Emily Ruth Cohen – Brutally Honest Book

Brutally Honest is not only “not your standard, boring, business book,” it’s a beautifully executed, well-designed object that is a direct reflection and extension of Emily’s delightfully brash wit, her unique style and signature approach. The book is filled with "advice, insights, best business practices, and actionable strategies for creative professionals" delivered in a straightforward, concise, and (brutally) honest, distinctly Emily, manner. 

In her own words Emily asserts, “This book is like me, but in book form. I wear bright colors and it’s very bright and direct — it really reflects my personality and how I present myself.”

Featuring glowing gradients and a spectrum of pages flooded with fluorescent hues of orange, purple and pink contrasted by a dark, deep matte black cover, Brutally Honest wasn’t just written for designers — it was designed for them.

The book, is a sight to behold and a delight to hold.  Designed by Once-Future Office, Brutally Honest is the perfect size to slip into a bag and carry on the go, but the visual progression of colorful gradients begs for it to be splayed atop a coffee table and admired.

“I’ve always wanted to do a book,” Emily claims. “I wanted to develop something that had long lasting value — a book has lasting power and relevance. The paper, the look, the smell — it’s tactile. The whole point is that it’s an object that you hold.” She laughs, “If anything else, it’ll make an amazing coffee table book!”

When asked if Emily felt she’d achieved her self-professed goal to “publish a book that designers and creatives will not only enjoy reading, but one that they would also be proud to hold, display and share,” she responds confidently and without hesitation “Oh, absolutely!”

“The design community is extremely critical — and I knew that going into this,” Emily states, “but 99.9% of feedback has been incredibly positive, even from people who haven’t even read it yet!” She goes onto say, “Designers have responded so well to the vibrancy of the book. There’s a million business books out there for designers, so this had to stand out; it has very short chapters, information graphics and short ‘sound bytes’ [fun little insights and asides* that appear in bars throughout the book].”

So is Emily, the author, planning another book anytime soon? “Yeah, no” she replies in an uproarious laugh. “But I’d love to maybe do a seminar or a teacher’s edition of the book. Or write a book of curated Case Studies from clients or designers I respect.”

We’ll be waiting.