Here I will point out some basic principles in my professional practice, some of which are related to creative intuition, while others are technical rules that I have learned as a result of professional curiosity, a lot of studying, extensive experience, sometimes by trial and error, and which make both my life and the lives of my clients easier.
The first thing when I start a project that involves creativity, rather than purely technical tasks, is to imagine its look and feel. Sometimes that vision comes quickly and spontaneously, other times requires more exploration.
And when the client is happy with the concept, comes the next step - deciding which tools will be best suited for the job. The more tools one is proficient with, the more efficient and flexible one is, especially when it comes to complex 3D animation and visual effects, but this means in-depth, up-to-date knowledge and experience with these tools, and also good time management skills.
One of the most crucial technical considerations I take into account when starting a project involving computer graphics and video is what medium they are intended for. This includes resolution and color space. Even when the final product is intended for a variety of media, a skilled professional MUST know where to start so as not to sacrifice quality in either case, saving unnecessary time, money and headaches for themselves and the client. And if resolution is a relatively simple subject, understanding color spaces again requires in-depth, up-to-date knowledge and a wealth of experience.
Carefree artist
Target media
When it comes to delivering the final product, it is essential to know the specifics of the required file formats and, in the case of video, codecs and bitrate settings. Each media has its own technical requirements and specs and it is important to know these well before the last minute as ignorance of these details can lead to unpleasant surprises, loss of valuable time, stress and missed deadlines.
So when someone relies on me as an artist, it's just as important for me to be proficient in my craft as it is to be creative.