One thing that's helped me is exposing myself to modern 3D media that enthusiasts seem to talk a lot about. For example, the new season of Arcane is a hot topic for lots of 3D artists specifically because of the unique shading that can be seen in the show, as well as the magical 2D/3D mixture in lots of scenes that makes viewing it a surreal experience. I think seeing live examples instead of reading about the trend itself is a lot more effective. Another thing I've found helpful is keeping an eye out for new features dropped for all 3D software, even if I don't use them myself. My example of that would be the Mash feature in Autodesk Maya, it was a huge trend back when it released, and it's so fascinating for any 3D artist to look at.

It’s less scary and more fun when you’re not figuring it all out alone. As a 3D fashion designer, I’m always talking to other designers to learn new things. I also ask my mentors for advice and I stay close to others who are trying to grow like me.

Dive into trending 3D art forums, follow top creators on platforms like ArtStation, and binge-watch industry tutorials on YouTube. Experiment with emerging tools like AI-powered design software and keep an eye on game engines like Unreal and Unity for the latest features.