Finding vs Creating in Storytelling

Image

This Week’s Episode:

“You have to see this.” That’s the message I see alongside a link sent to me by a friend. “Umm… I’m kind of busy, you know? I’m in the middle of things, working and I don’t have time for links.” I fire back. He insists, “No, you really need to see this.”

So I open up the link and see... an inkblot. An inkblot?!? Big deal! Then he tells me to play the video, and I do. I find myself completely enthralled as this inkblot suddenly becomes a creature that turns into an adorable monster. Oh, and the artist creating it is drawing it upside-down and backward!

From white pages to inkblots to monsters, this art comes to life before my eyes. And each monster clearly has its own story behind it. I have to know who the artist is. I want to talk to him and find out everything I can because anyone with the talent to turn inkblots into monsters has won me over.

How do you organically create something from nothing like that? Find out in this episode as I sit down with that incredible artist, Stefan G. Bucher. We discuss why starting your story in the middle helps you overcome resistance and why doing things for yourself without an audience might be the better way for you to go.

You’ll also hear about the role of storytelling in highlighting the common experience, how you can do things to feel less alone in the world, and Stefan’s incredibly amusing technique to help you uplevel your storytelling game.

What you will learn in this episode:

  • Why your task is to find something, not create something
  • Why connection is such an essential part of great storytelling
  • How different mediums can unlock new ways to approach storytelling

Who is Stefan G. Bucher?

Stefan G. Bucher is a writer, graphic designer, illustrator, and all-around bookaholic. Born in Germany, he came to California and studied at the Art Center College of Design. His first introduction to book design happened as a child when he poured over the catalogs of the Wilhelm Busch Museum in Hannover. That early access began a lifelong journey to design and produce books in the same delightful and fascinating fashion that those early catalogs did for him.

Stefan has received awards, features, and recognition from design books and magazines and prestigious institutions in the literary world. He won the Yellow Pencil Award for Book Design from British Design and the Art Direction and the Art Directors Club of New York. Numerous book design exhibitions have featured his work such as those hosted by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center, and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

Stefan’s most popular work, however, is the online animation series Daily Monster where he filmed himself drawing a new monster from random inkblots for 100 days. This series has enjoyed millions of views and downloads and inclusion in the Communication Arts Illustration and American Illustration annuals, and even new life in book form. In addition, he has worked with a wide range of entertainment, advertising, educational, and institutional clients and collaborated on projects with big names like Sting, director Tarsem, and The New York Times.

Image

Links & Resources

Ready to be unforgettable? Good.

FREE Speaker TRAINING: LEARN THE #1 MOST IMPORTANT TOOL THAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

  • Increase your confidence
  • Build trust with prospects - fast
  • Stand out against competition
  • Captivate your audience
  • Be the one they remember
Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

You’ll also receive storytelling secrets each week from our show.
One-click unsubscribe if you don't love the free training!

Image
Ready to be unforgettable? Good.

Free Speaker Training: Learn how to make your Talks more persuasive and captivating to hold your audience's attention longer

  • Increase your confidence
  • Build trust with prospects - fast
  • Stand out against competition
  • Captivate your audience
  • Be the one they remember
Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

You’ll also receive storytelling secrets each week from our show.
One-click unsubscribe if you don't love the free training!

Image

"Storytelling is an art form - and Kymberlee Weil is the master! I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented creatives in the world, and Kymberlee is close to the top of that list.”

Image

JULIAN REEVE

SPEAKER, AUTHOR, FORMER MUSIC DIRECTOR OF HAMILTON

"I thought I had public speaking down pat. As a former Green Beret, I have followed a lot of quality leaders and coaches, and I would follow Kymberlee anywhere… Especially onto the red circle."

Image

LTC (RET.) SCOTT MANN

GREEN BERET, ENTREPRENEUR, STORYTELLER, TRAINER, COACH, AUTHOR

"Kymberlee helped me tremendously in the weeks leading up to my TED talk and afterwards. I have given hundreds of talks to audiences big and small. But the TED stage is a different beast -- every word matters.Kymberlee kept me on point, focused, and she took the time to figure out what my objectives really were and how to get me there. She is a true master of her trade and I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from her."

Image

JUNA KOLLMEIER

ASTROPHYSICIST, TED SPEAKER