Creative Endurance

This is right up my alley, and it's the perfect book for any creative as it's got the practical advice, tips and guides and above all, visual appeal.

I mean, this book is so beautiful and vibrant you can't help but dive into the activities at the end of each chapter.

Split into four key aspects of the creative's life: Your Day, Your Project, Your Job, and Your Life.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Thank you, Rockport Publishers, for the advance reading copy.

This book is what I needed the entire time! I get too invested and involved in my work that I tend to get overwhelmed and demotivated most days. However, seeing the different perspectives of different professionals from different walks of life which is provided in clear and constructive tips I find this compilation to be life changing. You will know what I mean when you read just two pages. It’s so well planned and full of interesting ideas to follow.

I say no one stays motivated and creative all the time. This book is definitely for all of us, young or old, who needs a refresher on how we can enjoy at what we do.

Infographics, typography, information. This book has it all.

The author really has a passion for layout and design. That comes across in the book. It feels somewhere between a magazine and a workbook, with article snippets and interviews with other creative professionals, meanwhile there are activities and for you to use what you’ve learnt to give you the option to think whilst you read.

You could easily pick a chapter and work through something which is relevant to you. There isn’t the pressure to read from start to finish. They disruptive style almost discourages you from doing this.

The illustrations are charming, very much of the last 5 years of digital marketing. Blocky figures, textured shading. It feels familiar, accessible. It’s reminiscent of Men’s Health Magazine, only it focuses on training the creative muscles.

The examples are inspirational, focusing on strong storytelling skills, often on the subject of happenstance, which can be a little tricky to recreate in real life. It’s not every day you’ll be walking down the street ready to high five the mayor who will link you in to directing a political campaign. Likewise you may not be up for chucking a 150cm logo into a river.

The voice is very friendly, with a laddish culture. ‘Hire people you can hang with’. Having said that, it has emotional intelligence. The author is aware that creatives are sensitive souls, and he give empathy, it’s the ideal book for a creative that’s growing, needs someone to pick them up when they’re inside themselves, feeling a bit rough, need someone to tell them that their project failure isn’t the end of the world. Stick it in your portfolio and get going again.

It ticks all the boxes. Highly recommended. (Professional artist)

Creative Endurance by Mike Schnaidt is a propelling book/guide which showcases a diverse array of creatives and their experiences overcoming and combatting obstacles in their industries. Alongside teaching the reader these creatives experiences, this book is actionable and pushes the reader to integrate core skills into their own journeys.

Upon beginning this book I was immediately struck by how many people were interviewed, in different careers, with different life circumstances and with different experiences. This makes the book accessible to all creatives not just to those in the art and design industry.

As a creative individual myself, I found the relatable tips very proactive. I took notes from the book to use in my own personal creative journey. It was also inspiring to hear from so many different people.

I can’t fault this book/guide because it is relatable to everyone, no matter their industry or goals. I highly recommend this book to everyone, thank you to Mike Schnaidt, Quarto Publishing Group - Rockport Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.

This book had many applications as a writer and artist. I enjoyed the style of the book and interviews with several creatives. I will definitely be purchasing my own copy and returning to it, again and again.