3D Basics: References

References are one of the most important things, even before starting the 3D scene!

The best way is to make yourself a moodboard with a lot of references of what you want to archive.
On websites like miro.com you can create these in an infinit space. I recommend to build the moodboard and the storyboard there or on similar tools but together.

You should take references on every detail (depending on what will be visible in the scene and how close it will be to the camera).
Even for imagined things you should use references! Creating a slimy alien wall? Check for snails, octopuses and similar!

If you have a close up, you need references for imperfections, edges and so on.