Hello everyone. We are going to talk about
Do we need to learn jewelry fabrication, gemology, before learning jewelry design.
Are you ready? Let's get started!
Many student ask me, should I learn
gemology and hand fabrication
before I can learn jewelry design
The answer is "not really"
because jewelry design, gemology and metal fabrication
there are three different fields.
When a jewelry designer start a project,
If it is a small project
most of the time, you already have the gemstone to use.
You have to use certain stones
Or certain type of gem stones
so what a jewelry designer need to consider when design jewelry
The design process is a process of problem solving.
in English is "problem solving"
but it doesn't mean there is a "problem"
but there are certain limitations and goals to reach.
for example
If you are a jewelry designer
and your boss coming to the office and says
we are going to design winter collection in 2020
there is one year time from now.
and we are going to design
the theme fit our brand identity
for example, your company brand identity is
soft, feminism
and full of color
but in minimal style
those will be your design goals.
You as a designer need to reach those goals from company's requests.
At the same time
you need to do research
what is the color trend in 2020
trend for forms
Use those design goals
to design jewelry
In this case, when you are consider which gem to use
you are not consider the inclusion of the stone
or the level (quality)
Because your boss may also tell you
Our price on this collect
is set for USD $50, $100, $120 or $200
In this case, if you plan to use expensive gem
The design won't fit the budget
So if you work for a cooperation.
there will be sourcing department
their job is searching
the materials (gem and metal) that will fit the budget.
So what is jewelry designer's main concern
form, shape, color, size ect....
and the layout or arrangement
to reach the design goals
So the question is learning gemology will help jewelry design or not?
the answer is YES, but
is it a necessary skill to have for jewelry designer?
it is not really. because it is complete different field.
but if you are jewelry store owner
or you are designing a high value piece
custom jewelry
If you have the gemology knowledge
when you purchase the gem stone
You won't buy the wrong gem or fall in the scam
In this case, having gemology knowledge is very important.
but most of the designer
do not need to do the purchase
Following up, let's talk about the hand fabrication.
is it benefit for jewelry design if you know how to fabricate metal
The answer is YES
but do you need to have high level skill before you can design jewelry
before you become a jewelry designer
the answer is Not Really
For example, if you never set a gem stone
and you have no knowledge about stone setting
Your 3D model or your design sketch
It may not be accurate
because you don't understand how the stone is set on the jewelry
This is why many "industrial designer"
if he/she know how to use Rhino
or know how to build 3D model
their 3D model is not fit for jewelry production
So I will recommend people
If you want to learn jewelry design
Go take a stone setting class to experience once or twice
Or at least to learn the concept of stone setting
after that your 3D model will make more sense
If you don't have the chance to learn hand fabrication
but you understand the principle or concept of stone setting
and corporate them into your jewelry design
You still can be a jewelry designer
On the other hand, If you want to be a jewelry designer
what are the basic skills you need?
problem solving ability
in other word, logic thinking
after analysis on the problem, come up a logical solution
and apply the solution on the design
second, sketch ability
we are not talking about beautiful water color painting
not the traditional painting
but communication sketch
The purpose of sketch is for the communication
It is not the transitional hand rendering
and one more important thing for upcoming new jewelry designer
It is 3D modeling. It is getting more popular to use 3D printing.
It is hard to find very skill hand carved craftsmen now
A lot of people are moving to use 3D modeling
It will getting popular in Asia as well.
When 3D printer is getting more affordable
there will be not many people carve wax by hand
There are a great benefit to have hand carved wax
It will leave some handmade trace
but the technology is getting better and better
You can leave some human trace on the piece with digital method.
it is very important to learn 3D modeling if you want to be a jewelry designer
Beside these skills
be open minded. Many designers will add
their own options strongly in to the design
and force your client to accept it.
For example your personal favor colors
and your personal favor forms
if you can be open mind and listen what your customer want
You will understand you are designing for people
not force people to like the design of your own.
Those are very important quality for a jewelry designer.
Ok. That is the talk for today. If you like my video,
Please like and share. If you have other questions about
jewelry design. you can leave the comment below.
thank you. See you next!