— Isabelle Nicole Ahadzadeh

- Make lists: Thinking creatively is not as easy as it sounds. Create lists to guide and move your concept in the right direction. Make a word list of the top 50 things that come to mind and go from there. Process is a big part of each project.

- Rub some dirt on it: Don’t be afraid to get dirty and use objects that shouldn’t be used for their original purpose. Everything has hidden purposes. Ink it, throw it, rip it, burn it.

- There’s always a first: If you want to be the first person to create something, go for it! However, there’s always the need for research or else you’ll never really know if you were the first. There are many people on the planet that think the same way as you. Always gather inspiration and do your research – let past and current work change or influence you.

- Free to be: The use of color will help tremendously. Don’t underestimate black and white. Experiment with different techniques of making. Don’t underestimate the cliché ways of making. Textures and patterns can help the look and feel. They can add some “cool” to your image. Do it bigger, better, brighter.

- Words fuel movement: Typography is everywhere. It can be drawn, typed, designed or sculpted. It can be the image or the description. It’s important to consider the thickness of your line and the message you want your type to send. Think about it beyond what the word is. Experiment with how bold it is. Hierarchy can be achieved by size, thickness and even placement on the page.

- Let age free the soul: Talent doesn’t only get better with age. The way the mind works at different stages of your life is just that – different. Allow the lack of a structured knowledge and the innocence of a child embrace your work. Allow the anger from your pain add thickness to your lines. Allow the wisdom of your elders add detail, and allow the mindlessness of the living bring joy. Sketch it, draw it, paint it, glob it.

- Sing a duet: The additional person here or there can help when you’re stuck as well as when you’re on a roll or just starting. Look through old sketchbooks for use in better, more interesting ways. Create an archive of awesome shit (regardless of if it’s your style or not). Let someone else add a twist you may not be able to. You know what they say: “Opposites attract.”

- Tell a story: People love seeing things they can relate to (that’s one of the reasons that things like Dachshund fan clubs exist so successfully online). Let your imagery and imagination tell a story.

- Try it once, then try it again: Don’t be afraid to fail. Eliminate failure as an option and try more than one thing at a time. Allow the rhythm to flow through you. Create what is unthinkable as well as the literal. Refine your choices; repeat.