The hottest Craft Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

Not Unnatural

The American Peasant • 2295 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Music Art Craft Technology Creativity
  1. Using Auto-Tune in music can ruin the natural sound of a singer, making it feel fake. It's better to embrace human imperfections, like being slightly off-key, which can make music more relatable and emotional.
  2. In woodworking, some people use technology to create perfect shapes and designs, but this can take away the charm of natural, handmade pieces. Simplicity and imperfections often hold more beauty.
  3. Technology can help us do tasks more easily and still produce good results, but when it creates things that are too complex or unnatural, it loses its appeal. Authenticity and human touch are more valued.

Fold, crease, tear

Austin Kleon • 7094 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Media Craft
  1. Making things with your hands, like creating zines, can boost your mood and happiness. It's good to stay connected to your creative side.
  2. Writing in a paper journal helps keep thoughts organized and can enhance creativity. Using paper is a simple yet powerful tool for self-expression.
  3. Exploring new forms of art and literature, like zines and unique book recommendations, opens up new ways to think and feel. There's always something new to discover.

Handmind is heartwork

Austin Kleon • 2457 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Collage Creativity Craft Design
  1. Creating by hand connects our thoughts with our hearts. It helps us slow down and be more mindful about our work.
  2. Working with crafts can be a powerful way to express ourselves. It combines our ideas with physical creation.
  3. Collaboration and conversation can inspire new ideas. Sharing thoughts with friends can lead to meaningful projects.

a close read of my MFA statement of purpose

sweater weather • 4166 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing Influences Craft Experience
  1. A statement of purpose for MFA programs is about explaining your reasons for pursuing the degree.
  2. In writing, the concept of 'purpose' can be elusive and complex, leading to a struggle in articulating one's creative goals.
  3. Regardless of the challenges faced during the MFA program application process, it's essential to stay true to your writing ambitions and seek to make those aspirations a reality.

The Answer to Editing

Agents and Books • 2712 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📚 Literature Editing Writing Tips Craft Books
  1. Write a reverse outline after finishing the first draft of your book to help with editing.
  2. What works for one book may not work for another, so be open to trying different techniques.
  3. Continuously learn and adapt your writing process to find what works best for each project.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Making the Sausage

Freddie deBoer • 11633 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Politics Craft Industry Literature
  1. The author received positive feedback for a piece about the 1990s and discusses the importance of conveying conflicting perspectives in writing.
  2. The author emphasizes the value of crafting well-written pieces that move and entertain readers.
  3. The author reflects on the challenges and rewards of maintaining individuality in writing while meeting reader expectations.

maile meloy rules

sweater weather • 2397 implied HN points • 04 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction Craft
  1. In a fiction workshop, it's important to assign readings to help students develop discernment and critical thinking in storytelling.
  2. Maile Meloy's stories delve into the moral complexities and struggles of ordinary human relationships, offering comfort in unsettling truths.
  3. Meloy's story 'O Tannenbaum' intricately weaves tension through subtle details and character dynamics, culminating in a complex exploration of desire and danger.

The Medium Edition

Why is this interesting? • 2171 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Learning Technique Craft Digital Art
  1. Watercolors are unforgiving; mistakes with watercolors are hard to fix because once you put them down, you can't really change them.
  2. Mastering a craft takes practice; just like with watercolors, it's crucial to first understand and excel in the medium before focusing on the message or artistry.
  3. Using technology like drawing apps can help with the challenges of traditional mediums like watercolors; these tools offer the convenience of undo and redo functions that are not available in physical art.

The Creative Playground

Ralph Ammer • 825 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Drawing Creativity Games Skills Craft
  1. The secret to jumpstarting creativity is having fun and being immersed in a game with clear goals and rules.
  2. Drawing exercises are like structured games that set creative limitations to free up our creativity.
  3. To build a creative playground, make variations, limit your time, pick a format, and focus on improving a skill.

The Saddle Stitch Edition

Why is this interesting? • 904 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Craft Luxury History
  1. Saddle stitching with two needles creates strong and elegant seams on thick leather like saddles, emphasizing craftsmanship and durability.
  2. The saddle stitch process is a symbol of true luxury, centered on effort, rarity, and longevity, contrasting with mass-produced items.
  3. Hermès still values traditional saddle stitching in their leatherwork for its quality, despite openness to technological advancements if they can improve quality.

The Changing Role of Design

The Intersection • 732 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🪑 Design Industry Thinking Craft Creativity
  1. The design industry is evolving, with a shift from traditional design agencies to transformation consultancies.
  2. Design thinking has democratized design, making it more accessible but may have overemphasized thinking over the act of making.
  3. The role of designers in digital products like Threads may not always be obvious, as factors like timing and innovation can play a key role in success.

New Exhibition: The People's Cathedral

Labor Intensive Art • 216 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Craft Labor Rights Museum
  1. Tabitha Arnold's first solo exhibition titled 'The People's Cathedral' is opening at the Workers Art and Heritage Centre in Hamilton, Ontario.
  2. The exhibition focuses on labor history as portrayed in art and craft objects, aligning with Arnold's textile practice that gained popularity during the 2020 lockdown.
  3. Arnold will be engaging with diverse worker's rights movements in Hamilton, including leading workshops and discussions with various groups.

Making Math

SCIENCE GODDESS • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Math Science STEM Craft Education
  1. Crochet Coral Reef project combines art, craft, and STEM to engage people in science communication
  2. Bias against material play and embodied cognition can hinder funding for alternative STEM engagement methods
  3. Using hands-on activities like crocheting can help make math and science more accessible and engaging for a wider audience

“Accent the point of a story”

Chartography • 98 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Cartography Information graphics Historical Art Craft
  1. Bob Chapin revolutionized cartographic storytelling by prioritizing images over words.
  2. Chapin's process of creating self-sufficient graphics quickly influenced public understanding during pivotal moments in history.
  3. Chapin's innovative map-making techniques at TIME magazine set the stage for modern data visualization and storytelling.

Do papercuts matter?

Register Spill • 157 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Software UX Value Efficiency Craft
  1. Papercuts in software are small annoyances that don't necessarily affect functionality but can be fixed.
  2. Even though papercuts may be annoying, they often don't prevent users from achieving their goals when using software.
  3. Having papercuts in software may not always directly relate to a negative user experience or impact the success of the software.

What is Taste and how to have it?

Product Composition • 137 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Craft Creativity Aesthetics Influence
  1. Having good taste is a skill that can be developed by paying attention to craft, analyzing surroundings, seeking feedback, and surrounding yourself with tasteful things and people.
  2. Buying expensive items doesn't necessarily mean you have good taste; true taste is about appreciating quality and value, not just high price tags.
  3. Having good taste can be beneficial for business success, as it involves analyzing goods, spotting opportunities, and making valuable decisions efficiently.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 105 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Craft Artistry Creativity Inspiration
  1. Differentiate between being 'sentimental' and being 'emotion-rich' in writing. Strive for genuine emotion in your work while avoiding unearned sentimentality.
  2. Your upbringing doesn't dictate the quality of your writing. Use your life experiences, no matter how 'normal,' to create impactful and powerful storytelling.
  3. Great writing comes from finding the sacred in everyday moments. Embrace the idea that every detail matters and has the potential for literary significance.

Creativity for the sake of creativity

Erifili • 99 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Writing Painting Social media Craft
  1. Creativity for the sake of creativity can lead to personal fulfillment and deeper exploration of one's craft.
  2. Being creative privately, without the pressure of public validation, allows for more genuine and authentic artistic expression.
  3. Engaging in creative activities solely for personal enjoyment is valuable and does not require public recognition to validate one's identity as an artist.

What writing in a second language has taught me (about writing in general)

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
📚 Literature Writing Craft
  1. The author started writing seriously at seventeen, focusing on projects like short stories and essays, rather than just random writing. Eventually shifted to writing mainly in English, leaving their mother tongue behind.
  2. Writing in a second language led the author to discover five things that changed their perspective on writing as a whole, showing a deeper connection beyond just a desire for readers.
  3. Through writing in a second language, the author experienced defamiliarization and realized the impact it had on their craft, highlighting the importance of exploring different writing styles and languages in personal development.

#61 How to sabotage a Zoom call

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 29 Mar 21
🪑 Design Tech Architecture Quote Craft
  1. A browser tool called Zoom Escaper allows users to self-sabotage Zoom calls with bizarre sound effects, addressing the need for disconnection in our highly connected age.
  2. Anni Albers, a celebrated artist and weaver, innovated by weaving a fabric using chenille and cellophane threads to solve practical design problems with sound absorption and reflective qualities.
  3. The quality of design often depends on the client, highlighting the importance of collaboration and communication between designers and clients for successful outcomes.

#068 ✰ Objects for the long haul

Objet • 19 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Fashion Craft Furniture Culture
  1. Objet focuses on exploring the intersection of consumerism, myth, satisfaction, desire, taste, joy, meaning, and pride.
  2. High-quality materials in furniture like Eames plywood chairs can be generational heirlooms worth cherishing and restoring.
  3. Taking care of wood furniture with coats of wax can help maintain its health and longevity.