Product Description
An illustrated deck of 64 creative thinking strategies that will whack you out of habitual thought patterns and enable you to look at your life and actions in a fresh way. Use the cards alone or with others to seek innovative solutions to issues. Created by best-selling author von Oech, the cards have been used by many organizations, including NASA, in strategy development and problem solving. Complete with detailed instructions.
Customer Reviews:
Whack-tastic.......2007-09-27
When you're stuck, this helps get you unstuck. The cards force you to change your train of thought - helpful for when you can't seem to think of anything new. I write a lot of press releases on somewhat mundane and repetitive topics, and the whack pack has inspired some new ideas and made the task less tedious.
Yes, great pack!.......2007-04-12
It's amazing that this product gets five straight stars from all the reviewers. Nothing is worth a perfect score like that, but this product does. This is truly an amazing product. I used these cards all the time (well, maybe not all the time, but when I need a little boost of creativity, these cards really help.) I've had these cards in my arsenal for over ten years. I have not lost a card yet.
The author asks you to challenge the rules and ask questions. As President and Creative Director of a highly creative web design company called AUDIN Web Design, these cards resonate deeply in my creativity. These cards are rule breakers.
The author challenges you to:
"Think like a kid"
"Change its name"
"Look somewhere else"
"Listen to you dreams"
"Check you timing"
"Exaggerate"
And finally:
"Be whacky"
Bottom Line: If you don't like to read (a book) and you want to stimulate your mind, get these cards. They will totally change the way you think about creative (and maybe not so creative) problems.
Truly Useful .......2006-12-03
I think everyone should have a pack of this cards because everyone sometimes feels stuck with a problem to the point that he is unaware of other possible solutions. The ideas in this pack help to look at the perplexing issue from many different perspectives. Sooner or later one may see the light, an open door, most likely many, many doors leading to numerous possible solutions. These cards are a valuable tool for brainstorming ideas, prompting the person to think of ideas that might have never crossed his mind otherwise. The wonderful think about coming out with creative ideas is that you also have lots of laughs while you're doing it because you begin to think of wild, whacky and outrageously fun things.
Lots of great ideas!.......2006-10-31
I've never seen so many great ideas, and tools to break-through creative thinking!
It's the I Ching -- only better! .......2006-10-14
I love this set of 64 cards. Based on the ancient wisdom of the I Ching this card set is simply the most creative, brilliant way to problem solve ever invented. By using 4 archetypes, Explorer, Artist, Judge and Warrior, author Roger von Oech shows us how to use our creativity to to its fullest potential... in a really simple way with lots of examples. And sharing the Whack Pack with friends has led to many memorable discussions and projects! There's a reason this product has been around for such a long time. It's fantastic.
Book Description
Each card in this inspiring deck offers an idea to stretch your approach to observing and chronicling the daily events around you. You'll learn how to harness the power of words (what to write about, and what to write with), explore extreme photography techniques without having any previous photography experience, focus on the little things (like a two-inch section of a painted mural you drive by every day), and discover unusual ways to create a self-portrait (from plastic wrap and tree lights, to close-ups of your hands). Includes 50 cards and a creativity notebook to record your own art-journal explorations.
Customer Reviews:
Very Cool Concept.......2007-09-26
I love these creativity cards! The graphics on one side are unique, interesting, colorful, and eye catching. The prompts on the flipside are thought-provoking, meaningful, and different. The small journal is a great creative jumpstart in itself. I love the colors and techniques that were used to produce the backgrounds. Think I'll even attempt to create some of those myself. The box housing the creativity cards and journal is sturdy and pleasant to look at.
This is a fresh concept, and I am enjoying this package very much.
By the way, this is in no way a "how to" of any type. It is intended to make you think about doing old things in a fresh way or to help you attempt something new altogether.
Highly recommended.
Wow!.......2007-08-05
these cards are amazing. each one is a little piece of art in itself. you'll want to frame and hang them. except then you wouldn't be able to turn them over and get a shot in the arm of inspiration... yummy. i'm too afraid to work in the little workbook as yet, tho. i don't wanna mess it up. :)
if you're looking for cutesy, pretty art, tho, look somewhere else. this is real, gritty from-the-soul art. the kind that hits you "right there". and hopefully will help you make your own journal pages that do the same.
several of them are geared towards photography but lots of it is the kind that can be done with even an el cheapo camera. the author will also have you using tape, glue, spraypaint, and maybe a few things you never thought of as art supplies before. this is the kind of journaling that begs you to jump in and get messy.
if you do any kind of visual journaling, i highly recommend these cards and workbook.
So Much Fun.......2007-08-05
I got this after much thought. I figured it was just another "how to do a journal book". But, I found it to be much fun to do the exersizes and if you are an artist with a block, this will help to unblock you. It can give you ideas you never really thought of before on approaching your art work. Plus, as I said, it is a lot of fun to do the exersizes suggested on the individual cards. The kit also includes a fun little notebook/journal book to do as you please with. If you teach art, these are also fun ideas to inspire your students. I plan on doing that with my students this Fall.
This is a Gem.......2007-07-26
First of all, this will make a perfect gift for anyone crafty or involved in journaling, scrapbooking, altered books, ATCs, etc. It's a very affordable gift that keeps on giving.
The author opens your eyes to new ways to be creative in a way anyone, whether an "artist" or not, can use everyday observations to create real, unique, personal, fun, journal pages. She'll encourage you to take in all your surroundings and find a common element - she was able to find the common element while sitting in an Italian restaurant and watching war protesters: she, the waiter, the protesters were all waiting, caught up in a moment in time which was the theme she used for one one of her journal pages. She uses paint, photography and any object that she can use to express herself in her work -and makes no apologies. I LOVE this little gem. Just lovely and real. You won't be disappointed.
Great things come in little boxed sets..........2007-07-04
I noticed that there was a 1 star review of "Wide Open...". No offense, reviewer, but clearly you don't have a clue. Yes, the cards in the set are sort of vague -- if you are looking for step-by-step instructions for making something, don't waste your money on this. And, yes, you do need to own... and have some very basic knowledge of... art supplies (again, no offense, but if you've been within spitting distance of an art supply or craft store, then you'll know what gesso is).
[Ok, stepping off my soap box and done with the snarky comments.] Randi Feuerhelm-Watts is such an inspiration! I love her style and the ideas for inspiration that she presents on the cards go way beyond some of the tired, old suggestions that seem to always crop up in art/craft publications.
I read all the cards in one sitting (because I'm obsessive like that!) and I did notice that some of them related to each other. Not that they are dependent on each other or that you would be lost if you pick them at random... but I did observe some links between the individual ideas. I think this is great for continuing themes in your art work. Also, while she references photography quite a bit (she is a photographer after all), I definitely do not feel that any of the ideas are pigeonholed by the techniques. The author's basic ideas translate really well no matter what kind of visual artwork you might do.
The cards themselves each feature snippets of the author's artwork on the back. This alone is incredibly inspirational. You almost get double the bang for your buck - pull out one of the cards to interpret the visual side and then come back to it later for inspiration from the narrative side.
My only complaint would be about the Creativity Notebook... I wouldn't really call it a complaint, persay. I guess I'm just ambivalent about it's inclusion in the set. On one hand she has provided some great backgrounds to help you combat "white page syndrome" as well as some random instructions to offer a jump start to someone who is new to visual journaling. But on the other hand, I don't see myself personally using it since I already have half a dozen journals and prefer to make my own backgrounds (once you get on a roll, its half the fun).
The ideas and techniques are presented in Randi's conversational style, along with her great little stories. While I have not had the pleasure of taking a class with her or meeting her, she comes across as the kind of person you'd love to have as an art friend because she'd always be inspiring and challenging. I think that's the greatest thing about this kit... she's managed to package a ton of her personality and a lot of what I imagine she teaches in her workshops into one cool product. This set definitely gets a front row spot on my art-bookshelf.
Customer Reviews:
Good Tips .......2007-09-22
Orson Scott Card is a master story teller, so it's great to learn from him. It's one of the basic books for learning how to construct your characters. You'll need others though, like The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines (Paperback)
by Tami D. Cowden
It takes time to find the gold.......2007-08-30
Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
Reading this book was like eating soup that had bursts of flavor in it. To find the flavor, you had to eat a lot of soup that was tasteless. After reading this book, I felt it was suited more for the novice who knows little to nothing about the structure of a book and developing the characters in that book. A novice in my opinion is someone who wants to be published and famous but wasn't willing to put in the time reading while they were young a to learn the literary skills taught in English literature in high school/college. It is my opinion that this book digresses and has too much fluff and could have been written in fifty to seventy-five pages instead of the one hundred and seventy-three that it is. Although the book offers valuable insight into the development of characterization, it did not need to run on as long as it did. When I read Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood, it didn't take long to finish the book. Hood's book was packed with information and examples and did not digress like Card's book did. On the other hand, it took me five times as long to read Card's book because of the digressions. However, I do not think that Hood's book was written for the novice. Card's book takes the reader by the hand and leads him/her gently toward an understanding of developing characterization along with plot and other structural elements that are required to write a story that has a chance to see print. Hood's book, on the other hand, leaps in and roars ahead without taking the time to develop the necessary skills. I felt that Hood's book took for granted that the reader would know the things that Card teaches them in his book. I have four more books on characterization by four other authors and I plan to read them all. I know what my main weakness is in developing a narrative--characterization. After reading Hood and Card, I feel it is important to have a diverse perspective on the topic of developing characterization. One book may not be enough to understand what it takes to bring people to life on the flat page filled with black print.
Valuable, entertaining little book.......2007-05-14
Somehow, Orson Scott Card has a way of making anything an enjoyable read. This is true with his book on Characters and Viewpoint. He places his knowledge in the package of his well developed prose so that it is fun to read and easy to understand. But Card also likes to give his readers special treats and this book is no exception. Readers find the special treats in the stories Card shares of his many writers bootcamps and workshops including anecdotes from such well read authors as Gene Wolfe. This helps the reader understand that Card is not just drawing off his knowledge, but that of many other authors just as talented as he is. Most certainly worth multiple reads.
A writer's notebook.......2007-04-10
If you desire to write stories full of imagination, as well as fact, then I suggest you read this book. It is chock-full of explanations, viewpoints, instructions, as well as entertainment. As a budding writer, I am constantly seeking for the one book that will propel me to stardom. I find this one to be a definite step-up in that direction.
Characters and Viewpoint.......2007-03-10
Orson Scott Card makes informative and lasting insights into the creation of--and following the Point of View of--each character. This is not the STEP A to STEP Z version of writing instructions that make for a clear-cut pattern. Instead, it is a deeper instruction, breaking down the elements of writing that hide from so many want-to-be writers.
It is filled with cute little anecdotes and slap-you-in-the-face wake-up calls. ANY writer, no matter how experienced, would benefit from this book. Its an excellent referrence that forces the reader to THINK.
Book Description
Can you find your digital photographs when you need them, or do you spend more time rifling through your hard drive and file cabinets than you'd like? Do you have a system for assigning and tracking content data on your photos? If you make a living as a photographer, do your images bear your copyright and contact information, or do they circulate in the marketplace unprotected?
As professional photographer and author Peter Krogh sees it, "your DAM system is fundamental to the way your images are known, both to you and to everyone else." DAM, or Digital Asset Management, in the world of digital photography refers to every part of the process that follows the taking of the picture, through final output and permanent storage. Anyone who shoots, scans or stores digital photographs, is practicing some form of digital asset management. Unfortunately, most of us don't yet know how to manage our files (and our time) very systematically, or efficiently.
In The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers, Krogh brings clarity to the often overwhelming task of managing digital photographs, with a solid plan and practical advice for fellow photographers on how to file, find, protect and re-use photographs. Following a thorough overview of the DAM system and de-mystifications of metadata and digital archiving, Krogh focuses on best practices for digital photographers using Adobe Photoshop CS2. He explains how to use Adobe Bridge, the new CS2 navigational software that replaces the File Browser introduced in Photoshop 7, with full details on integrating Bridge, Camera Raw and Digital Asset Management software.
Compellingly presented in four-color format, The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers brings Krogh's award-winning creative approach to a subject that could have been technically intimidating. Instead, Krogh's twenty years of experience and instructive visual storytelling make this material not only accessible, but compulsory reading for serious digital photographers.
Customer Reviews:
Organization!.......2007-08-31
This is a good book. It is very helpful in determining how to organize photographs. It also is a give a good review of Bridge. It would be nice for the book to be up dated to cover CS3.
An Excellent Overview.......2007-03-31
I found this book to be an excellent resource to help you to understand how all the pieces fit together.
Indespensable Reference for management & storage of digital photos............2007-03-18
As a novice in the area of digital asset management, I found this book to be extremely helpful.....well written and full of great suggestions on how best to manage your photos. Highly recommended.......a true five-star guide.
HIghly Recommended.......2007-03-08
Helps you learn how to deal with all the digital photography photos that amass on your hard drive. Do you save them as JPEG , RAW, both? What about DNG? How do you tag, and archive these files? Why would I do it this way? It's important to know when your files reach into the thousands!! Do you want to lose your data or save it as an inferior file? I hope this book gets updated yearly.
Once good, now seriously outdated and needlessly complex.......2007-03-02
The DAM Book was probably much needed when it was first published - its publication coincided with a realization by many professional and serious amateur photographers that handling the quickly growing digital photo collections required a sound organizing approach and dedicated software tools. The book aptly points out that dealing with digital image workflow and the resulting file archives is in many significant ways different than dealing with film-based archives. Based on this initial premise, the book offers recommendations on how to organize digital photo studio workflow and filing / archive system.
Alas, the author chose to tie VERY CLOSELY his mostly sensible conceptual framework (i.e., HOW to organize) with very specific software and hardware. Often, more general advice is difficult or impossible to separate from his step-by-step, software-specific recipes. So, unless you use exactly the same software and hardware configuration as the author, much, if not most of this information will be of little use.
Since the book was first published, new, DAM- and photographic workflow-oriented software has become available (Adobe CS3, including the new Bridge is now in public beta nearing its release; and Apple Aperture 1.5 and Adobe PS Ligtroom 1.0 are the new, more workflow-focused tools), and more up-to-date (although dispersed) discussion of problems in question can be found in numerous articles on the web. This makes large portions of the book obsolete, as new tools enable different workflows that may be better suited to many photographers' preferences.
The book has other issues.
First, the author LOVES using technical jargon. While technical vocabulary is appropriate in discussing technical issues, creating new terms and elaborate taxonomies for everything is an overkill. The author's misguided argument for using "controlled vocabularies" (a common term, which he uses in his own, very peculiar way - p. 47) is a good case in point. As Eric Abrahamson (Columbia Business School) aptly points out in his excellent book "A Perfect Mess," organizing is always good in principle, but OVER ORGANIZING by creating systems more complex than it is necessary to get the job done, comes at a very steep price in time and resources needed to maintain the system. Enough said.
Secondly, since this is a workflow book (not a coffee-table book), the full color print is totally unnecessary, and the price point is consequently too high. This should have been one of those $9.95 O'Reilly quick-guide booklets. Most photos reproduced in the book are simply decorative, or used as examples for things that are obvious (e.g. an example of a "group shot" - duh!; or a photo of wine barrels in a cellar as a metaphor for file storage system). Photos are not interesting on their own merit; screen captures and simple diagrams would be just as effective in greyscale.
In summary, you may want to flip through the pages of the book at a local library or bookstore - what's really useful and noteworthy here, can be easily grasped in less than 15 minutes; otherwise, your money may be better spent on a good book focused on the actual software tools YOU are committed to using.
Book Description
With designers constantly working for clients and having a limited amount of freedom in much of their work, the chance to strike out on their own and do something truly original and personal is a real luxury. The cards included represent some of the most creative design available so are a wonderful source of inspiration for all types of projects. All designers and design firms, whether in-house or freelance, create their own greeting cards which serve not only as a greeting card, but as an opportunity to show off their work in a totally unique and uninhibited light. In addition, they are the perfect project because they are small enough so they are not incredibly time consuming nor are they very expensive to produce -- even with unique materials or treatments.
Customer Reviews:
A full color collection of thumbnail images - Umm... Yay?.......2007-08-04
I have a lot of problems with this book.
The first being that while the designs are split into categories such as "brand identity", "invitations" and "self branding" (among others) the individual pieces have virtually no information given on their purpose or use. It would be very helpful to know standard information like the target audience or main goals attributed to the selected works shown. It isn't enough to simply lump sum all this work into a category and offer no explanation on demographics or psychographics. A directory at the end of the book lists who designed the work, but that's really all you get.
The second thing that irked me is that the pictures are very small. Each page may have half a dozen or more pieces shown but no detail shots of any. This further adds to my first complaint. The viewer can't even deduce for themselves what most of the work was intended for since the images are so small. Some of the photography is very lovely and truly works to show off the best qualities of the selected pieces but without detailed shots or full page displays the viewer is left unsatisfied.
While all the designs shown are very good, many are based off of common ideas. Lots of Pseudo-Asian, lots of decomposed and grunge. While they're attractive, they're not particularly inspiring.
Over all I think this book would do more good in the hands of a craft minded individual and not a designer. I can see many of the invitations lending themselves well to home projects and offering some inspiration for personal correspondence stationery.
An acceptable coffee table book, but not a design tool.
Great Resource.......2007-03-09
Love this book. It's jam-packed with inspirational greetings that can be applied to all types of graphic design projects. I plan on buying their other 1000 series in the near future.
My favorite book ever.......2007-02-22
I bought this book and used it everyday until I lost it. I felt completely off base without it for several months until I couldn't take it anymore and purchased it AGAIN! I absolutely love 1000 greetings and recommend it to everyone.
Who is this for?.......2007-01-31
Not enough details for inspiration. They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, not in this case. Maybe if they would have given us a quick paragraph about the piece, (how, who, what, . . .etc). I'm sure the designers would've loved this. Were they even asked?
A lot of fluff, not a lot of detail.......2007-01-19
While this book is filled with 1000 different images, you don't get any details. What does the card look like when opened? What type of client was this project done for? Also, the images are incredibly small so you can't read any of the copy, which for some of the designs, is critical to their success. I wouldn't have bought this book had I been browsing in a store and been able to see it first.
Book Description
Finally, Orson Scott Card's Hugo award-winning classic on the art and craft of writing science fiction and fantasy is available in paperback! Card provides invaluable advice for every science fiction and fantasy writer interested in constructing stories about people, worlds and events that stretch the boundaries of the possible...and the magical. They'll learn: * what is and isn't science fiction and fantasy, and where their story fits in the mix * how to build, populate, and dramatize a credible, inviting world readers will want to explore * how to use the MICE quotient--milieu, idea, character and event--to structure a successful story * where the markets are, how to reach them and get published There's no better source of information for writers working in these genres. This book will help them effectively produce exciting stories that are both fascinating and market-ready.
Customer Reviews:
Helpful thoughts on fantasy and sci-fi specific issues.......2007-07-25
Having taken a number of fiction-writing classes, I thought that the most valuable part of this book was that it discusses the ways in which writing a good fantasy novel or sci-fi novel is not the same as writing non-genre fiction. Past workshops have given me plenty of information on character-building and similar standard elements of fiction, but it was really helpful to have someone articulate the special concerns needing attention in the realm of fantasy.
How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy.......2007-06-25
If you've never written Sci-fi and DON'T know the market it's 5 star, even though its print date is a little old. It's a start. I'm not all the way through the book and so far most of what's discussed I already knew--through my own research.
Don't Bother..........2007-05-13
I began reading "How to Write SF & F" with high hopes, which were ultimately dashed. This man has no business writing a how-to guide. In fact, he gives the worst advice on agents and publishers I have ever heard. If you are seriously interested in writing sf or fantasy (i.e. you write sf/f whether or not you are paid), please save yourself the few hours it will take you to read this and spend it writing instead. There is more useful information on the many websites on this topic than Card gives in this book; most of it is regurgitated in watered-down form from the many excellent writing guides on the market. Though I think the idea in his style is to portray himself as wise and all-knowing, he just comes off as arrogant and pompous. There are probably only a few chapters of actual meat in this book and the rest is filled with stories about the struggles of the unrecognized writer to support his family, his long-suffering wife (who he mentions as a side note had a miscarriage and he carted her off to her mother's so he could write in peace), and of course shameless name-dropping-- including constantly mentioning other books he's written. It took me a whopping two-and-a-half hours to read this "guide", at the end of which I was left feeling empty and annoyed. Card is a hack that has somehow been allowed to continue to write through some strange miracle of publishing. My granny has more talent in her bunion.
A good history lesson.......2007-04-11
How To Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card spells out the history of sci-fi and fantasy and gives advice on how to continue the tradition with your own work. Card has read so many old books that it boggles my mind. I wish I'd read as many books as he has. He's also written some great books, so he knows what he's talking about. This book was one of the first books I read about writing when I started my career as a fantasy author. It definitely helped me get published and gave me valuable information about the genre that I love. It's not essential, but a good treatise on the history of the f/sf genre.
Paul Genesse, Author & Copy Editor
[...]
Best Guide for Beginners.......2007-01-26
This is the best book for beginning writers who are not certain that they want to write in the SF&F genre. For beginning writers, deciding on genre tends to them a heart attack. Most aspiring writers tend to be sensitive about every decision no matter how small, and Card's book is encouraging. It will not immobilize them with fear or indecision. The book is well planned and easy to read. Finally, Card's advice is not all over the place like most creative writing books that attempt to please everyone.
Book Description
Looking for a unique invention, an untapped market for an existing product, or a new solution? Stretch your imagination with Thinkpak, a creative-thinking tool designed by Michael Michalko, author of the groundbreaking book Thinkertoys. This deck of illustrated idea-stimulating cards distills one of Michalko's proven methods, allowing you to view challenges in a new light. Shuffle, mix, and match the cards to spark fresh insights, then use the critical evaluation techniques to test, shape, and refine your ideas into realistic creations. Filled with thought-provoking questions and examples of the techniques put to use, Thinkpak provides endless creative fuel to fire up the imagination.
Customer Reviews:
Take this along on your next business trip!.......2007-06-19
Michael Michalko's "Thinkpak" cards are a handy little adjunct to his book, Thinkertoys. While the book provides you with in-depth instructions and sample anecdotes, however, the cards act as a quick, portable, self-contained brain-stimulator.
The deck includes an introductory card, a card of instructions, an explanatory booklet, 45 "idea stimulator" cards, and 9 evaluation technique cards. The introductory card and the booklet delve into something originally explored in "Thinkertoys"-a method represented by the mnemonic SCAMPER. The idea stimulator cards are similarly divided into these nine types of questions-with the backs of the cards color-coded by category-so that you can pick a card at random, pick a card from each category, or pick a card from a specific category.
The book includes a couple of games for group brainstorming, as well as examples of the SCAMPER ideals in general use and the specific prompts from the cards in use.
I believe the deck is best used after reading the book. The prompts on the cards are quick, simple keys to help you brainstorm, and I think these will work best once you've gotten a bit of a handle on how to brainstorm in general. Also, there are many in-depth exercises in the book that of course wouldn't fit onto cards.
The cards, however, have some wonderful applications apart from the book. They're portable and self-contained, making them easy to take along in your luggage, briefcase or purse. They're easy to distribute among the members of a class or team. They lend themselves well to randomness, which can help to spark ideas when you truly have no idea where to start. They're also fun to play with, which can help to loosen people up and get them into a more playful and creative mood.
The book was better.......2007-01-10
I purchased both the Think Pak cards and the book Thinkertoys. The cards are a good adjunct to the book if the group is familiar with the various techniques the author espouses. As a stand alone, the cards are only as good as the person who is faciltating the group. The cards do offer good ideas for taking brainstoriming to the next level or opening up your mind to new ways of viewing an old situation.
A delight.......2006-11-04
Fresh from reading 'Thinkertoys' and 'Cracking Creativity,' and without any foreknowledge of what lay in store, I purchased Thinkpac. I am thrilled. Based on the author's SCAMPER technique in Thinkertoys, Thinkpac is presented as a creative approach to brainstorming. The result is a valuable tool that is a delight to manipulate and amazingly effective. Thanks to Mr. Michalko's contributions to creativity, I have experienced a remarkable odyssey.
Review by Lee Say Keng "Knowledge Adventurer".......2006-10-19
Reviewer: Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY EXPLORER" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
Thinkpak is just an extension of one of the creativity tools (SCAMPER) outlined in 'Thinkertoys'. It's just a pack of cards, but they are very powerful idea triggers.
The first time I encountered 'Thinkertoys' it was actually the first edition released during the early 90's, when it was also about the time I began to explore the various options with regard to my mid-life transition. In fact, I had initially spotted an interesting review in the Entrepreneur magazine.
I managed to trace the publisher & had immediately ordered the first 100 copies for my debut bookstore. It became the best seller in my store for many years. Then came 'Cracking Creativity' a few years later as well as the accompanying brainstorming card deck, Thinkpak, to 'Thinkertoys'.
What impressed me most is not so much the creativity tools outlined in both books. In fact, the most productive learning experiences I got out of both books are a few very important things, which I would like to share with readers.
Let's take a look at Thinkertoys. In the Introduction, the author started off with a visual puzzle: 'Can you identify the figure below?'
Only by shifting your focus, you can then see the hidden word within the figure.
In the author's own words, "...by changing your perspectives, you can expand your possibilities..."
Let's move to 'Cracking Creativity'. In the Introduction, the author introduced a simple arithmetic equation: What is half of thirteen?
The subsequent passages as outlined in Part I: Seeing What No One else in Seeing, & Strategy I: Knowing How to See, by the author revealed the secrets to getting many possible answers (or perspectives) to the above equation.
No creativity tool outlined in the above two books (or elsewhere in the world, for that matter) can help you to become more creative until you fully understand - & appreciate - what the author is trying to drive home in his two books.
In a nut shell, it basically boils down to one important thing: Use - & enhance - your power of vision! or power of observation!
The author may not be the first person to postulate this crucial aspect of creativity.
I would consider Leonardo da Vinci to be the first person to have understood & practised it religiously. He said, among a few other things, LEARN TO SEE THE WORLD. In fact, he put a lot of emphasis on using your senses, especially your sense of sight.
Edward de Bono had also broached this valuable concept in his groundbreaking series of lateral thinking books, starting with 'Mechanism of Mind' in the 70's.
I have always believed that you can't do things differently until you can see things differently.
Learning to see the world anew & from different perspectives is imperative if one wants to be more creative.
According to de Bono, creativity starts at the perceptual stage of thinking. He terms it, First Order Thinking. He added very beautifully: "This is where our perceptions & concepts are formed, & this is where they have to be changed. Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic."
The creativity tools, whether they are from the author's books or elsewhere, will then automaticlaly fall into place & make more sense when you have first exercised your power of vision or observation.
Using any tool is a piece of cake, but changing one's perception - & maintaining fluidity of perception as well as having multiple perceptions - takes concerted efforts.
It is also important to take note that when things (or tactics) don't seem to work out as planned, always remember to check out your observations of the world first. Simply ask:
- what do you CHOOSE to see?
- where do you DIRECT your attention?
The second most productive learning experience I got from the above two books is realising that all thoughts are simply feats of association &/or juxtapositions - & the crux of creativity (in fact, also learning) are making associations &/or juxtapositions. [Tom Peters, in his wonderful book, Liberation Management, drives home with this insightful nugget: "The essence of creation - in all endeavours - is chance connections between ideas and facts that are previously segregated. Entrepreneurship is the direct by-product of chance, of convoluted connections among ideas, needs and people." According to Leonardo da vinci, everything is connected to everything else. My question: CAN YOU SEE IT?] The creativity tools outlined by the author are specifically designed for this purpose.
The third most productive learning experience for me is understanding the differential between productive & reproductive thinking. To paraphrase the author: "...in productive thinking, one generates as many alternative approaches as one can, considering the least as well as the most likely approaches...in contrast, reproductive thinking fosters rigidity of thought..." More relevant aspects about the significance of & more specific strategies to develop productive thinking are excellently covered by the author in 'Cracking Creativity'.
To end this review, & in the light of what I have written, I would consider the author's two books as the dynamic duo...to be among the best in the genre! It will be really worth your while to get & carry the Thinkpak in your pocket at all times.
Great.......2006-10-19
ThinkPak is 56 individual cards used to create new and innovative ideas. Not only can the cards be used individually but also with groups, co-workers, teammates, family, children, etc. First let me demystify ThinkPak, ThinkPak is basically the technique of SCAMPER, but with some great additions. If you have not read the books Thinkertoys, or Cracking Creativity, SCAMPER is merely a way to create new ideas.
SCAMPER
S = Substitute?
C = Create?
A = Add?
M = Modify
P = Put to other uses?
E = Eliminate?
R = Rearrange or Reverse?
You merely get an idea or a problem and expand on them using the individual SCAMPER cards. In addition, you then can evaluate your ideas with the "evaluation" cards. Sound simple? Yes it is, but all too powerful!
Let me also start by properly labeling how the cards are separated, and put together into 4 different uses. From the ThinkPak booklet,
Card No. 1 is an easy -reference list of the nine principle strategies.
Card No. 2 outlines the basic techniques for using ThinkPak.
Cards No. 3 through 47 are idea stimulators, i.e. SCAMPER
Cards No. 48 through 56 are techniques that help you evaluate your ideas. i.e. "evaluation" cards
What makes the cards very nice is they are sort of "bullet-items" for SCAMPER, so the cards can do the walking. One side of the cards is some creative diagram visually labeling the card sets (just visual, nothing to use). The backside of the cards is where the information is. All of cards are numbered and the cards are filled with questions and examples, useful to understanding and using SCAMPER.
ThinkPak also comes with a small 61-page booklet with instructions on how to use the cards. The booklet is also great, I have read both of Michael's books and the little ThinkPak booklet gave me some new examples on how to use SCAMPER. Also in the booklet Michael gives some great examples on how people used ThinkPak in real life creative situations. There is a lot more in the booklet as well, including an area on how to use ThinkPak in-groups.
Lotus Blossam is also mentioned in the ThinkPak booklet. Another one of my favorite techniques for creating new ideas. Lotus Blossam is merely a special diagram you draw on a piece of paper that you expand your ideas with. You merely start with a central idea and you expand it outward from a central starting point. The diagram is expanded and is shaped somewhat like a flower (although with squares), hence the name Lotus Blossom. For an in-depth explanation of the Lotus Blossom, check out Cracking Creativity. One of my all-time favorite books, and a great addition to ThinkPak.
Two minor, but noteworthy quivers that I do have concerning the ThinkPak card deck.
No. 1 problem is the size of the individual cards. The cards measure at about 3" x 4 3/4" in size. This makes the cards rather bulky and not extremely pocketable. I would like to have seen the cards been a little smaller in size, something akin to regular playing cards. There is a lot of text on the cards and this is the possible reason for the size? The cards are a little large, but they are handleable. However, they are great size for business groups, or group brainstorming. They can be easily scattered on a table and then selected by your group, or thrown into a box and shaken vigorously. I usually separate my card deck into two piles and then select individual cards. The evaluation cards (48-56) I use mainly after creating new ideas, so they are usually always separated from the main deck.
No. 2 problem is the cards are essentially thin paper. I was curious if the cards would be laminated or not, sadly they are not. I enjoy my cards so much I merely fixed this problem by laminating my cards. Your local Kinko's will laminate the cards. Kinko's offers two different types of lamination (light or heavy) for all sorts of cards, layouts, pictures, etc. Rather inexpensive to laminate but well worth the time and effort. Now my cards are practically waterproof, pocketproof, and childproof :-)
These are only minor complaints for ThinkPak! I love my card deck and I find them very helpful. I also have always liked SCAMPER, and find it very idea-friendly. With SCAMPER, evaluation cards, Lotus Blossam and other ways to create ideas, be prepared to have a notepad ready because ideas will come so fast you may not be able to write them down fast enough! Yeehaww!
Book Description
For scrapbookers looking to expand their craft, this guide is the perfect find, opening up new avenues to spark their creative drive. They'll find:
* Ways to use scrapbooking supplies to create amazing handcrafted cards for every occasion, from a new baby to the holidays
* A diverse spectrum of cards, appealing to a wide audience of tastes
* Projects utilizing common scrapbooking techniques, such as paper tearing, embossing, embellishing, and more
* Lists of necessary tools and materials for easy organization and planning
With 200 fun examples, along with step-by-step instructions for re-creating them, this book will have scrapbookers growing their skills and passions in new and exciting ways.
Customer Reviews:
love to craft.......2006-09-06
I am pleased I bought this book to add to my collection. The ideas are good and offers interesting suggestions to break our of your routine of making your usual cards. I have made and adapted a number of the cards and constanstly received rave reviews from the reciptants of my cards. Great buy, worth the money, have no problem recommending this book!
Card Making Review.......2006-03-20
This book is a great book with lots of colourful pictures to help you on your way or to help you mix and match. Paper sizes for the cards would have been a helpful addition for some of the cards. But all in all, a good book.
Book Description
Best-selling author MaryJo McGraw's newest book showcases how to create imaginative and artistic greeting cards from innovative materials. In this book, she branches out beyond her rubber-stamping roots to deliver to readers a whole new world of creative card making. Paper crafters, collage artists, weekend crafters and rubber stampers now can create unique greeting cards, announcements and invitations with beautiful papers and fanciful embellishments. A wide array of papers from around the world, amazing fabrics, ribbons, mica chips, foils, feathers, yarns, wax, embossing powders, store-bought tags, and many household and hardware store items comprise the list of interesting and unusual materials McGraw adopts for card-making purposes. Readers will also find: * An overview of basic folds and sizes of greeting cards * Information on weights, grains and varieties of paper and suitable adhesives * 8 basic card-making techniques demonstrated with corresponding step-by-step projects * Projects suitable for beginners and experienced crafters alike * Projects that can be completed in under an hour, some in ten minutes * A resource guide full of stores, magazines and web sites to help locate the materials used in the book Blending fun and "user-friendliness" with variety and creativity, McGraw encourages the reader to go beyond basic greeting cards to design one-of-a-kind projects.
Customer Reviews:
don't make the same mistake.......2006-04-18
Dear prospective owner,
This book is definitely artsy and collagey as per the other descriptions--in what I would describe as a Stevie Nicks-kind of way. That said, it is very helpful for the beginner cardmaker like me.
My only caution if you're stocking up on how-to books is not to make my mistake and also buy the Everything Crafts Create Your Own Greeting Cards (Ed. Courtney Nolan), because 80% of the material in this book appears there as well. Save your $$ and buy this one--it has full color photos throughout.
Great, easy art!.......2004-06-08
I like crafting very much. Greeting cards hold an especially dear place in my heart and I love to make them constantly. Just about everyone I know has received at least one homemade greeting card from me at one time or another. So yes, I'm always on the lookout for new books on the subject. This one, I have to say, is great!
It has innovative projects rnaging from the colorful, really creative ones to subtler, more elegant ones. There really is one for everyone and the instructions are very clear, detailed and, simple to follow. No crafter, regardless of skill, will have any trouble completing any of these cards.
The authors did a great job of writing this book. Also worthy is the creative use of rather unusual materials (for a card at least). I've been working with paper for a long time now and it still helped move some things inside of me which helped me come up with a whole set of new ideas on how to work and what to do. The pictures are great, you'll enjoy them and they'll inspire you to create some new, totally different projects of your own.
This is one book you'll definitely enjoy.
Cards redefined as artistic masterpieces to give or keep.......2004-03-12
The first word that came to mind when I saw the projects in Making Greeting Cards with Creative Materials was "artsy". The next word was "collage". I think those two concepts neatly sum up the style and involvement level you can expect from this multimedia craft book.
Author MaryJo McGraw is clearly an experienced artist who has explored many techniques, but whose first love is obviously the paper arts. Although this is a book on greeting cards, there were a lot of projects that would work on a different scale for other purposes, such as embellishing scrapbooks; and many of them could be frame able art in their own right. The designs and color choices reflect rich, muted tones and multilayers of materials such as fibers, charms, gold leaf, wires, inks, watch pebbles, beads, punches, stamped papers and photos. Often the card shapes and closures are not the standard rectangular format. The processes are carefully explained and illustrated as though to first-timers, but the results will make you look like a terribly sophisticated artist.
If you're hoping for ideas that would make for good quantity mailings such as invitations, be aware that most people would probably not have the time or money to make these cards in bulk: these are complex labors of love that are definitely not suited to mass production. Never once did I read a suggestion that the reader purchase ready-made embellishments or stickers, because the emphasis here is on handcrafting rather than time efficiency. For the crafter who has special, personal sentiments to express however, these are the ideal medium for that individual touch to the recipient.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle
Good for Beginners.......2004-02-26
This book is an excellent starting place for skill building.
Grandslam.......2002-07-03
I don't know how the woman does it, but MaryJo McGraw has produced another winner. One might think that by the fourth book, her ideas and designs might be repetitive, but McGraw's latest foray into the seemingly overly crowded subject of "greeting cards" shows that the well is still quite full.
The title says it all and the paper artist/craftsperson who is looking to expand their skill and designs they will be pleased with the concepts that McGraw presents in this well illustrated and clearly written guide. She takes you beyond rubber stamps and beyond cute...many of the designs are just downright art but on a smaller canvas. More than a few of the cards are just...well, they are just too cool for words.
If you want to make cards just out of your rubber stamps, don't buy this book. If you want to expand your creative possibilities and make cards out of some very interesting stuff, then you should buy this book.
If you want to make greeting cards that are "oh, so sweet" don't buy this book. If you want to make greeting cards (or adapt the designs for other paper arts projects) that will knock the socks off the recipient then buy this book right now.
Books:
- Cross Stitch Designs From India
- Double Cross: The Explosive, Inside Story of the Mobster Who Controlled America
- Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Signet Classics)
- Endgame Tactics: A Comprehensive Guide to the Sunny Side of Chess Endgames
- Essentials of Stage Management
- Fortune's Formula: The Untold Story of the Scientific Betting System That Beat the Casinos and Wall Street
- Giant Book of Sudoku: 1,001 Sudoku Puzzles
- Great Big Book of Children's Games
- Heroes, Rogues, and Lovers: Testosterone and Behavior
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- South American Handbook 2007: 83rd Edition
- Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on Paul's Letter to the Galatians
- Bridge of Light: Yiddish Film Between Two Worlds
- Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Volume One: 1919-1968
- Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Making
- Homeplace
- Flyfishing Alaska
- Japan's Financial Crisis: Institutional Rigidity and Reluctant Change
- Economics: A Tool for Critically Understanding Society
- Dalva
General
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Innovative Whack Pack
A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD: How You Can Be More Creative
A Kick in the Seat of the Pants
Roger von Oech's Ball of Whacks: A Creativity Tool for Innovators
Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition)
