Teach What You Know

I just finished reading the excellent ‘Show Your Work’ by Austin Kleon — a New York Times Bestseller. The tagline perfectly describes the premise: 10 ways to share your creativity and get discovered. If you are an artist, maker, entrepreneur or creative, I highly recommend it.

It’s a book about ‘self-promotion’ for the very people who hate that phrase. An alternative treatise on how to “be findable”. Kleon writes delightfully, with wit, insight and intelligence. He points out that successful people no matter their profession aren’t out “schmoozing at cocktail parties, they’re too busy for that”. Too busy creating, working hard, crafting their next project. But crucially, they don’t keep their ideas, thoughts and methods to themselves — they share their knowledge and what they’ve learned. They don’t do ‘networking’ but take advantage of the network. The network they’ve built by being open, generous and willing to share.

In one of the chapters called ‘Teach What you Know’, Kleon espouses the benefits of sharing your process. He encourages us to be brave, not to be afraid to share trade secrets. Talk about a craft or skill you’ve learned, a technique you’ve mastered, tools that you use, and the knowledge that comes with your job. “The minute you learn something, turn around and teach it to others”, remarks Kleon. “Share your reading list. Point to helpful reference materials.”

This way of thinking isn’t new — Maya Angelou the African American writer and poet said: “When you learn, teach when you get, give”. The theoretical physicist, Richard Feynman said “If you want to master something, teach it. A great way to learn is to teach”.

This philosophy will be the ongoing theme of the Lands blog. I hope to impart some of the knowledge I’ve learned in the design industry over the last 20 years. I’ll share news about the studio, my process, techniques and strategies I utilise. I’ll share interesting articles from other sources, write opinions and make recommendations — what I’m reading, watching and listening to.

I hope that the content will start a conversation — I want to hear your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. And please ask questions. If you want to know anything about design, strategy or positioning, or an honest appraisal of your logo, or how design might add value to your business, please ask. And with your permission, I’ll use the blog to answer those questions as best I can. You can contact me at brian@lands.ie.

Austin Kleon is an author who writes about creativity. He has written four books to date: Keep Going, Show Your Work, Steal Like an Artist and Newspaper Blackout. His work has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Forbes and on PBS. He lives in Austin, Texas, and you can find out more at austinkleon.com.

Learn/Teach illustration by Austin Kleon taken from ‘Show Your Work’.

Brian Byrne is a graphic designer and founder of Lands.

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