Ryan Len, fundador y director de diseño de The Workbench, usó libros para dar forma a su perspectiva empresarial
ryan len is the founder and Design Director of The Workbench, a Singapore-based graphic design studio.
Ryan’s been an entrepreneur since he was 17, a drive that has led him from one venture to another. Some failed, some succeeded, but he definitely learned a lot in the process. He freelanced for different design studios, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible from his mentors.
He founded The Workbench in 2014, aiming to create solutions that enable their clients to become better versions of themselves. Working closely with their clients, they craft purposeful ideas and thoughtful solutions. Their work has been internationally recognized at Tokyo Type Directors Club, one of the most prestigious organizations in typography & graphic design.
Ryan’s also the co-founder of How to Ink, a printmaking and handicraft collective, and Aaah! creative platform.
Find out more about his favorite books and how reading shaped his perspective of owning a business.
¿Cuál es tu libro favorito y por qué? Negocios y no negocios, si es posible.
Negocio: Start With Why by Simon Sinek. It taught me to ponder about the existence of my business and what I can offer to my industry.
Non-business: Stories Of Your Life & Others by Ted Chiang. One of the best sci-fi books I’ve read in my life!
¿Hubo algún momento, específicamente, en que algo que leíste en un libro te ayudó? ¿Me puedes decir al respecto?
As a business owner I would constantly think about the reason for my studio’s existence, considering that the creative industry is quite overpopulated and having many other amazing creative studios around the world.
Reading actually helped shape a lot of my perspective about running a business, and also my perspective on life in general as a human being on this planet.
¿Qué libros te impactaron más? (quizás cambió la forma en que ves las cosas, cambió drásticamente tu carrera profesional)
There are just way too many books that impacted the way I live and see things. One of them is The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda.
¿Qué libros recomendarías a los jóvenes interesados en tu camino profesional? ¿Por qué? (sin límite de número aquí)
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- Designing Design by Kenya Hara
- Make Enemies & Gain Fans by Snask
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda
- Word By Word We Build Ourselves by Hanson Ho
Me interesa saber más sobre sus hábitos de lectura. ¿Con qué frecuencia lees? ¿En qué formato?
Contrary to all the interviewees, I’m actually not a reader. I fall asleep easily when I read. Hah! But I try to make it a habit to read on my commutes. And definitely a physical hard copy book!
¿Cómo haces tiempo para leer?
I don’t actually, but I try to make an effort to read on my daily commute. No matter how short a time it is.
¿Tomas notas o tienes alguna otra técnica para conquistar el torrente de información?
As I have a very short term memory, I’d usually write down interesting sections in my iPhone Notes app. This helps me keep tab of what I’ve read and interesting stories that I discovered along the way.
¿Cómo eliges qué libros leer a continuación?
I’d usually turn to my friends and mentors for their recommendations.
¿Priorizas los libros recomendados por determinadas personas? ¿Hay alguien a quien consideres un gurú de las recomendaciones de libros?
Yes I would. I actually have a friend and he runs a monthly book sharing meeting. He shares really interesting title recommendations which I stalk frequently.
¿Qué libro estás leyendo actualmente?
To be honest, I am not reading any book currently as I am quite swarmed with projects at work.
Links where you can follow Ryan Len or find out more about his projects:
- RyanLen.com
- The Workbench
- How to Ink
- Aaah.shop
- Follow Ryan @ Behance | Instagram
- The Workbench at Facebook | Gorjeo | Instagram
- Ryan’s interview @ AsianEntrepreneur
All books mentioned by Ryan Len in this interview:
- Comience con por qué: cómo los grandes líderes inspiran a todos a actuar por Simon Sinek
- Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda
- Designing Design by Kenya Hara
- Make Enemies & Gain Fans: The Snask way of becoming a Successful Creative Entrepreneur by Snask
- Word By Word We Build Ourselves by Hanson Ho
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