Here's how you can excel in Computer Graphics by thinking outside the box.

I have experienced many problems in mainting the data of clients and designs. But excel is a mind blowing tool, Now I have managed my data in such a way I know everything about my working files, clients records, sizes records, colors, final sizes rates, calculations and alot more. that is why I consider excel is a must for good graphics designers. "I said "Good" designers"

Find Relevant Platforms: Look for forums, blogs, or websites that focus on computer graphics. Contribute Meaningfully: When contributing to articles or discussions, focus on providing unique insights. For example, you could discuss emerging technologies in rendering, the impact of AI on graphics, or innovative techniques in animation. Your goal should be to add value and share knowledge that reflects your expertise. Showcase Your Perspective: To stand out, ensure your contributions offer fresh viewpoints or solutions to common problems. For instance, if you're knowledgeable about recent advances in real-time rendering, you might explain how they could revolutionize game design or virtual reality experiences.

having base basic understanding of the your tools can be insightful way to build in techniques and processes, understanding these tools you are able to identify in your given project which tool is necessary for each job and how to implement them in mix media, knowing the basic of each tool is fundamental for a designer, how you suppose to build a house without knowing how brick laying tools work?

There are so many opportunities within computer graphics. For example There are industries where its not common sectors where it almost formulaic expectations of what already is Break those down Bring influences from dissimilar places Create something new for that industry Maybe mashup games UIs to present technical information for industrial process Always have the view that it needs to achieve a function that benefits the client It can't just look good it has to work well. Even if you push ideas to the extreme and then only use a small section it still different and fresh. Have fun and bring your personality into your work.

Understanding the basics thoroughly is the first step to innovation. Mastering the fundamental principles of design, composition, color theory, and lighting provides a strong foundation. By deeply understanding these elements, you can push their boundaries creatively. Experiment with how basic principles can be tweaked or combined in unconventional ways to produce unique results.

Don’t limit yourself to just one type of media. Mixing different media, such as combining 2D and 3D elements, or integrating digital and traditional art forms, can lead to novel and captivating results. For instance, using hand-drawn textures on 3D models or incorporating photographic elements into digital paintings can create a distinct and memorable style.

Mix media is most defiantly a great way to see outside the box, one I have never thought of using in graphic design, its always been that base level of fundamentals, but what could possibly go wrong using another media into the mix, and then utilising your design capabilities to engineer a new plane of understanding, this is genius! Will be using this in the future!

Incorporate coding into your creative process. Learning programming languages like Python or JavaScript can open up new possibilities in procedural generation, animation, and interactive graphics. Tools like Processing, Unity, and Blender’s scripting capabilities allow you to create complex effects and automate repetitive tasks, freeing up more time for creative exploration.

Spend time developing conceptual art to explore and communicate new ideas. Conceptual art focuses on the idea behind the work rather than just the final output. This approach encourages you to think deeply about the themes and messages you want to convey, leading to more meaningful and impactful graphics. Conceptual brainstorming can also spark unique visual styles and innovative techniques.

If you're a beginner, collaboration is a catalyst for growth, especially for greenfield projects and open-source initiatives. Working with others, particularly those from different disciplines, can introduce new perspectives and ideas, sparking innovation in computer graphics.

Collaboration brings fresh perspectives and skills to your projects. Work with other artists, designers, coders, and even professionals from different fields. Collaborative projects can introduce you to new tools, methods, and ideas that you might not have considered on your own. Sharing knowledge and techniques can lead to unexpected and exciting results.

Stay curious and committed to continuous learning. The field of computer graphics is constantly evolving, with new tools, technologies, and trends emerging regularly. Take online courses, attend workshops, and participate in webinars to keep your skills updated. Follow industry blogs, join forums, and engage with the community to stay informed and inspired by the latest innovations.

Continuing learning is a must, each year I tend to go over the fundamentals and processes of my skills and knowledge to refresh my brain and understanding to move better forward in my career, this continue learning will show new approaches and ideas by refreshing the mind with learnt or newly learnt knowledge, always be learning, from every source that is possible, you never know when a good idea will strike and have a back up to a plan for someone's idea.

Reference. Reference. Reference. No matter the department, or art form, reference is the key to increasing the quality of your work, honing your eye and broadening your understanding of how things really work. Often we think we understand the nature of things, but upon further study, we realize that we only had a cursory knowledge of the subject. By studying your reference, you can gain subtlety you never knew existed before.These subtleties lead directly to an increase in the quality of your work.

By exploring the basics deeply, mixing different media, embracing coding, developing conceptual art, collaborating frequently, and committing to continuous learning, you can excel in computer graphics by thinking outside the box. This approach not only enhances your technical skills but also fuels your creativity, enabling you to produce groundbreaking and original work.