In today's creative landscape, being conscious about our impact is as important as the art we create. Certain books and journals stand out as essential reads for artists and designers looking to deepen their understanding of sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility. These resources provide inspiration and. craft of makinginsight into the guide creatives on how to approach their work with mindfulness towards the environment and society.

Here is a list of 13 books and journals carefully selected to cater to those who aim to blend their creative talents with a conscious approach to their practice. From exploring sustainable materials and processes to understanding our work's broader cultural and ethical implications, these reads are indispensable for anyone looking to make a positive impact through their creativity.

01. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

Discover the transformative power of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. This book isn't just about creativity; it's a guide to your journey and finding a deeper connection to process and purpose. With practical techniques and insightful guidance, Cameron helps you break free from creative blocks and reconnect with your passions. If you're ready to reignite your spark and make meaningful changes in your life, The Artist's Way is the roadmap you need.

Why we recommend… not only does it inspire us to explore new creative ventures and endeavours but it also doesn’t shy away from opening the conversation about self-discovery and the struggles that artists face which can steer us on an offbeat path. 

02. The Slow Grind: Finding Our Way Back to the Creative Balance by Georgina Johnson

The Slow Grind: Finding Our Way Back to Creative Balance is a dynamic anthology featuring essays, conversations, and insights from diverse cultural voices. This innovative collection explores Intersectional Environmentalism, bridging environmental and social justice issues. It's an invitation to rethink our world, cultural industries, and communities, with a commitment to recovery through unlearning. Additionally, the carbon footprint of the print will be offset through an afforestation project in Rio Kama, Nicaragua. 

Why we recommend… If your creative work is driven by a commitment to socio-political change, the conversations explored in this book – by biotechnologists, activists and key cultural actors – are for you to continue within your community.   

03. AGREENCULTURE by Colèchi

AGREENCULTURE explores the relationship between fashion and farming with contributions from growers, makers, designers and more to provoke new thinking and collaboration on how the clothing industry can work with nature alongside insight from rural farms to bridge the conversation between agriculture and design methods in the fast-paced city. 

Why we recommend… leading voices are amplified in an array of 208 pages of written and visual stories, with both a local and international perception on farming and fashion. The journal involves Trash Club Members, Chekii Harling (editor-at-large), Orsola de Castro, Hanna Whiteman and friends, Piarvé Wetshi and Tamsin Blanchard. 

04. Applied Utopia by Slow Factory

Applied Utopia acts as a text book that provides an array of interviews, essays, poems inviting a new framework of study and exploration about what innovation looks like and how we allow ourselves to imagine a better outcome. 

Why we recommend… this collection of stories not only reimagines the future but starts with the present by sparking ideas, systems and processes that are designed with humanity and harmony with nature. 

05. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Gilbert offers insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. We embrace our curiosity, tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the ‘strange jewels’ that are hidden within each of us. 

Why we recommend… “It is quite gritty so trigger warning on addiction, but really great way to look at pushing through to the other side of suffering creative block :)” - Ellen Rock, Trash Club Member

06. Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artists edited by Sharon Louden 

Each artist featured in this collection voices unique narratives, statements and interviews, with the common thread of a commitment to creativity within contemporary art. In this day and age, when art has become more of a commodity and art school graduates are convinced that they can only make a living from their work by attaining gallery representation, it is more important than ever to show the reality of how a professional, contemporary artist sustains a creative practice over time.

Why we recommend… if you’re a student, young creative and art enthusiast, these essays will inspire and redefine what ‘success’ means to a professional artist.  

07. Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic by Lisa Congdon

Find Your Artistic Voice helps artists and creatives identify and nurture their own visual identity. An artist's voice is their calling card - it's what makes each of their works vital and particular, but developing such singular artistry requires effort and persistence. Find Your Artistic Voice offers everyday strategies, inspirational anecdotes, and practical advice to push through fear and insecurity in your artistic practice.

Why we recommend… this book is not only a navigation through the creative process but also ponders on the question “how to develop a unique artistic style” which guides us on the personal journey. 

08. The Conscious Creative: Practical Ethics for Purposeful Work by Kelly Small

This is a guide to mindfulness and practical ethics for any creative professional who wants to make a living without selling their soul. When capitalism seems most unforgiving but the need for paying work remains high, it is important to learn how we can be more mindful and intentional about our impact - personal, social, economic, and environmental.

Why we recommend… The Conscious Creative discovers the power of incremental, positive changes in our daily work lives and the fulfilment of purposeful and ethical work.

09. Green Graphic Design by Brian Dougherty

Green Graphic Design reframes the way designers can think about the work they create while remaining focused on cost constraints and corporate identity. Simple, eco-innovative changes are demonstrated in all phases of the design process and this book is an introduction to the concepts and practices you can use to mitigate your environmental impact. 

Why we recommend… Green Graphic Design is a resource for graphic designers ready to look to the future of their business and the environment and explores the question: can a graphic designer be a catalyst for positive change? 

10. The Story of Art (without Men) by Katy Hessel

The Story of Art Without Men is the first comprehensive account of women’s contributions to visual culture, presented in geographical totality and across history. This publication follows the life and work of trailblazing women artists who have played critically important roles, yet have been largely overlooked. 

Why we recommend… we should constantly be reminded of the contributions that women artists have made and this book contributes to the re-evaluation, re-assessment and re-assertion of dialogue needed today.

11. Wear Next: Fashioning the Future by Clare Press

In Wear Next, Clare Press investigates the future of fashion, from introducing us to the innovators who are redesigning this industry to examining what the future of work will look like for the people who make our garments. She reminds us of the current wasteful, environmentally harmful and exploitative system and instead explores the new direction of conscious, fair, upcycled and biointelligent reimagination.

Why we recommend… whilst we are reminded and educated on the current wasteful fashion system, there is a hopeful reimagination of this and exploring the exciting possibilities of what fashion can become is inspiring and reminds us to keep doing what we do. 

12. Loved Clothes Last by Orsola de Castro

Explore a sustainable wardrobe transformation with this empowering book. It's a guide to breathe new life into your clothing, fostering a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Orsola's insights will reshape your shopping habits, encouraging mindful purchases that reduce your carbon footprint and extend the lifespan of your favourite pieces. By following practical tips like hand washing, steaming, and simple repairs, you'll not only make a positive environmental impact but also find personal fulfilment in caring for your garments. Let's move beyond fast fashion's harmful effects and embrace a journey of care, repair, and rewear. It's not just about our wardrobes; it's about embracing a sustainable beginning.

Why we recommend… Trash Club Member, Orsola details the many ways we can breathe new life into our clothes and how each individual holds responsibility in ending the fast fashion human and environmental exploitation.

13. The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg 

Greta Thunberg partners with over 100 climate experts working around the globe with her commentaries throughout and updates for this new paperback edition to reflect the latest research. The Climate Book equips us with knowledge and gives us hope. Together, it shows, we can do the seemingly impossible. But it has to be us, and it has to be now.

Why we recommend… this book is a portable guide to everything we can do to help our natural world and ecosystems, it leaves no excuse to ignore the fight against climate change.