Purpose

Tiny Books

Welcome to Tiny Books: short, sharp books for creative entrepreneurs that explore the design of business and the business of design.

Brief books, which tackle timeless topics, Tiny Books cover content that inhabits the twin galaxies of design and business. If you’re involved in the worlds where these disciplines overlap, I think you’ll enjoy Tiny Books.

Tiny Books are intended for digital pioneers: creatives taking their talents to the rapidly proliferating digital landscape and harnessing the opportunities it affords. Tiny Books explore both theory and practice, applying theory through focused, downloadable worksheets. They are intended for what David Hieatt calls doers (individuals who ‘do’ rather than ‘talk’).

Over time, Tiny Books will grow into a library for doers, covering everything you need to know to turn your creative idea into a commercial reality.


Tiny Books Are Tried and Tested

I’ve drawn the content for Tiny Books from over a decade of working with creative businesses of all sizes. The material is tried and tested, through a combination of: consultancy, working with startups in the creative industries; teaching, particularly through content I deliver on my MFA Multidisciplinary Design programme, a startup-focused Masters at the Belfast School of Art; and, finally, through content I delivered as a lead trainer on a number of creative startup programmes pioneered by Nesta.

Through this work, I’ve mentored a generation of designers, helping them develop the critical business skills required to succeed and thrive. Don’t take my word for it, however. Here’s what a handful of the people I’ve worked with say:

  • “A decade after I graduated I still call on Christopher for support and advice. His role as a mentor offering ongoing guidance is invaluable.”
    Paddy Donnelly (Illustrator and Design Consultant, Lefft)

  • “I’d thoroughly recommend Tiny Books. Think of them as a Masters education without the Masters price tag.”
    Lee Munroe (Product Design Lead, Mailgun)

  • “I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for Christopher’s passion for design, and his teaching. I’m looking forward to Tiny Books extending this knowledge beyond the classroom.”
    Jonny Campbell (Co-Founder, Brewbot)

  • “Christopher’s passion for the business of design helped us considerably when we established Get Invited. His support for startups is non-stop and his enthusiasm is unmatched.”
    Kyle Gawley (CEO, Get Invited)

  • “When I decided to change career direction, moving from jewellery into iOS design, Christopher supported me every step of the way. His advice is invaluable.”
    Becca Hume (CEO, E+Press)


The Tiny Books Universe

The Tiny Books universe combines content of varying lengths, which is designed to fit together. Planets are longer books exploring core topics in-depth. Moons are shorter, supplementary books. This content is supported by regular posts at the Tiny Books journal, illustrating design and business thinking in a timely manner.

Collectively this content grows to build a library that covers everything today’s creative needs to know and understand to turn an idea for a creative business into a commercial reality.

Planets

  • A shot of the Planets series book covers
  • Start! Stop Procrastinating and Pursue Your Passion
  • Talkaboutability Great Brands Are Storytellers
  • Ka-Ching Navigating the Tricky Topic of Pricing

Moons

  • A shot of the Moons series book covers
  • Eureka! Unleash Your Ideas by Building an Idea Factory
  • Connect Build Your Business by Nurturing Your 1,000 True Fans
  • Touchpoints Why the Little Details Matter to Your Brand

Learn From Real World Case Studies

One of the things I’m focusing on with Tiny Books is taking the intersection of design and business theory, and showing its application in the real world. As such, it’s important that each of the books feature real life case studies. I’m fortunate, through conference speaking, to have the opportunity to meet a lot of incredibly talented people doing remarkable work. These people will all form the backbone of my case studies.

My first in-depth book, Start!, features three case studies: Hiut Denim, Sugru and Kano. Other case studies I plan to feature, include: Brewbot, Lagom, Offscreen, AIAIAI, Tattly… and many, many more.

In short, there are a wealth of companies I believe readers can learn from, companies that are collectively pursuing new models of business and taking their talents to the web. Highlighting these companies’ best practice inspires readers and gives them the confidence to succeed, echoing Tiny Books’ purpose.

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