The moment I saw this book at the bookstore it put a big smile on my face. It was something about the clever cover in where the title is crossed out, it just made perfect sense. This proves even more the premise under which this book was written.

Author Austin Howe argues that designers find their inspiration through images more than words, I can easily see how this is true, but some times we require a source of inspiration for things other that coming with ideas for your next project. Sometimes we need a bit of reassurance, some sort of advice from a colleague to help us deal with everyday struggle of being a creative.

Reading this book is like quenching in a soothing balm of advice for the creative minds. It sheds light on issues that everyone has once asked but never really asked to anybody else. Asking for this advice is hard in real life, specially when all the advice comes from creatives that also have a hard time verbalizing their thoughts. As a veteran of the craft, Howe has an incredible insight on all the topics that are a concern to most of us; How to deal with clients, how to come up with inspiration, account people, and many other subjects are refreshingly presented in this book.

With chapters that take you between 0.5 and 9.5 minutes to read (we know this because Howe didn’t only write the book, he apparently timed himself reading it and added the time at the beginning of every chapter) there is no excuse not to pick up the book and read one chapter on a lunch break, or while you are waiting for your coffee at Starbucks.

I am pretty sure you will like the book, and will make you feel warm just like a sweet Caramel Macchiato.

Get it!