Greetings, everyone! Good to be in touch again. I’d like to shift gears a bit today and explore a topic related to architecture but not directly centered around it. If you’re interested in architecture books specifically, you can find articles discussing them in the posts Favorite Architecture Books and 7 Must-Have Architecture Books.
Recognizing the value of broadening our perspectives through literature, this article will feature recommendations for books outside the domain of architecture. These suggestions aim to inspire and broaden your horizons. So, if you could kindly set aside your pencil and paper for a moment, let’s embark on a journey into the captivating world of books!
Branding
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller is an inspiring book on how to build a strong brand and create effective messages for attract customers' attention. This book is written in language that is easy to understand and enjoyed by anyone.
One of the main benefits of this book for an architect is that it helps in building a strong personal brand. This book teaches us about the importance of identifying core values, mission, and uniqueness that differentiates us as architects. By clearly understanding and communicating a personal brand, an architect can build a strong reputation and attract the right clients.
Apart from that, this book also teaches about the importance of relationships with clients through stories. As architects, the ability to tell compelling and relevant stories can help us to connect with clients emotionally and better communicate the design vision. This book provides a practical framework for crafting strong stories.
This book also teaches the importance of simplifying our messages so that they are easily understood by clients. In the architectural services business, clear and simple messaging is critical to building trust and explaining the values we offer. This book provides useful strategies for crafting short, effective messages.
Business
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is an inspiring guide on how to start and grow a business with an innovative and resource-efficient approach. This book is presented in relaxed and easy to understand language, making it suitable for everyone, including architects.
Why is this book useful for an architect? Well, actually, the concepts explained in this book can be applied in the world of architecture too. This book teaches us to be more efficient and creative in designing and developing business.
One example of a principle in this book is applying a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for a product or service. In an architectural context, focus on the core features and functionality that are most important to the client, and build an initial version of the service with minimal cost and time. Then, get feedback from clients early on to continually improve and develop services.
Apart from that, this book also teaches about the importance of measuring and analyzing data in making decisions. Measure and analyze your business performance. Identify relevant key metrics, such as number of projects accepted, level of client satisfaction, or revenue generated. By collecting this data regularly, you can track business developments and know what is and isn't working. This allows you to make better decisions and direct efforts in the most effective direction.
Overall, The Lean Startup is a useful book for architects. From the application of MVP principles to the importance of data measurement and analysis, this book provides insight and is a useful tool in developing architectural firms more efficiently and innovatively.
Finance
Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel is a book that reveals interesting secrets and insights about money, in relaxed and easy to understand language. This book provides valuable lessons about the way we think about money and how our mindset influences our financial decisions.
One of the main benefits of this book for an architect is understanding the importance of looking at the long term and managing risk. We know that working as an architect, especially for those who have their own bureau, their income tends to fluctuate, depending on the projects they receive. This book provides insight into how to understand risk and make wise financial decisions for a better future. Apart from that, this book also teaches us not to get trapped in greed and the importance of being humble. This book provides a reminder of these things.
The book Psychology of Money provides a new perspective on money and helps us make better financial decisions. In the context of an architect, this book provides insight into managing fluctuating income, taking appropriate risks, and avoiding the temptation of greed. By understanding the psychology of money, an architect can build a strong foundation in managing finances and achieving career success.
Self Development
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a super useful guide for anyone, including architects. This is a book that teaches us how to change our lives by changing the small habits that we do every day.
Just imagine you are assembling Lego to build a house. You definitely need to think about every detail and plan carefully. So, in this book, we are taught to think about small details and make consistent small changes.
Apart from that, this book also tells you how to deal with challenges and obstacles that often arise at work. In the context of the architectural profession, for example, you have a tendency to do things when you have a tight deadline. Well, this book teaches you how to change those bad habits. Or how to manage time well so that the project runs smoothly. This book provides tips that can help overcome problems that arise and remain enthusiastic in facing challenges.
Another cool thing about this book is that it teaches us how to link habits to our identity. For example, someone who wants to form an identity as a 'healthy person'. He will definitely do many things to form that identity, such as not smoking, exercising diligently, eating healthy food and so on which can form his identity as a healthy person.
As architects, we can also build our identity. For example, we want to be known as an architect who is diligent and thorough in his work. By carrying out small habits continuously in accordance with the identity we want, we can achieve greater achievements and build a good reputation.
Atomic Habits is really a useful book. Starting from careful planning, facing challenges, to linking habits with our identity, this book provides tips that are easy to understand and that we can immediately apply in our daily lives.
Creativity
The book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is an inspirational work that invites readers to strengthen creativity in their lives by overcoming fear and doubt -doubt. Gilbert proposed a unique view of creativity, emphasizing the importance of adopting a bold and open approach to the creative process.
Gilbert invites readers to open their minds to the inspiration that comes from the universe, and how to understand that creative ideas can "visit" us suddenly and unexpectedly. Gilbert also discusses the importance of giving yourself permission to create without having to seek the approval of others. He emphasized that creativity is a fun activity and should not always be measured by commercial success.
Overall, the book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear provides great benefits for architects by inviting them to find courage in their work, providing practical guidance in facing challenges, and restore pure creative passion. For architects who want to embrace their creativity with a lighter and more passionate spirit, this book is a great source of inspiration.
"Steal Like An Artist", "Show Your Work!" & "Keep Going" - Austin Kleon
These three books by Austin Kleon are inspirational books that are very useful for architects and other creative workers. In Steal Like an Artist, Kleon teaches the importance of getting inspiration from other people's work, not by plagiarizing, but by stealing ideas and combining them with our own unique creativity. This book invites architects to dare to think outside the boundaries and explore hidden creative potential.
Show Your Work is a valuable guide for architects to understand the importance of sharing the creative process and development of their work with the world. Kleon emphasizes that nothing is more valuable than the creative process itself, and that by sharing ideas and projects, architects can build connections with fellow professionals, potential clients, and the wider community. This book encourages architects to dare to show their work with humility and transparency, thereby expanding the reach of their influence and inspiration.
Meanwhile, in the book Keep Going , Kleon provides guidance on how to remain creative and productive in the face of challenges and failure. This book is especially relevant for architects who are often faced with project pressure, tight deadlines, and creative fatigue. Kleon invites architects to remain persistent in carrying out the creative process, appreciate rest time, and adapt to changes that occur. This book provides inspiration and support for architects in maintaining enthusiasm and focus in their careers and creative lives.
Overall, these books provide practical and inspiring guidance for architects to embrace their creativity, share their work with the world, and remain persistent in the face of challenging creative journeys. With a relaxed yet enlightening approach, Austin Kleon's works will help architects find inspiration, develop skills, and find meaning in their work as creative professionals.
Other
The book Goodbye Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki is an inspiring guide that invites readers to free themselves from the burden of unnecessary items in their life. everyday life. With a light and honest writing style, Sasaki shares his experiences about how he adopted a minimalist lifestyle that comes from Japanese culture.
For architects, this book can provide many valuable benefits. First, this book teaches the importance of simple and functional design. By eliminating unnecessary elements, architects can create spaces that are cleaner, organized, and efficient. The concept of minimalism illustrated in this book can be applied to interior and exterior design, helping to create a comfortable and calming environment for residents.
Secondly, this book also encourages architects to focus more on the core values and goals behind each project. By considering the true needs of clients and the environment, architects can create designs that are more relevant and have a positive impact. The author's experience of freeing oneself from material goods also inspires architects to look for creative and innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability and meaningfulness.
Overall, the book Goodbye Things: The New Japanese Minimalism is a rich and valuable source of inspiration for architects. From minimalist design concepts to the importance of prioritizing core values, this book opens up new views on how architects can create spaces that are more functional, relevant, and have a positive impact on society. By reading this book, architects are invited to reflect on their role in creating a better and more meaningful environment for everyone.
Now, you have a new reading list that will open your horizons beyond the world of architecture. Become a more inspired and creative architect by diving into the various knowledge from these books. Happy reading, and hopefully fresh ideas will flow into your works!
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