Human creativity is a malleable skill. There are things we can do to improve it. And there are some incredible products out there that can help us capture our ideas, present them, inspire us, help us turn our ideas into content, etc. Here are some of our favorites organized by category (4 in each).
All of our creative presentations at Ideasicle X are done virtually. And we can’t tell you enough how important it is to present yourself well. Clearly, crisply, and professionally. Here’s everything you need.
Insta360 Link 2 4K Webcam
A top-tier webcam is essential for looking professional on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other platforms. The Insta360 Link is a standout choice. It offers 4K resolution at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, and a 1/2-inch sensor for excellent low-light performance. Its also got AI-powered tracking to keep you in frame.
Logitech Blue Yeti Microphone
You will sound like you’re in the room with your clients with this studio-quality mic. USB connected, works with PC or Mac. And if you ever want to start a podcast, you’re covered.
Lume Cube Ring Light Pro
No one wants to buy liluminating creative ideas from someone in the dark. This 10-inch ring light offers adjustable brightness (up to 1000 lumens) and color temperatures, ensuring you can match your room’s lighting for a natural look. It’s wireless with a rechargeable battery, making it mobile and easy to position.
Dell UltraSharp 4K Monitor
Good Zooming is not only about how you look and sound but how your clients look and sound. Did you catch that smile? Or was it a frown? The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is a 27-inch 4K UHD (3840x2160) monitor with an IPS panel, offering 98% DCI-P3 color coverage for accurate visuals. It has a 60Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, and 400 nits brightness.
These books are the best of the best on creativity. Sure to inspire you and give you new perspectives. Like doorways into new ways of thinking (and creating).
The Creative Act: A Way Of Being
By Rick Rubin
A legendary music producer offers a meditative exploration of creativity as a universal practice. Widely praised for its philosophical depth and practical wisdom, encouraging readers to embrace openness and flow in their creative process.
Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation
By Steven Johnson
This book is where the concept of “idea collisions” comes from, or the fact every new idea comes from the collision of two existing ones. This book is loaded with highly researched insights and real-world examples.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
By Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert, best known for Eat, Pray, Love, delivers an inspiring guide to living a creative life without fear. This book is celebrated for its empathetic, practical advice on embracing curiosity over perfectionism.
Research suggests that mindless tasks like spinning a spinner occupies your working memory. Working memory is good for focus, but bad for lateral thinking. This stuff will liberate your mind. So maybe not so stupid.
Scione Fidget Spinners
These were huge a few years ago, but they’re useful now in creative situations. This product comes with 5 spinners.
Speks Geode Sphere Magnetic Fidget
A 12 piece set filled with fun with magnets and moving parts that tell your working memory to back off.
If an idea falls down in the woods, and no one is around to capture it, does it exist? Or something like that. Ideas are fleeting. They won’t stick unless you make them stick. Here are a bunch of great products to help you capture your ideas.
Post-it Super Sticky Notes
The OG of idea capture. This package includes 24 note pads, 3”X3”. By far the cheapest way to capture your team’s ideas. Stick ‘em anywhere.
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
Built for Apple Intelligence, Ultra Retina XDR Display, 512GB, 12MP front/back camera, LiDAR Scanner, Wi-Fi 6E, Face ID, All-day battery life. Space black.
U Brands Magnetic Dry Erase Board
14”X14” frameless, includes marker and magnet. Buy several of these portable dry erase tiles and turn any wall into an impromptu idea capturing whiteboard.
I used to have a martini glass business and know how important it is to have a studio in your basement to shoot the product in a professional way. Or even quickly generate content for clients. Here’s all you need.
Canon EOS R7 RF-S18 150mm Mirrorless Vlogging Camera
This is a straightforward bundle that includes the Canon EOS R7 body and the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM lens. It’s designed for versatility, covering a wide focal range (equivalent to 29-240mm on a full-frame camera due to the 1.6x crop factor), making it a great all-purpose lens for product photography.
ShowMaven Softbox Lighting Kit
Provides soft, even lighting, which is essential for product photography and green screen work. The included umbrellas and softboxes ensure no harsh shadows, a common basement challenge.
EMART Green Screen
The Emart green screen and ShowMaven stand work together to create a professional backdrop system. Web sources like dpmag.com suggest avoiding green screens for stills due to spill, but with proper lighting (as provided by the ShowMaven kit), it’s a valuable tool for video and creative composites.
