The Shape of Ideas: An Illustrated Exploration of Creativity

What a lovely book! I haven't ever read one like it, as comic books are not my usual genre, and this author is a very talented comic creator. It is clever, witty, sensitive, funny, and frank. There are many pages I want to share with people I know, like I would if they were on FB or some social media. I love the Needles and Haystacks one because it feels so true for me. Sometimes I can't seem to find the right haystack, or any haystack. Other times, it feels like there is one that is all needles and I fell into it accidentally, not even looking for any hay. I am a creative person too, although I have never stopped before to reflect upon where my ideas come from or how they develop. It's a very interesting thing to do. I just love this, going to share with all my friends. Appropriate for kids too, would make a really nice gift, as you never know where inspiration will strike, as the author so deftly points out to us. Besides the really thoughtful conceptual comics, the illustrations are just fabulous. I want to cut some out and put them on my fridge. I think I will if I can figure out how to make that happen from my Kindle copy. Please write more Grant Snider. You have a new fan!

I finally returned my shamefully overdue copy of The Shape of Ideas to the library and bought one for myself. Partly because, being a lifetime cartoon fan and doodler, I wanted to add it to my cartooning collection—but mainly because it is just flat-out wonderful. Here’s why: Beautiful design and coloring. Elegant writing, with delightful plot twists, rhymes and wordplay, and a sprinkling of fairy dust. Sly, charming visual jokes all over the place (if you look closely). In total, a marvelous meditation on the creative process. Encouraging, funny, honest and brave. Here’s just a sampler of my many, many favorite cartoons: Me and the Muses (p. 18-19) Hitting a Wall (p. 34) Snail’s Pace (p. 80) Sketchbooks of the Pros (p. 94) Partly Cloudy (p. 130-131) (Even the titles are little gems!) What else can I say? Buy The Shape of Ideas for yourself and any other creative, thoughtful person you know.

This has become an instant classic for me. I borrowed it from a library and had to buy it before I finished reading it. The drawing is beautifully simple and whimsical, yet, it amplifies the writing perfectly. I found myself smiling at the illustrations, and nodding and saying "oh yes" out loud at the insights. This is not just book of cute platitudes and useless affirmations. Sometimes Snider goes into scary territory when it comes to fears and the darker thoughts of the creative class. Snider cuts right through all the bloated text of most self help books and gets right to the point. He is pithy and succinct. I love that.

Yees

I recently got the book "The Shape of Ideas." It is delightfully brilliant with a wonderful combination of humor, insights, fantasy, reality and great cartoon drawings. As an artist, art educator and author I found it especially fascinating and creative.

This book changed my life. It’s a creators best friend and motivator. His art work really gives you advice and calms your nerves. I’m so glad I got this book. It softens your heart and helps you see things diffently. This is The “who moved my cheese “ of comics. Every business person needs this b

I get regular postings for the comic, "Incidental Comics" by Grant Snider on my Facebook news feed so I was so happy to get a bunch of them in book form! A lovely book for an "creative type" or anyone, really. The comics are interesting as well as thought-provoking. Highly entertaining, good, clean stuff.

I have been enjoying Grant Snider's work online for a couple of years now. I consider him to be a fantastic visual poet, and love how he plays with words and concepts. When this book was announced I pre-ordered 4 copies through Amazon right away. I gave each of my 3 adult children a copy. I think you will love his work and be glad you purchased this book.

Very relatable and humourous, Grant Snider takes you through a full journey of creativity with simple but evocative illustrations. This had me laughing out loud multiple times.

Creative and inspiring

This man, Gary Snider is amazing. It isn't meant to be self help or bibliotherapy as such (about creative process*) but you will definitely gain those benefits as well as have a wonderful read. Going through this book, even if you are NOT in a stuck phase or feeling a little down, you WILL feel happy, enlightened, not so alone and elevated. We all have either some repressed OR repressive feelings. These astute illustrations and captions are like a dose of some spiritual medicine . They help you put a finger on feelings and experiences and conceptualize them. Encouraged by the author's diligence and skillful work, one starts, you will start to pay attention to your own thoughts, feelings and look for metaphors for your own experiences. The picture I posted says, shows how you will feel. I felt my feelings valid and validated. (Even if you say you don't need outside approval or validation, you don't, it's a kind of self validation) I feel a little like a WhatsApp meme anyway here goes. words of wisdom: Your feelings are valid. You are allowed to enforce boundaries. You do not need anyone else's approval. You are amazing. You are enough. (That's what I came away with) Good Buy Great Read! *Snider describes his work as “self-help for myself.” It’s a breakdown of the composite parts of “genius”: 1% inspiration, 29% perspiration, 5% improvisation, 8% aspiration, 7% contemplation, 15% exploration, 13% daily frustration, 11% imitation, 10.9% desperation, and 0.1% pure elation, according to his opening panel. “I hope this book will provide some insight into the creative process,” Snider writes in his introductory letter to the reader. “I hope you can relate to the joys and pitfalls of creativity. Most of all, I hope this book encourages you in your own search for ideas.”

This book is really brilliant, the author explores all the creative areas and aspects very well. I read it as soon as I got the book. I can't really say it's inspiring, but it sure make you feel comforted reading it. A must have!

Para mí es un poco como poesía visual, es inspirador y te ayuda a reflexionar. La edición está muy cuidada. Yo recomendaría ver los cómics del autor en twiter antes de pedirlo. Tardó un poco más de llegar que lo prometido, aunque si avisaron que habría un retraso.