What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

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Joey Cofone is an author as well as the Founder & CEO of Baronfig, a company that makes tools for thinkers. And speaking of thinkers, Joey has brought over 100 different products from zero to launch thanks to his award-winning (literally) design skills. His work as an entrepreneur has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, and Newsweek just to name a select few. But in today’s conversation we’re diving into Joey’s achievement that caught my eye the most: his #1 bestselling book, The Laws of Creativity.

In our conversation, we discuss what creativity really is, how it works, and the ways in which anyone can learn these essential concepts and unleash their own creativity (yes, you can LEARN how to be creative). We also talk about all the ways you can maintain your creativity despite living in a society that tends to suppress it, judge it, and overall diminish its importance. Joey also shares with us the backstory on how his obsession with creativity started in 1st grade, and why he’s spent his entire adult life writing his book.

Whether you work in a creative industry, are looking to explore creativity outside of work, are already in touch with your creative side, or are looking to explore creativity for the first time, you definitely don’t want to miss this conversation. The concepts Joey shares are practical, actionable, and simple enough you can get started right away.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• The classroom experience in 1st grade that triggered Joey’s obsession with creativity
• NASA's research: 98% of 5 year olds are at the creative genius level…but by adulthood, that number dwindles to 2%. Why is this and what can we do?!
• Joey didn't create the laws of creativity, he just put a name to it
• How anyone can build their ability to be more creative, just like they could with athleticism
• What being “weird” really means (and why it’s a good thing)
• What creativity really means. HINT: It’s not creating new things…
• What makes your ideas unique, even if it’s just a bunch of other ideas put together
• How to maintain your creativity in a world where there will always be someone who thinks your ideas are wrong
• What Joey means when he says he wants to be “Nike for thinkers”
• What makes Baronfig notebooks so different (and in my opinion incredibly special)
• Joey puts me in the hot seat to find out what keeps me going and why I HATE the word expert

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Laws of Creativity

Baronfig

NASA conducted a famous study on the creative genius of humans

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

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Guest Bio:

Joey Cofone

Joey Cofone is the Founder & CEO of Baronfig, an award-winning designer and entrepreneur, and author of the bestselling book, The Laws of Creativity.

Joey has designed and art directed over 100 products from zero to launch. His work has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, New York Magazine, Newsweek, Bon Appétit, Quartz, Mashable, Print, and more. Joey was named a New Visual Artist and, separately, Wunderkind designer, by Print magazine. He is also a 1st place winner of the American Institute of Graphic Arts design competition, Command X.

Joey strives to make work that appeals to curious minds—work that’s beautiful, smart, and communicative. He believes that design is the least of a designer’s worries, that story is at the heart of all tasks, and jumping off cliffs is the only way to grow.

He lives in New York City with his wife, Ariana, and his dog (and writing buddy), Luigi.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).