Product Description
Praise for the Do-It-Yourself Lobotomy “Here, at last, is the perfect book for anyone passionate about becoming a better creative thinker. Tom Monahan’s thinking methods make it fun, simple, and easy to discover new and better ways of generating bigger and fresher creative ideas. It’s like running away with the circus.”
– Roberto Wilson, Creative Director, Advertising and Graphic Design, Cirque du Soleil “Tom Monahan’s techniques for creative problem solving are simple and memorable. Whether you’re brainstorming solo or in a group, these exercises will help you move quickly and productively toward innovative solutions.”
– Eric Erickson, Director, Creative Services, Targ… More >>
The Do It Yourself Lobotomy: Open Your Mind to Greater Creative Thinking
Comments
Authored by a repeatedly self-described creative genius, this looks at how new ideas build businesses and how you can use his service marked techniques to do it too. No great ideas, but the section on how to present work is worth the price (when discounted). (45)
I’d try “Cracking Creativity” first for great techniques.
Rating: 4 / 5
The author, Tom Monahan, was the cofounder and former creative director of Leonard/Monahan and is now President and Head Creativity Coach of Before and After, Inc. With a client list that includes names like AT&T, ABC Sports, The Wall Street Journal, McDonalds, Sears and others you know that he has a proven track record.
In this book he takes the reader through a series of techniques to break through the rust of thinking the way you always have in the past and open new directions in creative thinking. Whether looking for a truly different solution to a problem, a unique way to open a new market, or anything else that requires a new approach this book will teach you to break loose from old patterns and embrace new ideas that you never knew existed.
A truly enlightening piece of work, you will not be disappointed. Access your creative self and see how it changes your world or at least your perception of it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Brining big ideas to my job is now easier than ever. In an entertaining manner this book helps to codify a process that is almost impossible to contain and explain. The author first breaks down the creative “process” then gives the reader easy to learn, simple to use thinking tools to help jump start the imagination when you need to. I’ve used many of the suggestions and methods and they have helped me go beyond the same old ideas in my category. My supervisor is amazed at my new found resource. The chapters about brainstorming, selling and managing for more creativity could have been books of their own. I’ve seen nothing like it in other books on creative thinking. I’m not sure why this book has been bashed by a few readers. Maybe advertising types believe they already know this. I’ve been on the business side of health care for 17 years and this is a very refreshing, effective way to think.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book takes a down-to-earth approach to an elusive subject, with lots of real world examples of how unmysterious creativity can be in everyday life and in business. It’s fun to read. Lots of inspiration. Yes, the “thinking tools” are a bit contrived, but I think that’s the author’s point; when you’re stuck, and inspiration isn’t coming, maybe a little calculated thinking is what’s needed. I have already used some of these thinking methods with great success, but the guidance and motivation has been even more valuable. I’d love my boss, coworkers and clients to read Lobotomy.
This is not an advertising book, as the author states and shouldn’t be judged that way. It’s a book about creative thinking that can be applied to anything – even advertising.
Rating: 5 / 5
From an agency creative’s point of view, this is a terrific book, whether you’re to the business or been in it a while. It’s full of real-world tools and techniques, and you can start using them right away. A lof of creativity books don’t give you hands-on things you can use RIGHT NOW. But this one does.
Maybe you’ve been doing some of this stuff already and didn’t really know it. Or know why. But if you’re not a CA/One Show/D&AD regular (and even if you are) this is a great book to read.
And Re-read.
Rating: 5 / 5