Steal Like An Artist

Hello everyone! 
 This week, I'd like to talk about a book I am reading for one of my classes at Parkland. The book's name is, Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. In all honesty, I have never been much of a reader; I could never sit down and find time to read and it had to be something I really enjoyed. This book is definitely one I enjoy reading!
 My first impression of the book is obvious, I love it.  I really like how the book is in first person, it makes me feel like the author is talking to me in my head. I also really enjoy the attitude the author has towards the subject; you can tell he is experienced in what he is doing and that he wants to help teach others.
In the beginning of the chapter he describes stealing like an artist with metaphors/similes to better explain why it is this way; I found it enjoyable and helpful. Everything I have read so far, I have found interesting and helpful. It was really hard to put the book down!
In the first chapter, the author explains that no art in this world will ever be original because everything has already been created before. I think it is perfectly moral to steal others work.
As a designer, it is our jobs to “reanimate” the ideas we steal from others to add our own personal spin on it and to not just simply plagiarize someone’s idea. Kleon is right when he says that nothing is original, there have been to many time periods and millions of people who have already been on this planet to discovered everything already.
I know you are probably asking yourself, isn't originality more valued in artwork? In a way, originality is valued in art because it would be extremely boring if the same idea was repeated over and over. That is why it is important for me to find a way to “authenticate” my work by creating my own spin off of ideas I have “stolen” from other artists.
Something talked about in chapter one of the book is that designers need to be good collectors when it comes to stealing ideas. By getting a file/notebook to keep all the “stolen” ideas in, I can become a great collector.
I already try to keep a sketchbook or notebook on hand so I can jot down any ideas or inspiration I stumble across, but I want to get better at making sure I always have one on me. I keep all of my sketchbooks and notebooks in my desk so that they are easily accessible and not forgotten.
I also store files on my computer, because it is very common of me to research on google or just browse for fun. I often save links on a google doc titled "Inspiration" so I can reach them anywhere and I scroll through Pinterest all the time as well.
 Page 13 of the book talks about "climbing" your own family tree, which he describes as picking a "thinker" that I love and studying everything there is to know about them. Then, study the 3 people who are your thinker's thinkers. I have been looking around the internet a lot lately at different designers work. Chuck Anderson is one that I'd say is my favorite and I really look up to.

 Above is a design Chuck did for Madcap Coffee in Grand Rapids, MI. The design really caught my interest because it is a mural made for the men's bathroom, which is a very unique project; no coffee shop I have been to has bathroom murals. 

Chuck is most know for his vivid and colorful designs and he is the owner/founder of  NoPattern studio in Chicago. My goal is to be able to put more detail in my work like he does and also to bring my designs to life with color when appropriate (also like what he does).

I have already sticky-noted 3 or 4 quotes in the book, but my favorite by far is, “Garbage in, Garbage out,” by Austin Kleon’s mom. He explains that she would tell him he was only as good as the stuff himself with. I really found this quote true because as humans we are constantly absorbing what is around us and everything that is going on.
When I put myself around art, look through design magazines, watch plays, listen to music (basically around anything that is considered art), I really start to feel inspired; that is when I come up with some of my best ideas. Also, I believe that all the world's best wisdom comes from your mother/father or grandmother/grandfather because you hold onto it forever.

Thanks again for listening me drone on and on about all my views as a graphic designer. 
Its been real,
Lindsey :)