"Made to Stick" I found to be a good book on storytelling. It doesn't position it as "storytelling" per se but more generally about how to communicate ideas in a way that captivate audiences, however large or small.
I asked myself the same question around 6 months ago, so I talked to the most talented designer I know and asked him for a list of the most influential books he had read whilst developing his skills.
Here is the list, in the order he recommended reading them:
I've been making my way through the list, and it is amazing how much my approach to design has changed. Before I was winging it and was never really sure if I was making something that would look good, but now I feel like I have a solid foundation to build on.
About a year ago I starting becoming incredibly interested in making ideas spread. I decided to read books on how to present myself and my ideas in a way that builds my own credibility, trustworthiness, and helps people to take on my ideas.
If you are interested in these things, I highly recommend Made to Stick by the Heath Brothers [1]. It focuses on the SUCCESs framework:
S - Short
U - Unexpected
C - Credible
C - Concrete
E - Emotional
S - Stories
They elaborate in excellent detail on each of these ideas and the acronym that they coined is a perfect example.
In terms of building your own credibility, I suggest reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. [2] This book is instrumental in understanding the basic concepts that can have a material impact on your life. I think that Autobiography of Ben Franklin [3] teaches a few key lessons in the use of diffidence that harmonizes well with Carnegie's ideas.
https://www.amazon.com/Made-Stick-Ideas-Survive-Others/dp/14...
Here is the list, in the order he recommended reading them:
Creative Process: http://www.amazon.com/Made-Stick-Ideas-Survive-Others/dp/140...
Design Thinking: http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Rand-A-Designer%60s-Art/dp/030008...
Typography: http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Type-Designers-Critical-Stude...
Spatial Relationships - Grids: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Breaking-Grid-Graphic-Workshop/...
Reduction: http://www.amazon.com/Symbol-Steven-Bateman/dp/1856697274/
Color Theory: http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Color-Subjective- Experience/dp/0471289280/
Branding 101: http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Brand-Identity-Essential-Bra...
I've been making my way through the list, and it is amazing how much my approach to design has changed. Before I was winging it and was never really sure if I was making something that would look good, but now I feel like I have a solid foundation to build on.
http://www.amazon.com/Made-Stick-Ideas-Survive-Others/dp/140...
If you are interested in these things, I highly recommend Made to Stick by the Heath Brothers [1]. It focuses on the SUCCESs framework:
S - Short
U - Unexpected
C - Credible
C - Concrete
E - Emotional
S - Stories
They elaborate in excellent detail on each of these ideas and the acronym that they coined is a perfect example.
In terms of building your own credibility, I suggest reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. [2] This book is instrumental in understanding the basic concepts that can have a material impact on your life. I think that Autobiography of Ben Franklin [3] teaches a few key lessons in the use of diffidence that harmonizes well with Carnegie's ideas.
[1] http://www.amazon.com/Made-Stick-Ideas-Survive-Others/dp/140...
[2] http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/06...
[3] http://www.classicly.com/download-autobiography-of-benjamin-...