Creativity isn't magic. It's remixing what already exists—with your own twist.
In a world obsessed with originality, Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist is a breath of fresh air. It breaks the myth that creative genius comes from nowhere and replaces it with something more empowering: creativity is for everyone, and it starts by borrowing like an artist.
Whether you're a content creator, marketer, designer, or entrepreneur—this book offers ten transformative ideas that can reshape the way you approach your work. Let's break them down and see how they apply in the digital world today.
🎨Nothing is Original—and That's a Good Thing
Every great idea has roots in something else. Instead of chasing originality, start by collecting inspiration. Read widely. Watch everything. Pay attention. You'll start to notice patterns and ideas that you can remix into something new.
Pro Tip: Keep a "Swipe File"—a digital folder or notebook filled with ads, designs, captions, and creative pieces that inspire you.
SEO Tip: Curating trends and repurposing popular formats can actually boost engagement—just make sure to give them your own unique angle.
🧠Steal Thoughtfully, Not Lazily
The "steal" here doesn't mean copy-paste. It means study. Dissect your creative idols. Understand their process. Ask: What makes this work? What can I take away and make my own?
Example: Love Apple's ad design? Don't just mimic the look—study the minimalism, the emotion, the structure.
🔄Start by Imitating, End by Innovating
Learning through imitation is how we grow. Don't be afraid to copy at the beginning. The goal isn't to stay there—it's to evolve. As you practice, your own style will naturally emerge.
Pro Tip: Combine influences from different domains—like music, art, memes, and tech. That's where originality is born.
⚡Side Projects Are Secret Superpowers
Don't underestimate your weekend experiments or passion projects. The messy stuff often feeds the magic. Your best ideas may come when you're not looking for them.
Marketer's Insight: That meme page, hobby blog, or unfiltered Insta account? It's creative cross-training—and a content goldmine.
🎯Use Constraints to Your Advantage
No fancy tools? No problem. Limitations force creativity. When you have fewer options, you're more resourceful.
Real-world Application: Create a campaign with just 3 colors. Write a caption under 10 words. Film a reel using only your phone.
⚖️Be Boring (in Life) So You Can Be Bold (in Work)
Routine isn't the enemy—it's your creative foundation. Kleon says it best: "Take care of yourself, so you can take care of your work."
Pro Tip: Build daily habits like content batching, idea dumping, or digital detoxing. Protect your creative time.
📝Document, Don't Just Perform
People love to see the how, not just the what. Share your journey, mistakes, brainstorms, behind-the-scenes—this builds authenticity and connection.
Content Hack: Turn process into content. Screenshots, scrapped drafts, failed posts—they're all part of your story.
SEO Tip: "How we made it" or "Behind the brand" blog posts perform well for engagement and search rankings.
🤝Share What Inspires You
Don't gatekeep. Be the kind of creator who lifts others up. Share the books, artists, and quotes that shape your work. You'll build a more engaged, like-minded audience.
✏️Keep a Creative 'Analog' Space
Yes, the book suggests going offline. Doodle. Journal. Think on paper. Your best ideas often come when screens are off.
Pro Tip: Try morning pages or moodboards as part of your creative warm-up. It's old-school, but it works.
✂️Creativity Is Subtraction
You don't need more tools. You need focus. Simplify your work. Trim what's unnecessary. Stay true to your message.
🚀Final Thoughts
Steal Like an Artist isn't just a book—it's a mindset. It reminds us that creativity isn't about being a genius in isolation. It's about absorbing the world around you, remixing it, and showing up consistently.
If you're in content, design, strategy, or storytelling—this is required reading. Because in a noisy digital world, it's not about inventing from scratch. It's about creating with intent, curiosity, and clarity.
At The Social Triad, we believe every brand has a unique story to tell—and sometimes, that story starts by stealing like an artist.