Books for Creatives: 01

Hashmukh Kerai
4 min readJul 3, 2017

Reading was something I just never did when I was much younger, although as I began creating, I found it was necessary to surround myself with as much knowledge as possible, but doing it in a way that was away from the screen! I spend large amounts of time in front of a computer and it takes a toll on your mind and body. Getting away, in a quiet room, or coffee shop, park, garden, wherever you choose, escaping the busy world we live in and work is so important to staying fresh and creative. Here are some recent books I have been reading to keep those creative juices flowing and I highly recommend.

Steal like an Artist: Austin Kleon

This was one of the first creative books I picked up, mainly because of its size initially and it was recommended by a few. Austin Kleon is known mainly for his newspaper blackout work, and in this book he speaks about just getting started. We spend so much time thinking if we have that great idea, will it work or not, are people going to like it, and stifling yourself in that way is so unproductive. Just start making, “steal” as Kleon says, of which he talks about more the study of current artists work and taking ideas to another levels, injecting your style or way of making into them. You can check out Austin Kleon’s work here and buy the book here.

How to be a Graphic Designer, without losing your soul: Adrian Shaughnessy

This one is basically a manual for graphic designers starting out. Its packs with great tips like, finding work, starting a studio, creative processes along with many interviews from top designers. An absolute must read for any design graduate for sure. You can buy the book from here.

The crossroads of should and must: Elle Luna

This book remains to be one of my favourites, so powerful and expressive. Elle Luna talks about ‘should’ over ‘must’ and how we have to prioritise what’s actually necessary when making life decisions. She speaks about her amazing journey from working at a start up and seeming as if she had it all, but having a dream about a white room where she paints and follows the path of must in her goals to becoming an artist. It resinates with me still in my personal battles of should and must as a designer, writing blogs, making personal art are all my ‘must’ choices right now rather then what was a ‘should’ I do it? Will I be able to do it? You can find more of Elle Luna’s work here and the book here.

Sharpie artwork shop: Timothy Goodman

Timothy Goodman is known for his bold Sharpie art, mainly making fun doodle like murals and also collaborating with major designer Jessica Walsh. This book is a lovely guide to just that, and finding your inner child, taking yourself back to time as a kid when you would doodle and make without hesitation. That raw ability to just create is something I find we loose as we grow older, especially when you start making for others, we forget to let loose and spill your true thoughts and emotions onto the page. You can see more of Timothy’s work here and buy the book here.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any cool book recommendations for me! As always thats it for now, you can have a look over my work here. And pop over to my social networks too to see what I am posting on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Oh and don’t forgot, if you like this post then hit the heart icon and give me a follow to stay up to date with future posts. Keep creating!

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Hashmukh Kerai

Motion Graphic Designer | 3D Illustration. Brown boy from East London. Best thing since sliced Naan.