a manifesto for the creative life, asserting that useful advice for artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and others includes embracing influence, recognizing the value of side projects, and understanding that geography is no longer a primary constraint. The book aims to equip readers with concrete steps to unlock their creative potential by demystifying the act of creation and offering a supportive framework for artistic production.
Key concepts
- Steal like an artist — The idea that creativity involves remixing and building upon existing influences.
- Don't wait until you know who you are to start making things — Encouragement to begin creating before achieving a fully formed identity.
- Side projects are important — The significance of pursuing additional, often passion-driven, projects alongside main work.
- Geography is no longer our master — The concept that physical location has less impact on creative opportunities in the digital age.
- Creativity is subtraction — The principle that limiting options can enhance creative output.
Popular questions readers ask
- How would you explain Kleon's core advice to "Steal like an artist" and that "Creativity is subtraction" to a peer who has never heard of these concepts, using only your own examples or analogies?
- The text mentions "Geography is no longer our master" alongside "Do good work and put it where people can see it." How might these two ideas create both new opportunities and unique challenges for creators in the "digital age"?
- Kleon's original list came from what he "wished he'd heard." If you were to add an eleventh piece of advice to his manifesto that encapsulates an unaddressed but crucial aspect of the creative process, what would it be and why?
- Choose any two specific pieces of advice from Kleon's original list (e.g., "Use your hands," "Be boring," "Side projects are important") and design a practical, five-minute "mini-exercise" for each that a student could immediately implement.
- Considering the broad audience for this book (writers, artists, entrepreneurs, etc.), what fundamental, unifying principle about making things do you believe underlies all of Kleon's seemingly disparate pieces of advice?