Robin Landa
Most professionals cannot generate a solid idea. They either offer up tired or reused ones, or they generate lots of ideas but none that are worth pursuing.
A great idea presents a well-formulated thought or plan of action that spurs growth, change, advancement, adaptation, or new insight. Worthwhile ideas move the needle; they change the playing field altogether.
The New Art of Ideas is designed to help readers consistently produce worthwhile ideas by becoming nimble and imaginative thinkers better equipped to compete and produce in a global economy. Robin Landa identifies the Three Gs of every good idea:
- Goal—Your vision for the end
- Gap—The underdeveloped area that your idea fills
- Gain—The overall benefits of your goal
With explanations and examples of each component, this book demystifies the process of effective ideation and hands you the key to unlock your creative potential.
I mentioned last month that Robin Landa had another book coming out in November. This one is The New Art of Ideas.
Most of us know that any idea worth pursuing takes time and energy. Robin takes us back to Napoleon Bonaparte, being interested in food preservation in 1795 and we move forward to look at other influential people.
This book does explain how sometimes the return on corporate investment is not simply financial—it is a gain for a community of people.
Avisar, CEO and co-founder of how Surgical Theater fills a gap in surgical practice, Coves Real Beauty Campaign, Expper Technologies’ Robin the Robot, David Chang's use of Asian flavors and fresh ingredients, Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strips are mentioned.
Lin-Manuel Miranda speaks about how he was on vacation when he came about the idea for Alexander Hamilton and his process is looked at through the lens of the three Gs as are the partnerships between Seth Tibbot with fellow entrepreneurs Hans and Rhonda Wrobel.
One of the key elements that many influential people use is observation and Robin provides some great exercises as well as a list of ways to go about finding goals, building habits, and why it matters. We see the importance of being flexible and that you really need to do your research as there are many useful products invented by accident.
Robin Landa tells brand stories, designs, teaches, and presents at international conferences. She has won lots of awards (The National Society of Arts and Letters, The National League of Pen Women, Creativity, New Jersey Authors Award, the Art Directors Club of New Jersey, Graphic Design USA, Rowan University, Kean University, Carnegie Foundation "Great Teachers of Our Time", and she was a finalist in the Wall Street Journal’s Creative Leaders competition) and has worn all-black since she was sixteen. She has written 23 books about branding, design, advertising, creativity, and drawing, including her first (but not last) children’s book, The Dream Box, illustrated by Modern Dog Design Co.
Robin’s numerous tomes include the bestseller Graphic Design Solutions, 5th edition, Essential Graphic Design Solutions, Build Your Own Brand, Advertising by Design, 2nd edition, Take A Line For A Walk: A Creativity Journal, and Designing Brand Experiences. You can read them in Chinese or Spanish, too.
With esteemed colleagues, Robin co-authored 2D:Visual Basics for Designers with Rose Gonnella and Steven Brower; Visual Workout with Rose Gonnella; and a set: Creative Jolt & Creative Jolt Inspirations with Denise Anderson and Rose Gonnella.
As a Distinguished Professor in the Robert Busch School of Design at Kean University, Robin appreciates the opportunity to mentor very talented people who are forbidden to check their phones while she’s lecturing unless they slip her some low-fat treats. Her students have gone on to successful visual communication careers.
Robin has developed brand stories, designed, and written copy for Lava Dome Creative, among other design studios and ad agencies. Now, as creative director of her own firm, robinlanda.com, Robin works closely with marketing executives and their companies and organizations to develop brand strategy and stories as well as enhance corporate creativity through seminars. If you want to reach her to discuss design or life, you can find Robin on Twitter: @rlanda or at robinlanda.com or at rlanda@kean.edu.