(Please allow 5 working days for shipping of UK orders, 14 for international)
The Creative Condition: 380 pages, signed paperback edition with Champagne and Wax Crayons: 234 pages, signed paperback edition.
The Creative Condition:
Without creativity, the human race could not have survived this long.
Despite astounding technological advances in the 21st century, we continue to misunderstand and undervalue its vital role in our education, societies, cultures, and industries.
What is creativity? How do we understand it and embrace our own to lead more fulfilling lives, revolutionise industries, and solve our problems?
Ben Tallon has spent his 16-year career exploring the many facets of creativity, having illustrated for The New York Times, The Guardian, UNICEF, and The Premier League since 2008, and hosting the weekly The Creative Condition podcast since 2016. Through a series of case studies, stories, personal experiences, and a broad range of interviews with leading voices in the creative industry – and those practising creativity far beyond – he presents a powerful, entertaining, expansive, and insightful biography of one of humanity’s greatest gifts.
Packed with the voices of neuroscientists, firefighters, reformed criminals, Olympic gold medal winners, teachers, artists, rock stars, psychologists, sensitivity experts, and more, The Creative Condition invites you to reflect on the significance of creativity in your life and its role in shaping the broader human experience.
‘This book will drive you to live, work, and create freely.’
Héctor Ayuso, founder, OFFF Festival
‘Engaging, humorous, approachable, and actionable.’ – Kyla Paolucci, Assistant Professor, St John’s University
‘In The Creative Condition, Ben shares an intimate and timely insight into the pivotal role of creativity, serving not only as a reflection of our identity but also as our guiding light during tumultuous times. In an era where hope might seem fleeting, he champions the wonder of our imagination, emphasising its profound ability to uplift our spirit and inspire transformative change in the world around us.’ – Katy Cowan, Founding Editor of Creative Boom
Champagne and Wax Crayons: Riding the Madness of the Creative Industries:
This is the story of Illustrator and art director Ben Tallon's journey from his childhood hobby of drawing, to a freelance career working with the world's most glamorous clients in illustration, graphic design, music, film and television. Detailing highs of securing dream client World Wrestling Entertainment and lows of unconventional methods of paying the tax bill, this humorous, brutally honest documentation of navigating the art world alone and breaking into new markets introduces the real side of the creative industry and what you need to do to make your way to the top. The creative industry is built on opinion, ideas and ever-changing trends. Individuality is everything and how each person responds to adversity, triumph and disaster especially in the freelance world is impossible to teach or understand. This original and engaging book contains savvy advice from someone who has survived the unpredictable and often surreal world of the creative industry.
‘The book the creative industry needed.’
Piers Roberts, DesignersBlock
‘A funny and informative guidebook for anyone wishing to break into the creative industries.’
Mark Rader, Director, Channel 4 & MTV
(Please allow 5 working days for shipping of UK orders, 14 for international)
The Creative Condition: 380 pages, signed paperback edition with Champagne and Wax Crayons: 234 pages, signed paperback edition.
The Creative Condition:
Without creativity, the human race could not have survived this long.
Despite astounding technological advances in the 21st century, we continue to misunderstand and undervalue its vital role in our education, societies, cultures, and industries.
What is creativity? How do we understand it and embrace our own to lead more fulfilling lives, revolutionise industries, and solve our problems?
Ben Tallon has spent his 16-year career exploring the many facets of creativity, having illustrated for The New York Times, The Guardian, UNICEF, and The Premier League since 2008, and hosting the weekly The Creative Condition podcast since 2016. Through a series of case studies, stories, personal experiences, and a broad range of interviews with leading voices in the creative industry – and those practising creativity far beyond – he presents a powerful, entertaining, expansive, and insightful biography of one of humanity’s greatest gifts.
Packed with the voices of neuroscientists, firefighters, reformed criminals, Olympic gold medal winners, teachers, artists, rock stars, psychologists, sensitivity experts, and more, The Creative Condition invites you to reflect on the significance of creativity in your life and its role in shaping the broader human experience.
‘This book will drive you to live, work, and create freely.’
Héctor Ayuso, founder, OFFF Festival
‘Engaging, humorous, approachable, and actionable.’ – Kyla Paolucci, Assistant Professor, St John’s University
‘In The Creative Condition, Ben shares an intimate and timely insight into the pivotal role of creativity, serving not only as a reflection of our identity but also as our guiding light during tumultuous times. In an era where hope might seem fleeting, he champions the wonder of our imagination, emphasising its profound ability to uplift our spirit and inspire transformative change in the world around us.’ – Katy Cowan, Founding Editor of Creative Boom
Champagne and Wax Crayons: Riding the Madness of the Creative Industries:
This is the story of Illustrator and art director Ben Tallon's journey from his childhood hobby of drawing, to a freelance career working with the world's most glamorous clients in illustration, graphic design, music, film and television. Detailing highs of securing dream client World Wrestling Entertainment and lows of unconventional methods of paying the tax bill, this humorous, brutally honest documentation of navigating the art world alone and breaking into new markets introduces the real side of the creative industry and what you need to do to make your way to the top. The creative industry is built on opinion, ideas and ever-changing trends. Individuality is everything and how each person responds to adversity, triumph and disaster especially in the freelance world is impossible to teach or understand. This original and engaging book contains savvy advice from someone who has survived the unpredictable and often surreal world of the creative industry.
‘The book the creative industry needed.’
Piers Roberts, DesignersBlock
‘A funny and informative guidebook for anyone wishing to break into the creative industries.’
Mark Rader, Director, Channel 4 & MTV
