Suzy Dotson

Suzy Dotson I'm a Bird! - Entry 29 We all remember that famous quote from the Notebook. That is what I immediately thought of when I was driving down Greenville at sunset as saw the most birds I had ever seen in my entire life. They always seem to linger around that intersection.  Why that spot? Where did they come from? Where are they going? While I sat waiting for the light to turn green, these questions ran through my head. What a beautiful life it must be flying around, without a care in the world, jumping from one place to the next.  I love this picture. The pure freedom they have made me crave it. I wrote this haiku to reflect my thoughts: Freedom at last Oh how I've been needing it  All pain has surpassed 

Suzy Dotson Eulogies - Entry 28  How weird that the same day I write two pretend eulogies for myself my grandmother passes away? Life is weird that way.  Creative Assignment 3 really put a lot into perspective for me. What WILL  people say about me when I die? Will my college friends mention how I got too drunk that one night at Home Bar? Or will that be a distant memory by the time my funeral rolls around? What is going to happen between now and then? Is there someone that will be speaking at my funeral that I haven't even met yet?  I have been to my fair share of funerals over the years -- not a fun place to be. But it does provide a place to reflect. Reflect on their life, my life, and how my life changed with being a part of it.  That sounds a lot like creativity -- reflection. Maybe not so much reflecting on loss or what could have been, but reflecting on what was. What was so special, was so great, was so impactful. You can't create without some sort of reflection. Eve

Suzy Dotson Trends - Entry 27  Trends: do they make us more or less creative? My TikTok is flooded with trends - outfit trends, makeup trends, food trends, sound trends. It feels like TikTok has just become a game of who can copy an idea the best instead of forming and executing original ideas.  Have trends made us less creative? If we are only copying other people, is there space to form new ideas? What happened to creators promoting original content? Now it's just all about "nostalgia" A.K.A. taking the original ideas of the 90s and 2000s.  On the opposite scope, maybe trends DO make us more creative. If we take a base idea, for example, a new trendy outfit idea, and constantly add new things, we are creating an entire new idea. Trying to adjust,  take away, and add new ideas to a base idea is connecting. Connecting one idea to one idea. Connecting is creativity.  Maybe trends are making us less creative, maybe they are making us very creatively. Either way, we can'

Suzy Dotson Summer Foods - Entry  I took this picture of my lunch last summer sitting by the pool. Now sitting in my marketing class with assignments piling up and seeing the sunshine through the window, it is all I can think about. I long for the  days of no to-do lists, sand, and hair soaked with salt water.  I feel like cooking, baking, and making meals is one of the most underrated creative techniques. We see it as a chore, something that has to be done. But it can be such a pivotal moment in your day to stretch yourself creatively. It can be a time to take directions and find ways to add your own creative spin. It can be a way to make a boring, plain recipe and make it appear gourmet. It can be a place to experiment with color and texture. 

Suzy Dotson Guts - Entry 25  My brother just sent me the photo on the left and it is safe to say it has become my new favorite picture.  That is our candid, real reaction to seeing Olivia Rodrigo pop onto the stage during her Guts Tour in Nashville over spring break.  Concerts are one of the greatest part of the human experience. They are so special. Seeing people from all backgrounds, careers, and ages come together on one night just to sing their hearts out brings me to tears.  We are all go, go, go. But we all collectively decided to spend a few hours on a Saturday night admiring and celebrating the work of our favorite artists. It's beautiful. 

Suzy Dotson Chiat Day - Entry 24  Today, my group presented on the ad agency Chiat Day. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. As we near the end of the semester, it feels like everyday there is a new assignment, new deadline, and the clock keeps ticking towards finals.  But I wanted to reflect on all that I have learned about the remarkable work done at Chiat Day. How amazing is it that a sinking agency could combine with a profitable agency to create one of the most esteemed, powerful companies in the advertising world? That is what I love about creativity -- it is all about connections. Connecting two unlikely partners created a masterpiece. Connecting an outlandish idea, 1984, with an unknown computer brand, Apple, created an ad that went down in history.  With connections, time also plays a huge role in the creative process. So many times, whether that be in an advertising class or art history class, we hear about artists who struggled but are now famous, long afte

Suzy Dotson OOTD (Outfit of the Day) - Entry 23  Picking out an outfit might seem like the most boring activity on the planet. Or, possibly not even boring, just a mundane task that we humans have to do every single day.  You wake up, brush your teeth, and throw on an outfit and shoes. Every. Single. Day.  I thought about how such a boring task is actually our first glimpse into creativity. Red tie or blue tie? That's a creative choice. Athletic clothes or should I dress up for class? That's a creative choice.  It opened my eyes into the millions of little creative choices that we get to make every day. These choices can affect our entire day. These choices can add a tiny bit of joy into our days and allow us to use the creative side of our brains, even when we feel like the most uncreative person on the planet. So, instead of rolling my eyes and viewing picking out an outfit as a chore, I am taking this small opportunity to stretch my creativity and add a sprinkle of joy into

Suzy Dotson Spring is Here! Entry 22 This weekend was beautiful. I enjoyed time outside, going on walks, and driving with the windows. Spring is officially here and I feel rejuvenated. I feel like a snake that has shed his old winter skin and is ready for the warm weather and later nights.  I began to think about the mass effect that better weather and longer days can have on humans. I have always been one to suffer from S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and I am not a fan of the winter months. But when the sun begins to come out, I feel such a sense of rebirth and I have noticed that others around me feel the same. Warm weather has an effect on our moods, but can it affect our creative senses? I believe so.  The cold constricts us -- we stay inside, bundled up, and go to bed early because the sun sets at 5pm. When the seasons change, so do we. We are more willing, and even prefer, walking to class. We'd take the long way home so we can keep our windows listening to music. We ev

Suzy Dotson I Hate the Economy - Entry  I hate the economy we are in. I hate spending a fortune on things like gas and groceries. I hate dropping a billion dollars on things I used to get for cheap. I hate not even being able to get a $1 Dr. Pepper from McDonald's anymore. Ugh.  But I began to think about the effect that this bad phase we are in has on creatives and artists. Is a struggling economy good or bad for the creative market?  We have seen an influx of movies, TV shows, and music. Why? Well, people need work and if you work in those industries, then creating content is your gateway to a paycheck. But are any projects failing because of the economy? What are projects that we don't get to see or enjoy just simply because producers and studios are short on cash? Or are they even being effected like other industries? I also began to ponder the emotional toll our country is in and how that impacts creatives. How are artists responding in their projects to what is going on a

Suzy Dotson Pinterest - Entry 20 Pinterest is the OCDers heart to creativity. As a type A person like myself, creativity can seem daunting. Too much chaos and not enough order in the creative process. The stereotypical 'creative' has crazy hair, running late, and is losing all track of getting things done. So when I am asked to 'be creative' I'd just rather jump ship that turn into one of those . And then I thought about Pinterest. It is FULL of creative ideas. It is, quite literally, a way to express and organize creative ideas by connecting and reaching others. I love Pinterest. The minute I have a creative assignment, room to decorate, or outfit to plan, I am going to Pinterest.  It really is the perfect connection of creative, outlandish ideas and organized structure. 

Suzy Dotson Nail Colors - Entry 19  I sat down at the nail salon last week and loomed over the impending pile of colors that sat before me. Pink, purples, blues, even sparkly shades just waiting to be chosen by the girl who decided to step into the salon that afternoon. I love how women from all backgrounds -- moms, corporate heads, nurses -- all come together in this 'community' to complete one simple task. It is a beautiful representation of girlhood.  Picking out a nail color may seem like the most mindless task but it is a big decision. First, you are stuck with this color for the next three weeks. Second, you are spending a fortune so you have to like the color you are picking. Third, your nail color says a lot about the person you are -- feeling bold this week or sticking with a subtle nude?  I love seeing little creative choices like this that humans make. It reminds me that at the end of the day, no matter how creative or uncreative one may seem, we each get to engage i

Suzy Dotson Art Therapy - Entry 18 Many people engage with the arts because they are good at it. They are "artists." They have proven to the world that they are talented at their chosen skill and have chosen to spend their lives pursuing their talents.  But what about those of us that aren't as talented in the arts? Should we just stick to what we know and leave it to the professionals? Or is there a place for us in the creative space? I think yes.  Art does not have to be perfect. Art does not have to be acclaimed by many to be thought of as 'good.' I believe art can simply be a form of therapy. I have reflected many times over in my blog posts that I use art as a way to calm down and easy my anxiety. But self-doubt creeps into my head telling my that is not a good enough reason to try something artistic.  I have to remind myself that it is. Choosing to draw, paint, play the piano, make a sculpture, or create a Pinterest board for the sake of therapy is enough. A

Suzy Dotson GRWM (Get Ready With Me) - Entry 17  There is nothing more fun for me than taking the time to get ready, whether that be for a walk around the neighborhood or for a formal event. Putting on makeup, doing my hair, and carefully articulating an outfit is a creative outlet I use every day. Because this seems like such a mundane activity, I did not think of it as a creative outlet. But being able to take a blank canvas and make it up into something beautiful, new, or different is creativity if I've ever seen it. 

Suzy Dotson Covid? Creativity - Entry 16 When COVID struck, I was feeling hopeless. Am I ever going to be able to leave my house again? We all felt trapped, confused, and lost. But after the initial shock of the pandemic died down and we began to set a quarantine routine for ourselves, I remember having a conversation with my mom about the impact it was going to have on creativity.  We were reflecting on how all businesses had stopped, the stock market was crashing, and it seemed like the normal ways things had been run were no more. Humans were standing still. There was no more rushing, no more moving to the next thing, no more working towards something better—because we couldn't.  I looked at my mom and said, "We are going to see more art, more movies, and more creativity than we ever have before." She looked at me like I was crazy. People are depressed, sad, mental health is crippling, how are they going to be creative? It's because we now had the time to be still.

Suzy Dotson Doodle Time - Entry 15  Today, I was doodling in class. I doodle due to one factor, and one factor only -- boredom.  But I began thinking about the impacts that doodling has on our brains and why we do it. Is it simply just boredom, or do we lack so much creativity in the classrooms that our minds are begging for something even remotely artistic? I'm sure you're thinking, "Come on now, it's not that serious." You're probably right.  It is interesting to think about how doodling can positively impact our time listening to lectures and taking notes. Does it help us remember what is being said? Does it calm us down, therefore allowing us to retain more new information?  I believe I doodle to help relax my brain. We are going, going, going, especially as college students. When I sit down in class, I feel my mind and my hands yearning for some form of freedom—freedom from the tight constraints that classes put on us and the constraints we put on ourselv

Suzy Dotson Exit Through the Gift Shop - Entry 14 While this "Exit Through the Gift Shop" was a documentary exploring Banksy, Theirry, and their creative journey, I believe this was a true insight into the hold that power, confidence, and marketing can have on a project.  Let's face it -- Theirry was a crazy lunatic with a dream. There are lots of people out in the world with these great, wonderful, and innovative ideas, but the chances of actually seeing these projects come to life are slim to none. It takes a plan, organization, and people to make something out of the ordinary come to fruition. And that's what Theirry did. For some reason, people trusted him and his vision. For some reason, without any organization, he was able to pull off his art exhibit and make $1 million in sales in one week. That is the power of marketing.  It is crucial for artists to understand the importance of marketing. We often see marketing as advertising, spreadsheets, etc., but as arti

Suzy Dotson Oh, Wait... You are Creative - Entry 13 I have been struggling in this class. When I look at my classmates, I feel incompetent, uncreative, and sub-par. Feeling like an uncreative person is not a good feeling. In a world that praises entertainment, movies, TV shows, and social media, being creative feels like a necessary character trait.  But I began to reflect. I thought about my childhood and how I wasn't into sports like the other kids. What did I do with my time? I went to piano lessons. I took painting classes with my friends. I preferred drawing and painting over playing a game or playing with dolls. My favorite Christmas gift as a child was a Crayola wooden suitcase filled with what seemed like every crayon, marker, and colored pencil in the entire world.  You are creative. You do like the arts. You are good at the arts.  Sometimes, it takes a little bit of self-reflection and self-love to remember what can be lost in our memories. 

Suzy Dotson Ads I Love - Entry 12 During the Super Bowl, I came across this ad on TikTok. It stopped me in my tracks—I thought it was utterly genius. The Elf Cosmetics ads feature several A-list celebrities, including Judge Judy Sheindlin, Suits stars Gina Torres, Rick Hoffman, and Sarah Rafferty, and singer Meaghan Trainor, along with countless others. This ad is so genius because it incorporates humor and pop culture while staying true to trends and fascinations of Gen Z. Sometimes, we become so bogged down with advertisements because we see so many crappy, poorly executed commercials thrown our way. It was nice to see something entertaining and attention-grabbing. 

Suzy Dotson Taking a Break - Entry 11 To say I needed spring break would be an understatement. For the past few years, I have taken the Cabo and tequila route, but due to a rough semester, I decided to take it easy in Florida with my family. It showed me the effects that rest can have on my mind, body, and soul. And even my creativity. Living in a go, go, go world can hinder our ability to think let alone come up with creative content. It is so necessary for the brain to take a few days off and see what can sprout. 

Suzy Dotson Commercial Making Process - Entry 10  The commercial-making process was actually quite enjoyable. I procrastinated as long as I could because, honestly, I am not the most tech-savvy, and the idea of using online software to make a video terrified me. But once I did my research, found out I could use Canva, and started my work, I found out that I loved doing it. It was so fun to take a blank "canvas" and completely make something new and fresh.  I realized, and have mentioned here before, the total crippling effect that fear can have on the creative process. I let my fear infiltrate my procrastination when I shouldn't have -- I knew what I was doing and ended up loving the process. My lesson here is to put fear aside and trust my creative instincts, even when it comes to such a scary task as technology. 

Suzy Dotson New York Times - Entry 9 Ahh, the New York Times game app -- what a wonderful way to waste time. But in all seriousness, I have fallen in love with this app. It is such a great way to stretch my mind, make me think outside the box, and feel productive all at the same time. This app, whether I'm playing Wordle, Connections, or the Mini Crossword, has made me think in ways I never have before. It has allowed me to think creatively, not just simply answer a question or fill in the blanks.  I think that is one of the coolest things about indulging in something creative --  feeling productive while simply playing. 

Suzy Dotson Sweet Heart - Entry 8 I saw this ad while sitting in Digita Media Strategy over Jan Term and found myself absolutely fascinated with it. And then I could not stop thinking about the process. Did an intern jump up from her seat and run into her boss's office, facing the impending laughter, but sticking with her choice? Did a sad, recently dumped millennial secretary at the ad agency spark creativity for the art director? Did it take months and months to come up with something even remotely funny?  I found myself wanting to be a fly on the wall for the entire creative process. That's how you know you have a good project, piece of music, tv show, movie, or play -- the audience wants more.