Whether you’re looking to start a business in jewelry design or are looking to expand an existing business, there are some important steps you should take first. A strong artistic vision is essential for a successful jewelry design business. A creative director at Bulgari, for example, may start by laying out the coloured gemstones, picking combinations and fixing them in putty. After establishing a strong aesthetic vision for the design, he or she will begin modeling the design in computer-aided design software and develop a technical sketch. A 3D printed prototype of the design is then produced for the Bulgari factory.
Traditionally, jewelry design was a very hands-on process. It required a strong understanding of various processes and tools such as sculpting wax, soldering, bending, and stone setting. While these methods are still widely used today, computer-aided design (CAD) programs are becoming a popular choice for jewelry designers. CAD models are used to convert hand-illustrated jewels into metal or wax directly, while freeform sculpting environments are often more appropriate for creating realistic ornaments.
Rhino offers a large library of jewelry-related base models, including gemstones, as well as a variety of other materials. It offers standard surface and solid modeling tools and lets you edit features directly from the viewport. With its built-in 3D library, users can import a wide range of existing jewelry models for inspiration. Lastly, a number of plug-ins can add additional functionality to the software. Despite its limitations, Rhino is an excellent choice for designers.
Jewelry designs often begin with an ornament. For example, an ancient Minoan pendant from Mallia, Crete, is one of the world’s most beautiful works of art. The pendant features a sun disk with two bees holding it up. Rings have relief engravings of hunting and battle scenes. In addition, ornamental motifs include lotus flowers and hand squeezing a woman’s breast. This exemplifies the art of jewelry design and is a lasting legacy that may be passed down from generation to generation.
A formal degree in jewelry design often teaches students metalwork and jewelry construction. If you want to work with unusual materials, however, you will need additional training. Depending on your goals, you can take on additional training by taking online courses, attending workshops, or connecting with professionals in your field. A good course will teach you all the essential elements of jewelry design. It is also important to have creativity. You need to be able to develop innovative designs and improve prototypes to make a successful jewelry design business.
Taking a jewelry design course will help you to build your skills and knowledge of the business. In addition to your artistic talent, you should have some experience in business and marketing. A basic understanding of the business and marketing world will help you organize your production and get your collection in stores. Additionally, you should also have strong communication skills, as you will need to establish a social media following and PR to promote your jewelry collection. While drawing and production skills are important, they are not mandatory to become a successful jewelry designer.
