Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
26th out of 156 books
—
216 voters
How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum
by
Keri Smith (Goodreads Author)
From the author of Wreck This Journal, an interactive guide for exploring and documenting the art and science of everyday life.
Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists an...more
Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists an...more
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
October 7th 2008
by Perigee Trade
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
I think Keri Smith is set out to make everyone a hoarder. Nah, I kid, I kid. Granted, this book involves A LOT of collecting of items but what it's mostly about is being more a part of the world. I've been realizing this a lot lately, looking at things that I wouldn't normally look at, looking at things, sounds, smells, experiences in ways I wouldn't normally look at them. It's about being more present and aware.
If I can recommend this book to anyone it would be to fellow aspiring writers. To b...more
If I can recommend this book to anyone it would be to fellow aspiring writers. To b...more
A few friends were given this journal of sorts in a Foundations Art program at Alfred University. I decided to pick it up to see what might be inside.
I feel this text is for the stunted artist, perhaps one that needs faith in self to become an artist or the wayward youth unfocused. Perhaps it is right to give this text to those beginning their academic adventure into the art world, but I feel that having made the great leap to decide on going to college for art, the text may seem trivial, mundan...more
I feel this text is for the stunted artist, perhaps one that needs faith in self to become an artist or the wayward youth unfocused. Perhaps it is right to give this text to those beginning their academic adventure into the art world, but I feel that having made the great leap to decide on going to college for art, the text may seem trivial, mundan...more
Ever since I was little I always loved those books that you could write in; the ones that have some story, or quotes, or something inspirational, but also an interactive component.
When I got this book, I wasn't completely sure what to expect; all I knew was I loved the title, the idea, and the glimpses of pages I caught. Now that I've read through it, I absolutely love it. It blends together the ideas of science and art and inspires you to not do anything outrageous, but instead be an explorer...more
When I got this book, I wasn't completely sure what to expect; all I knew was I loved the title, the idea, and the glimpses of pages I caught. Now that I've read through it, I absolutely love it. It blends together the ideas of science and art and inspires you to not do anything outrageous, but instead be an explorer...more
From Smithsonian Sept 2012 Bibliotherapy - Books as Therapy....
For Adjusting to a New City, Part II
How to be an Explorer of the World, by Keri Smith, is neither a novel nor a philosophical book, but an artist’s book, which looks a bit like a sketchbook. The book suggests ways in which we can use our imagination creatively. Keri Smith, who is a successful illustrator, encourages her readers to observe their environment and see the world with new eyes, and to then document their observations. Thi...more
For Adjusting to a New City, Part II
How to be an Explorer of the World, by Keri Smith, is neither a novel nor a philosophical book, but an artist’s book, which looks a bit like a sketchbook. The book suggests ways in which we can use our imagination creatively. Keri Smith, who is a successful illustrator, encourages her readers to observe their environment and see the world with new eyes, and to then document their observations. Thi...more
Found this book while wondering around Barnes & Noble this afternoon. It was a very quick read, obviously, as I was able to finish it while sitting there. It was fresh, fun, quirky, and had great ideas on how to explore the world around us. It listed a number of fun "experiments" and activities to engage with the world, and to inspire your creative juices. I rather liked the approach of looking at an artist as a COLLECTOR. This really resonated with me. I collect. Images. Thoughts. Words. Sa...more
"Often we forget about the physicality of observing, literally changing our viewpoint or perspective."
"We have become glued to our computer and television screens that we forget to explore the natural world, the original instructor on how to be curious about detail." (Jennifer New)
This book opens its readers to a whole new world stripped of its familiarity. From accidental art to things we've never seen before, from what we choose to keep and what we throw away, it makes us explore the world lik...more
5 stars for Keri Smith's, "How to be an Explorer of the World," because the title stays true to its content. Appropriate for all ages, Smith suggests a variety of activities and observations one can perform to awaken their senses and imagination. If you're looking to find (more) curiosity and creativity within yourself, I wouldn't pass this up as it will surely lead you there. All of the suggestions in this book, although eccentric at times, are possible regardless of your budget or location.
To...more
To...more
My mother would hate this book because it encourages me to continue all of my annoying habits, like keeping bits of string and sticks and rocks and rolled glass and buttons and dead growths from trees.
She would like people to believe I am a hoarder; really, I just find the world interesting and like having interesting things at my fingertips.
I'm not at home right now, so mainly this book made me wish for my glass-jar collection, which I purchased at a yard sale for $2 right before moving.
The onl...more
She would like people to believe I am a hoarder; really, I just find the world interesting and like having interesting things at my fingertips.
I'm not at home right now, so mainly this book made me wish for my glass-jar collection, which I purchased at a yard sale for $2 right before moving.
The onl...more
this is a very frustrating book to find at the library.
this is a "do, and see, and discover, and explore, and create, and put it all in one book" book. a "rip it apart, and put it all back to-gether in different pieces" book.
a "buy me, now! and discover" book.
with the quote "how to be an artist" on the back cover, you would think the book is aimed at.....artists. it is, but i see prompts for writing, and chances for collecting, as well.
if you want to open up yourself to many different mediums,...more
this is a "do, and see, and discover, and explore, and create, and put it all in one book" book. a "rip it apart, and put it all back to-gether in different pieces" book.
a "buy me, now! and discover" book.
with the quote "how to be an artist" on the back cover, you would think the book is aimed at.....artists. it is, but i see prompts for writing, and chances for collecting, as well.
if you want to open up yourself to many different mediums,...more
This is one of those books that is great for creative people or people who want to develop creative habits/perspectives. It is a collection of exercises gathered mostly from external (well-cited) sources that will give you a method of moving through your life like an explorer. By following all the exercises in here, you could create a portable museum of your life, certainly, and there is advice on how to even have showings or exhibitions of your museum. I can see this ultimately being more usefu...more
How to explore your world, without really having to go anywhere. This book encourages you to pay attention to the ordinary, the overlooked and the everday. Look in corners, around your house, and up to the sky. Notice patterns, similarities, differences and how things work together. Smith offers prompts for cataloging and contemplating our world, our place in it, and how our perception is constantly evolving and shifting. Excellent exercises for budding artists and/or creative types. Good scaven...more
3.5 stars. This was a decent, quick read full of creative exercises and suggestions about how to engage your senses and become a collector (of words, images, sounds, things, etc.). I took a few notes from the book on suggested activities, but several of them felt just a little too silly or pointless. I'm glad I didn't buy this book because the final 50 pages were mainly blank journal pages to record your responses to the exercises. I'm glad I read it, though, because I came away with a better se...more
Jun 21, 2012
Kristy Huppertz fuller
added it
It is an interesting way to spark the creativity that is lost on us through maturity and technology. I wouldn't do many of the suggestions but some of them I do everyday and now I'm going to play closer attention. I also think it would be a great thing to do with children so they learn that their creative and artistic thought process is valuable and something that you can have fun with even as an adult. We can wake up our creative spark while modeling for our children to never lose it.
I was taken by a quote from this book, only later to find out its source. This is a manual/workbook of sorts that aids the reader to see the world more fully. It's objective is to get the reader to focus, for once, on the mundane, everyday objects in our world. The exercises it suggests are what we perhaps need as a reminder to not only stop and smell the roses, but to touch them, truly examine them and everything else. In this collection of inspirations, "everything is interesting.".
While I sort of felt like I was cheating by not actually completing the "explorations" in this book (or even writing in it, because I got it out of the library), I really liked the idea of getting out and paying attention to/collecting the everyday in your life. Definitely the type of book that I'd like to eventually get & work through, but for now I'm content to be inspired in a more general way. Fun stuff to give you a little creative kickstart and/or perspective refresher.
I picked this book up on a whim and am glad I did. It is showing me new ways to see things. I go out into the world with this book, my camera, sketching supplies, and take the time to look at things I normally walk right by. Also, it's cheap...exploring a park nearby or your city's neighborhoods doesn't cost much (transportation, a cup of coffee?) and it's a good way to feel like you've had a mini vacation.
I loved this fun book. Often we overlook the details and don't know how to catalog our lives. Blogs are great at being effient and scrapbooking is more a capial industry than it is a creative outlet. This small book is amazingly wonderful in suggesting ways to see and document the world around you. It has changed the way I see my everyday evnironment and new ones too. Not to mention the ideas are fun and creative.
I would give it five stars if some of the explorations weren't so impractical, whether in size or in the place where they should be made or where its results should be stored. Skip some experiments before it's too late to realise you've turned into a critical hoarder, but otherwise you should be fine and inspired by the end of the mental and almost philosophical trip this on which this book embarks you.
Picking this up today and starting it - - I could have sworn I had read it before - - maybe - - it is the basis for a class on Big Picture Scrapbooking "Everyday Adventures" with Tami Morrison that starts on April 15th. . .join us!! www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com
Read thru the book last night - which has given me some ideas for the BPS class. . . with this book - Tami will definitely make this FUN!
Read thru the book last night - which has given me some ideas for the BPS class. . . with this book - Tami will definitely make this FUN!
An art teacher friend loaned this to me--I need to get my own copy! This "activity" book is about observing, documenting, collecting... noticing and being amazed at the little things... how to look at the banal around you and see it as if you were a tourist, new to your own world (in a fun, adventurous way). This book is fascinating as an adult, and would also be interesting to do with wee people.
I looked at this book to get some more ideas on how to help people practice their experimenting and observing skillsets as described in The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators. It gave me a few good ideas and is beautifully designed, but all-in-all I was underwhelmed.
A whimsical series of creative exercises to engage all 6 senses, peppered with artist quotes and encouraging bits of advice. Handwritten text and quirky illustrations make for a friendly visual experience.
Rather than work through exercises one by one, I read this cover-to-cover as a creativity stimulant. Picked up some tips and project ideas, and came away feeling comforted and inspired as an amateur artist.
Rather than work through exercises one by one, I read this cover-to-cover as a creativity stimulant. Picked up some tips and project ideas, and came away feeling comforted and inspired as an amateur artist.
A book about creativity, and about seeing art in every aspect of life. It is filled with activities and suggestions. that range from "found faces" - looking at objects that appear to have a face, such as a faucet - to writing down ten things you can see from where you are sitting to explore. An inspiring way to approach incorporating creativity in your daily life and daily activities.
I LOVE this book! This was a re-read. I am using it in preparation to teach "Creative Activities for Young Children", which I haven't taught in a number of years. I plan to use this book with my adult students as they nurture their own curiosity in order to learn how to support curiosity and creativity in young children. If you haven't seen this, check it out. It's wonderful!
Amazing book! I like how this book incorporates science and research principles to discovery while keeping an open mind to everything around you. "science" is really not lofty and only for those wearing white lab coats, through this book I realized that everyone is a scientist in using one's own senses to see and observe. If only we could all share what we find!
This book is a must-read for fans of Keri Smith's freespirited style, as well as for anyone needing a nudge to approach life in a more fun and creative way.
The premise is that "artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surpisingly similar ways" - an interesting observation!
The book is broken down into 59 individual "field studies" - activities that invite the reader to observe the world in fresh and offbeat ways. Readers are encouraged to start with whichever one makes them feel "...more
The premise is that "artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surpisingly similar ways" - an interesting observation!
The book is broken down into 59 individual "field studies" - activities that invite the reader to observe the world in fresh and offbeat ways. Readers are encouraged to start with whichever one makes them feel "...more
Am housesitting and one of the joys of housesitting is going through other peoples' bookshelves (with their permission) of course.
My friend is a visual artist and has a lot of interesting books. This book is part SARK, park Julia Cameron. It has lots of fun quotes and exercises and is designed to get people to look at the world differently.
A fun little book.
My friend is a visual artist and has a lot of interesting books. This book is part SARK, park Julia Cameron. It has lots of fun quotes and exercises and is designed to get people to look at the world differently.
A fun little book.
I REALLY love this book because it opened my eyes to a brand new way of looking at everything. Every picture I took throughout this book I always though where does this fit. I analyzed the details to find all the places it fit. I turned my explorations into a scrapbook although I have only gotten to complete 15 so far....
Fun book about how to be more creative and more observant of your surroundings and to document and observe the world around you. As if you'�ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.�
Jun 29, 2009
Samantha
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone seeking a nudge of inspiration
Shelves:
children-s,
young-adult
I really enjoyed this book- I've read several times now. I'm only now going back through and tinkering with the exercises. I read this before I read into "Wreck This Journal," which is also cute. Of the two, I prefer "How to be an Explorer," for inspiration jolt. Some of the "explorations" are very similar to those in "Wreck This Journal," though this book hits closer to the adult in me :-)
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUDES! | 1 | 12 | Jun 02, 2012 04:50am |
Keri Smith is an author/illustrator turned guerilla artist. She has several bestselling books, including Wreck This Journal, This is Not a Book, How To Be An Explorer of the World, Mess, Finish this Book, and the soon to be released Pocket Scavenger all published by Perigee Books. Read more at her website http://WWW.KERISMITH.COM
http://kerismithbooks.tumblr.com/
http://pinterest.com/penguinbooksus...more
More about Keri Smith...
http://kerismithbooks.tumblr.com/
http://pinterest.com/penguinbooksus...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Creativity arises from our ability to see things from many different angles.”
—
11 people liked it
More quotes…
