The best designers develop multi-disciplinary skills, not just in the field of design but in many other areas such as marketing, sales, creativity, productivity, leadership, communication, money and do this through personal development and by always learning.

One of the best ways to do this is through reading books but what if you don’t have the time?

That’s where Blinkist comes in.

Blinkist is an app that summarises the key ideas from a bestselling nonfiction book in just 15 minutes.

You can get books in bitesize text form as well as audio which makes it easier than ever to find time to read. 

You literally get the golden nuggets from each book, without all the reading. 

It’s genius and I’ve been loving it and wanted to share it with you!

I’ve outlined the best Blinkist book summaries for designers & creatives below, so you can listen to 20 top-selling books in a variety of categories in a fraction of the time.

And the best news is that you can get a Free 7 Day Trial! After that, it is $9.99/month. 

 

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Top 20 Best Blinkist Book Summaries for Designers & Creatives

Marketing & Sales

• Purple Cow – Seth Godin
• What Great Brands Do – Denise Lee Yohn 
• Influence – Robet Cialdini

Creativity  

• Six Thinking Hats – Edward de Bono
• The Creative Curve – Allen Gannett
• Where Good Ideas Come From – Steven Johnson

Career & Success

• The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay Stainer
• The 5AM Club – Robin Sharma
• How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie

Personal Development

• Atomic Habits – James Clear 
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
• Mastery – Robert Greene

Productivity

• Getting Things Done – David Allen
• 4 Hour Work Week – Tim Ferriss
• Deep Work – Cal Newport

Communication

• Pitch Anything – Oren Klaff
• How to Talk to Anyone – Leil Lowndes

Money 

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
• Unshakable – Tony Robbins
• Think & Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

More information on each book is below.

 

Marketing & Sales

Purple Cow – Seth Godin

Traditional marketing can only take you so far in today’s business climate. This classic from Seth Godin does a tremendous job in explaining why brands need to carry an intrinsic difference to succeed in the modern world. As markets are saturated with numerous products and services, the need to stand out with clever marketing strategies is all the more warranted. 

If you’re looking to improve your marketing game, this is for you. 

 

Buy on Amazon:

 

What Great Brands Do – Denise Lee Yohn 

Branding is a complex process that requires skill, talent, empathy, and an innate understanding of why people believe in what they believe in. Subject-matter expert Denise Lee Yohn breaks down how she approaches projects and discusses what principles have gone into play in building brands such as Starbucks, Nike, and Apple. 

 

Buy on Amazon:

 

Influence – Robert Cialdini

As the name implies, Robert Cialdini’s Influence details the power and process of persuasion. The capacity to let people say yes or buy into an idea isn’t always instantaneous for everyone. If there’s anything we can learn from marketing and advertising, it’s that it takes skill and a good understanding of psychology to win someone over. Those looking to close deals and expand their clientele should definitely give these blinks a listen. 

 

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Creativity  

Six Thinking Hats – Edward de Bono

Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats isn’t precisely to highlight the number of thinking hats one should have. Instead, this book talks about how it’s important to categorize the way you think to help pick your brains more smoothly. In a world that demands so much of you, it’s only right for you to be able to think and feel aptly whichever space you find yourself in. You are many things to many people. Be exactly who people expect you to be and more with these particular blinks.

 

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The Creative Curve – Allen Gannett

We’re often told to keep honing our skills to better our performance, but do we truly become more talented, or do we only become more disciplined? Through these blinks, learn Allen Gannett’s findings on what the true nature of talent means and what creative geniuses have in common. Those looking to find and define their creative edge will love this. 

 

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Where Good Ideas Come From – Steven Johnson

Not too many people link creativity to the origins of humankind. Steven Johnson’s Where Good Ideas Come From tackles the history of science and the evolution of life on Earth. From how societies came to be to the emerging domination of the world wide web, Johnson details why the best ideas are formed out of the tiniest elements that make up daily living. If you’re looking for intelligent conversations starters or academic musings to help fuel your creative juices, these blinks won’t disappoint. 

 

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Career & Success

The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay Stainer

Michael Bungay Stainer’s The Coaching Habit discusses the importance of coaching and which elements of the process best wring the most effectiveness. These blinks also talk about the truest definition of coaching, veering away from its concept of advice-giving. Contrary to what many people think, coaching isn’t about telling what other people to do. Instead, it is about learning how to listen and guide others to the paths they excel in the most. If you’re one who manages pools of talent, let these blinks educate you about how you can better perform as a leader. 

 

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The 5AM Club – Robin Sharma

Robin Sharma’s The 5AM Club may sound like a podcast for breakfast enthusiasts, but it barely has anything to do with food. Rather, Sharma talks about how waking up early and using the first few hours of the morning help you increase not just your productivity throughout the day but also your creativity. If you’re looking for solid reasons to be a morning person, these blinks should offer you valuable insight into the power of creativity harnessed during sunrise.

 

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How to win friends & influence people – Dale Carnegie

At a time where influence is essentially a currency, Dale Carnegie’s How to win friends & influence people has never been more relevant. Despite being published in 1936, Dale beautifully articulates the science of winning friends and the power of persuasion. Although these blinks are perfect for anyone, those in sales and leadership positions will especially find this read useful and critical. 

 

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Personal Development

Atomic Habits – James Clear 

Our successes aren’t just the outcome of our talent and grit. They are the result of good practices and established processes that take time to master. James Clear’s Atomic Habits tackles how we can improve overall productivity when we take the time to notice and improve how we utilize our energy. As creatives and entrepreneurs, it’s essential that we go about life with intention and meaning. If you’re looking to begin work with a fresh perspective on scheduling ad braving your deadlines, this is for you. 

 

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7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey 

Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a classic that continues to shape how people deal with colleagues and challenges today. While the book was released long before the internet was as big as it is today, Covey’s words fitting and pertinent. Whether you’re looking to better your personal relationships or your professional connections, these blinks provide insight in more ways than one. 

 

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Mastery – Robert Greene

Robert Greene’s Mastery is a stellar resource on what it means to master healthy practices and valuable skills. With studies and interviews of some of the globe’s most respected talents, Greene details how one can control their life if only they master what’s critical in decision-making and connecting with others. If bettering your habits and becoming a stronger and wiser version of yourself is up your alley, this is for you. 

 

Buy on Amazon:

 

Productivity

Getting Things Done – David Allen 

In Getting Things Done, David Allen does a tremendous job in discussing why it’s critical to remain unbothered and unstressed in your journey to productivity. He details how it’s very much possible to maximize your available hours without getting overwhelmed or feeling overworked. If you’re one who isn’t the most skilled in multitasking and beating deadlines, give these blinks your attention. You’ll thank yourself later. 

 

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4 Hour Work Week – Tim Ferriss

Those who have an unhealthy distaste toward the consuming office life will adore Tim Ferriss’ 4-Hour Work Week. Tim tackles how escaping conventional corporate arrangements is possible when you increase your productivity levels and pick up an almost entirely source of passive income. For creatives looking to up their income streams and possibly leave the 9-to-5 for good, these blinks are for you. 

 

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Deep Work – Cal Newport

Cal Newport’s Deep Work is an interesting take on technology’s capacity to make us focus. He discusses how we can more effectively utilize technology and make it work for us if only follow the best strategies. Those who’ve struggled with time management will find these blinks to be a timely resource and a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t matter if you lead a team or singlehandedly spearhead projects. Cal’s words will benefit both leaders and teammates alike. 

 

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Communication

Pitch Anything – Oren Klaff

While Pitch Anything is for anyone in the creative space, entrepreneurs will especially love Oren Klaff’s 2011 offering as he discusses the psychology it takes to persuade others. Pitching ideas for future business ventures is one thing, but understanding precisely the science that goes behind convincing others is another. If you’re in the pitching stage of your business journey right now, take the time to go through these blinks. 

 

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How to Talk to Anyone – Leil Lowndes

Not everyone is a social magnet, and in the world of business and design, the ability to network is crucial to your success. This is why Leil Lowndes came up with How to Talk to Anyone. Through these blinks, you’ll learn how to communicate your thoughts better and reach out to other creatives. If you’re one who’s actively taking steps to be a better communicator and creative energy around others, this is for you. 

 

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Money 

Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad is crowd-favourite that’s endured generations. One of the most timeless books that talk about finances, Robert Kiyosaki’s words prove even more valid in today’s economy. No matter what industry you belong to, money generation is challenging, and to stay profitable and financially secure can be difficult. Those looking to better the way they approach their funds should definitely give these blinks a chance. 

 

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Unshakable – Tony Robbins

One of the more recent books on the list, Tony Robbins’ Unshakable is about learning how to navigate the economy’s treacherous waters. From making smart investments to becoming a more well-versed spender, Robbins talks about what leaders need to understand to remain successful and unbothered with their finances.  

 

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Think & Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

One of the most loved classics of all time, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich talks about how the world’s wealthiest people approach their finances. Published at a time when people were reeling from the Great Depression, this book is as just as relevant today as it was before. Whether you run a startup or manage projects and people, you’re going to love these blinks altogether. 

 

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Top 20 Best Blinkist Book Summaries for Designers and Creatives

Overall, Blinkist has a vast selection of books you can go through. From leadership to business and design to freelancing, the choice is yours. With summaries, you can skim through in minutes, do more, achieve more, and learn more much smoothly and effectively with Blinkist!