How to Be a Creative Thinker

"The hardest part of being creative lies in simply deciding to do so. And, after you've done that, Roya's astonishingly useful book is a great place to begin." Seth Godin, author of The Practice.

How to Be a Creative Thinker is a map to your creative mind, the places your creative potential resides, and the allies and enemies along the way. It's a practical guide to the science and the psychology of creativity and the conditions required for cultivating it. We think creativity is for those lucky enough to be born with it – something you either have or you don't. But this is untrue. Creativity is more than God-given talent, and it's more than artistic flair. It's the ability to come up with a new idea in any area or setting. And most importantly, it can be learned by anyone. In How to Be a Creative Thinker, professional creative and strategic designer Roya Azadi teaches you techniques to encourage creative thinking and shows how you can unlock your creative potential. She reveals that technology is inhibiting our ability to daydream and explains why this headspace is so important if you want to "catch a live one". You'll learn to not fear failure by understanding that it's actually fertile ground for creativity. Throughout the book there are interviews, quotes, explainers and activities to inspire creative thought along the way. By the end of the book, you'll be bubbling with creative force to take out into the world and make real change. The Survive the Modern World series tackles big subjects in a fun and digestible way. The tone is frank and chatty, but the content is comprehensive. Upskill and expand your knowledge with these accessible pocket guides.

Roya Azadi is a New Zealand born, Melbourne-based strategic designer. She's worked with organizations like World Vision, the United Nations and Google as a researcher and strategic designer, spent a number of years in award-winning creative advertising agencies, has lectured in strategy and storytelling and contributed to publications like VICE and Interview magazine across Melbourne, New York and London. Most recently she is working with both public and private sector clients to co-design solutions to issues they face in an uncertain world – work that requires us to create an environment and provide the tools where those we work with can find the dormant creativity inside to co-create solutions to their own challenges.