42courses

Book of the Day 📘: Don’t Call It Art by Austin Kleon What if the problem isn’t a lack of ideas… but too many rules? In his new book, Austin Kleon explores how to create like a kid again. Less pressure. Less perfection. More play. More curiosity. An inspiring read for anyone who feels a little stuck, a little burnt out, or simply curious about how to bring the joy back into their creative work. @austinkleon Out on 2 June. Get your copy here: a.co/d/0bHoJxzh

Campaign of the Day: Leroy Merlin ‘Noise Discount’ by MRM Brazil Starting a renovation comes with one unavoidable side effect. Noise. Instead of ignoring it, Leroy Merlin turned it into an idea. Customers could send their neighbours a 10% discount as a light-hearted apology for the drilling and hammering. A small gesture that transformed irritation into goodwill and neighbours into new customers. A simple, clever idea that solved a real, everyday problem. And when you do that, the business results usually take care of themselves.

In Marostica, Italy, a real-life human chess match takes place every two years. The town square becomes a giant chessboard, with costumed locals acting as the pieces while a herald calls the moves. The tradition dates back to 1454, when two noblemen settled a love rivalry with a chess match instead of a duel. The winner married Lionora. The loser married her sister. Today, the spectacle lives on with parades, fireworks and medieval pageantry.

Short Film of the Day: Naturals ‘Tree to Treat’ by Drink Water Design Studio Before it’s ice cream, it’s a tree. Naturals built this film around founder Raghunandan Kamath’s belief that great ice cream begins with great trees. Instead of focusing on flavours, the film traces them back to the soil, the fruit and the hands that nurture them. With poetic cinematography and nature-led storytelling, it feels less like an advert and more like a tribute. @drinkwaterdesign | @naturalicecream

Why is saving money so hard, even when we know we should? In this clip, Dan Ariely and Chris Rawlinson unpack the common behavioural mistakes that quietly derail our best intentions. @danariely Discover more practical insights in our Behavioural Science for Life course, 42courses.com/courses/behavi…

The most satisfying update: “Nothing from my end, thanks.”

Book of the Day 📘: The Creative Shift by Andrew Robertson How do you innovate without breaking what already works? In The Creative Shift, BBDO CEO Andrew Robertson explores the challenge of keeping the business running while still making room for bold new ideas. It’s a practical read on protecting creativity before it gets “optimised” to death and building a culture where curiosity actually survives. Perfect for anyone trying to redesign the car while still driving it. Book of the Day 📘: The Creative Shift by Andrew Robertson How do you innovate without breaking what already works? In The Creative Shift, BBDO CEO Andrew Robertson explores the challenge of keeping the business running while still making room for bold new ideas. It’s a practical read on protecting creativity before it gets “optimised” to death and building a culture where curiosity actually survives. @RobertsonAndrew Perfect for anyone trying to redesign the car while still driving it. a.co/d/0iJL93CG

Campaign of the Day: Senatur ‘Santa Maria Pueblo Hotel’ by ONIRIA/TBWA What if a whole village became a hotel? Santa Maria Pueblo Hotel turned homes into rooms, neighbours into hosts and streets into lobbies. Visitors didn’t just see Paraguayan culture, they lived inside it. No fake “authenticity”. No carefully staged local charm. Just real people, real food and real stories. A smart reminder that the best brand experiences don’t just market a place. They make people feel part of it. @Senatur_Py | @OniriaTBWA

There was a time when films didn’t just fade out. They said goodbye. “The End” started as a practical signal in the silent era, a clear full stop so audiences knew the story was over. But over time it became something more. A stylistic flourish. A tease. Sometimes even a joke. Today, it’s mostly gone, replaced by fade-outs and post-credit scenes. Which is probably why, when those two simple words do appear on screen, they hit differently. Instant nostalgia. Like closing a well-loved book.

Coming up with ideas doesn’t have to feel like staring at a blank page and hoping for divine intervention. In this clip, WPP Global Chief Creative Officer Rob Reilly shares practical advice for making the creative process less intimidating, and a lot more useful. Want to think more creatively at work and in life? Explore our creative courses at 42courses.com.

Campaign of the Day: Vodafone + Vodafone Idea ‘Guardian Beads’ by Ogilvy Mumbai At the world’s largest human gathering, thousands of people get lost every day. Vi spotted a simple truth: many pilgrims don’t carry phones, but they do wear sacred bead bracelets that are never taken off. So the brand engraved mobile numbers onto traditional Rudraksha and Tulsi beads, creating “Guardian Beads” to help reunite separated families. No app. No download. Just a smart, deeply human idea solving a real problem. @Ogilvy | @vodafone | @ViCustomerCare

Book of the Day 📘: Hidden Genius by Polina Marinova Pompliano What separates the exceptional from the merely very good? According to Polina Marinova Pompliano, it’s not productivity hacks, waking up at 4am, or pretending to enjoy cold plunges. After interviewing thousands of high performers, she found the real difference is how they think. @polinapompliano Hidden Genius breaks down the mental models successful people use to make better decisions, stay creative and keep calm when things get messy. A sharp, practical read for anyone who wants to upgrade their thinking, not just their to-do list. amzn.eu/d/0eUe0OZQ

Book of the Day 📘: AI for Good by Josh Tyrangiel Amid all the noise about AI taking over the world, this book focuses on something quieter and far more interesting. AI for Good shares the stories of teachers, doctors, civil servants and everyday problem-solvers using AI to tackle real, messy, human challenges. Not to replace people. To help them do their jobs better. A thoughtful read for anyone trying to solve real problems in a rapidly changing world. @Tyrangiel a.co/d/0j4y23gR

It's official: We've joined the club. Things just got a lot brighter at 42courses! ✨🪩🕺🏻😂

In 1991, Mazda engineers built a suitcase that unfolded into a fully functional go-kart. 🧳🏎️ Powered by a 34cc two-stroke engine, it could hit nearly 19 mph and was designed to be assembled in under a minute. From the outside, it looked like ordinary luggage. It never went into production, partly because a 70-pound petrol-powered suitcase might raise eyebrows at airport security. Wonderfully unnecessary. Completely brilliant. @mazda