Jewelry can be a great way to revamp your look. Whether you are looking for something to bring out the best in your figure or just add an extra touch of class, you will find plenty of options to fit your tastes. However, it is important to make sure that the piece you choose will work with your overall image. For this reason, it is crucial to consult with a professional designer.
Jewelery Design is a highly specialized field of design that involves combining both fashion and technical concepts into a completed jewelry item. The process can involve a number of factors, including the choice of material, shape, color, symmetry, weight, and use of techniques and tools. It also requires an understanding of metallurgy and gemology to create a piece that will stand the test of time. This field is typically reserved for those with a high level of artisanal ability, which includes a strong fashion sense, manual dexterity, and the ability to visualize the finished product.
Many jewelry designers start their careers in the field by participating in a design competition. These events offer a unique opportunity to gain experience and build connections in the industry. Those who are successful in these competitions often go on to establish their own studios and make their names in the jewelry world.
Traditionally, a designer will illustrate a jewelry idea by hand using traditional drafting and sketching methods at the conceptual stage. As technology advances, this process is increasingly being replaced with 3D modeling software. CAD programs like Rhinoceros 3D and Matrix have become a staple in the jewelry design industry, especially for preparing a CNC cut or 3D printed wax pattern for rubber molding or lost wax casting. In some cases, the CAD model can also be used directly for fabrication in metal.
A variety of free and commercial 3D modeling solutions are available for jewelry designers to experiment with the digital transformation of their traditional artisanal art form. Jewelry-specific applications such as Blender and JCD have a range of specific design wizards that allow for rapid and easy creation of base models while tools such as the envelope distorter and sculpting axes offer the ability to perform freeform shape manipulations. Grasshopper-like generative design functionalities can be employed to generate organic filigree lattice networks for complex gem settings and other embellishments.
Once a final jewelry design has been conceived, a digital file can be converted to a physical prototype by using a stereolithography 3D printer. Whether it is used to verify proportion or as a try-on model during a client session, the ability to see and wear a piece of jewelry before finalizing the order can increase customer satisfaction and drive sales. Alternatively, a layered nylon or plastic resin such as Formlabs Grey Resin can be used to quickly fabricate a quick and cheap prototype for testing purposes. In either case, these iterations can greatly speed up the process of bringing a jewelry design to market.
