I think it depends on what “rule” you are talking about. Sometimes you don’t have to flow a rule but that doesn’t mean you can totally ignore it. Just like the Wright Brother could not ignore gravity when creating a flying machine, quilters can’t ignore things like bias and fabric content. Doesn’t mean they have to limit your design choices, but you do have to keep your eye on anything you intentionally broke so that it doesn’t overwhelm your ability to create a flat quilt top that can be made into a finished quilt.