4 creative tips that will have you saying 'dag-dag' to your artistic slump

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(Image credit: Amazon)

Two people and a chicken with Sims plumbobs above their head

Inspiration is fickle. It shows up when it wants, and you need to use every tool at your disposal to harness it. That could be a word processor, a microphone, or a game that lets you see your surroundings in a new way. For content creator and filmmaker Amanda Gordon, that game was The Sims.

Some might think it’s strange to categorize a game like The Sims as a tool, but whether you’re designing the floor plan of your new abode or thinking about experimenting with a buzz cut, The Sims provides you with a sandbox to build your dreams. Gordon had the tool, but what would the project be?

(Image credit: Amazon)

A woman sitting on a bed with a Sims decision overlay around her

Build a Supportive Environment

The first expert Gordon worked with was an interior designer named Francesca Grace, who credits The Sims with helping her find her passion. “When I was little, I played with dolls and dollhouses. When The Sims came out, it was another level of creativity and being able to actually see in 3D what I was envisioning,” she says. Her primary advice for Gordon starts with passion: “Anything that captivates and inspires you is the best place to start.”

But your environment isn’t just where you are — it’s also the cohort around you. That’s why Amazon Ads is so important to business owners and creatives. It’s able to give you the tools you need to reach your audience. Amazon Ads has found that gaming ad campaigns that incorporate videos and other immersive content get nearly three times more clicks that result in purchases than campaigns that don’t have immersive content. Whether you’re trying to reach more customers or build brand awareness, they can provide a supportive environment for you to do your best work.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Screenshot of The Sims featuring two women

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

You don’t have to learn how to airbrush your entire wardrobe, but all the best ideas happen when you’re pushed beyond your limits. A new idea hits an old one, and suddenly, you’re off to the races with a concept unique to you. Try things you aren’t good at, and familiarize yourself with the unknown. You may find your borders expanded in new and exciting ways.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Two women playing The Sims

The Mess Is the Point

Making something wholly new is a messy process. Just ask Gordon’s third partner, Cale Tyson. A musician for over a decade, Tyson has discovered a new love: making ceramics.

Ceramics are a naturally messy process with a lot of room for error. How does an artist deal with that kind of steep learning curve? “I think it all comes back to, ‘Do I love what I’m doing?’ If you love doing it for yourself and other people enjoy it, that’s a win-win,” says Tyson.

In short, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. With focus and iteration, an imperfect process can create a perfect product. Every broken pot is a contributor. The same goes for your “broken” ideas. You never know when one will serve as the basis for your next great artistic breakthrough.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Two women, one with a Sims plumbob abover their head

Broadcast Your Message

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Build a Supportive Environment#

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone#

The Mess Is the Point#

Broadcast Your Message#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

Build a Supportive Environment

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

The Mess Is the Point

Broadcast Your Message

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals