Constraints breed creativity

You don't need expensive tools to create remarkable work.

"Hey, Ash! What tools do you use?"

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I get asked this question fairly often on social media, so I've decided to officially share my stance on this subject matter.

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The key to creating work that you're proud of has little to do with the tools you have.

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Even if you have cutting-edge expensive gadgets, it won't matter if you don't have the necessary drawing, design, or coding foundational skills.

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Always prioritize the fundamentals, which can often be learned and practiced on a napkin.

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After all, I personally continue to use "outdated" second-hand tools for everything I do.

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I just didn't upgrade my tools until I knew how to create work I felt proud of in the most rudimentary way.

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Here's a concept that completely changed my perspective on creativity:

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"Constraints breed creativity."

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The more limitations you have the more likely you'll be to come up with a brilliant solution or approach.

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In fact, some of the most amazing creations in this world thrived because of their constraints.

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In 2012 Nintendo launched the DS, an affordable hand-held console directed at children and Nintendo enthusiasts.

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This little plastic console with a rather pixelated screen came with a free bonus app called Flipnote Studio.

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This tool allowed you to create mini frame-by-frame animations using pixel art.

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It was the most rudimentary animation software I've ever seen, yet the most fun.

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In the following year, thousands and thousands of amazing 2D animations were published using Flipnote Studio.

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And all these fabulous artsy videos were being created by people who had never touched editing software before.

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They were able to channel their creativity with Flipnote Studio because the tool was so incredibly simple and limited that they weren’t distracted and confused by the thousands of options that traditional animation software has.

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For once, the tool wasn’t getting in the way of the creator.

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I can't even put into words how much fun I had using it and watching all these fantastically creative pieces people were making.

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Here’s one animation I made using Flipnote!

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One day I stumbled across a YouTube video with a seemingly interesting thumbnail of a street drummer.

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I clicked on it out of sheer curiosity and I was really impressed by how good and entertaining this drummer was.

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The thing is that this drummer wasn't using a usual drum kit... He was actually using a bunch of paint buckets he had found on the streets, which made the video ten times more impressive, to say the least.

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If this amazing drummer had had the most amazing drums kit he wouldn't have gone so viral and impacted so many lives.

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He just didn't need an expensive drum kit to show his talent and skill.

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Not having the best tools can sometimes be an advantage if you're creative.

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“It's not the arrow, it's the archer.”

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Great love and respect,

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Ash Lamb

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visualgrowth.com