Regarding JG, I was reading an obituary today about a graphic designer who was responsible for many world famous, iconic logotypes and typefaces.
In an interview, he said young people often ask him if he could teach them to be a great graphic artist. He said he can only give them the tools. To be great, they have to have the eye and innate ability. Otherwise, it's like asking if he could teach someone to be a great writer. Sure, he said. Here's a dictionary. Now just arrange the words. Or teaching someone to write a hit song. Here are all the notes in the scale. Just put them in the right order.