Cover Image: The Innovator's Handbook

The Innovator's Handbook

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Member Reviews

Some people are born innovators, some achieve innovator status, and others need this book. For anybody afraid to step out of their comfort zone and create something new, this book provides the tools and the support required to take the first steps towards newness. New things can be scary, but the author's stories give examples of real scenarios and how the problems were tackled and solved.

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Groundbreaking? No, I wouldn't say that. Inspiring? Yes, it was. Helpful in any meaningful way? Only if acted upon. The author offers guidance, tips, examples and exercises, but in the end it's a process of innovation that each person has to work on and to work for.

It was a good read, even if the ideas and the information was not necessarily new.

Thank you!

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It is a very good book about innovation.
I got a review copy from @netgalley
Book is fast paced and at no point seems boring
It is a cute illustrated book.
It describes various techniques that can spark innovative ideas in a person and teams.
A recommended read for all creators and artists. Lots of stories from big brands like adidas, nike and Paperback of the book is excellent.
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This book was a pleasant surprise. I thought starting out that it was going to be a copy of Austin Kleon's books...BUT...it's not. Sure some of the same principles were mentioned, but this book has it's own unique twist on innovation and the creative life.

In the description, Hussain Almossawi, mentions his intent on writing this book... "While this book is by no means the ultimate guide to innovation, my aim is for it to spark your curiosity and get your engines started." I think this book succeeds in it's purpose in the first couple chapters.

I would recommend this book to any creative as a means to kick start their creativity and to push past barriers to improve creativity in general.

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I love reading nonfiction that inspires my creativity. The Innovator’s Handbook is an easy read designed to do exactly that. The author, Husain Almossawi, is a designer who has worked with world renowned brands such as Adidas, Nike, EA Sports and more. He wrote this book with the intent to inspire creativity - and more specifically - innovation in young creatives entering the design field.

With that said, I wish the intended audience wasn’t mentioned at the beginning of this book. It had me wondering if I should even bother reading it. I’m far from young and much further down the path of my career (which involves much more than design alone). Honestly, just about anyone in the professional world (young or old; just starting their career or nearing retirement) can benefit from knowing how to cultivate their creativity and become more innovative. So I read on!

Almossawi lays out some tried and true practices for developing innovative thinking. He backs these practices up with real life examples that he experienced in his design career. None of the practices are new concepts, however the examples he uses put them in perspective and are interesting to read. My absolute favorite is curiosity. Always ask questions. Childlike wonder is a wonderful thing if you want to create new and innovative ideas.

Two other things I liked about the book were the book suggestions Almossawi mentions throughout and an entire section of challenges at the end of the book to put the practices he mentioned to the test.

Overall, this was a good overview of creative practices and ways to become more innovative. It’s exactly what was promised. I made some notes as I read and will be sure to put some of these ideas to work as I continue to try to think outside of my box and do thing differently from how they’ve always been done. This book gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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