Why ChatGPT feels frustrating for Creatives

... and how custom GPTs change everything

If you're a creative and you've tried ChatGPT before, chances are you've had one of these thoughts:

"This sounds so generic."
"Why doesn't it get my style?"
"Everyone says AI is amazing, but this feels kind of useless."

If that's you, I want to start with this:

You're not bad at AI.

AI just wasn't built with creatives in mind.

Let me explain.

The problem isn't you, it's the tool

Most AI tools, including ChatGPT, were originally designed for people who love structure, logic and linear thinking.

Creative people work differently.

We think in:

images
moods
vibes

intuition
half-formed ideas
visual references

ChatGPT, on the other hand, works with text and probability.

It doesn't automatically understand aesthetics, style or creative nuances.

So, when you open a blank chat and type something like

"Help me come up with pattern ideas"

you'll often get answers that feel flat.

That's not because AI can't be creative. It's because it's missing context.

Why ChatGPT sounds so generic

By default, ChatGPT doesn't know:

who you are
what kind of creative work you do
your aesthetic preferences
your experience level
your industry
your goals

So, it gives neutral, broadly applicable answers that won't offend anyone, but also won't inspire you.

Think of it like asking strangers on the street to help you design a collection. They might try, but they don't know your world.

The missing ingredient: direction

Here's the key insight most creatives never hear:

AI becomes creative when you give it direction.

Without direction, it stays generic.

With direction, it becomes surprisingly helpful.

This is where custom GPTs come in.

What is a custom GPT?

A custom GPT is simply ChatGPT with a clear setup.

Instead of starting from scratch every time, you define things like:

who the assistant is
who it's helping
what it should do
how it should speak
what it should avoid

You're not coding. You're designing behaviour.

In other words: You're creating an assistant that understands your creative world.

Why custom GPTs feel so different?

Once a GPT has context, everything changes.

Instead of: "Here are some pattern ideas"

You get: "Here are five cozy, botanical pattern ideas with a soft, feminine aesthetic, perfect for your style"

The answers feel more relevant, more aligned, more usable and more inspiring. And suddenly AI stops feeling frustrating and starts feeling supportive.

A small step you can try today

If you're curious but still hesitant, I recommend starting small.

I created a free Color Palette Muse, a simple custom GPT that helps creatives generate beautiful, thoughtful color palettes based on moods, themes or vibes.

It's a gentle way to experience what AI can feel like when it's built for creatives, not for spreadsheets.

👉 You can try the Color Palette Muse for free here: Explore Color Palette Muse

No tech knowledge required. Just curiosity.

Final Thought

AI isn't here to replace creativity.

It's here to support it (when used intentionally).

If ChatGPT has frustrated you in the past, that doesn't mean AI isn't for you. It just means you haven't met the right assistant yet. And that can change.

PS: If you enjoy the Color Palette Muse, you might also like my Cozy Pattern Muse, a full creative assistant for surface pattern designers that helps with ideas, planning, trends and workflows.

But start small. Curiosity first.