Think of the sequential/simultaneous difference like this: the right hemisphere is the picture; the left hemisphere is the thousand words.

because of Abundance, businesses are realizing that the only way to differentiate their goods and services in today’s overstocked marketplace is to make their offerings physically beautiful and emotionally compelling.

HOW—This terrific magazine mostly focuses on graphic design. It also has lots of smart business advice, reading recommendations, and an annual design competition that’s a great source of ideas. (More info: www.howdesign.com)

The left hemisphere handles logic, sequence, literalness, and analysis. The right takes care of synthesis, emotional expression, context, and the big picture.

Stealing Fire from the Gods: A

Unlike English, languages that require the reader to supply the vowels by discerning the context are usually written from right to left.

Metropolis—With a strong emphasis on construction and materials, this magazine offers tremendous insight into the built environment. I also like its coverage of sustainable design. (More info: www.metropolismag.com)

High touch involves the ability to empathize with others, to understand the subtleties of human interaction, to find joy in one’s self and to elicit it in others, and to stretch beyond the quotidian in pursuit of purpose and meaning.

The left hemisphere analyzes the details; the right hemisphere synthesizes the big picture.