... is an expression that means:
thinking in a different way than other people, or
finding a new solution
For example, some people in Holland are building a house out of plastic blocks (made by a 3D printer). They are thinking outside the box.
The opposite would be: stuck in the box
This means: always doing things the same way, never thinking of a new way
For example: They always drew in the same style; they were stuck in the box.