Jewelery Design is a very specialized field of expertise requiring expert knowledge in both the artistic and technical aspects of conceptualizing and creating jewellery. It demands working knowledge of the fundamentals of metal and gemstones, as well as a mastery of traditional artisan skills and tools. It is also a highly creative and imaginative practice that requires the use of visual language to convey ideas to the viewer.
Jewelry designers create collections of pieces that are cohesive in nature and have a theme or element running throughout the collection. This ties the pieces together and makes them more attractive and appealing to customers. Cohesive collections help build perceived value and are the key to successful collections.
Whether a collection uses the same design elements, a similar material/metal or a specific shape, all of these are important when creating a jewelry collection. This helps your customer make a connection between the piece and the designer. Keeping your collection cohesive shows your professional skill and attention to detail and helps your customers feel confident in their purchase decision.
Aside from the basic 3D modeling software, most CAD systems offer a number of features specifically tailored to the needs of jewellery designers. Some of these include: custom loft profiles, twisted lofts, advanced multi-rail sweeps, and torsades, braiding, special effects, size ranges, drill holes, technical drawings, pave settings, and sophisticated texturing based on mesh or image input. Some software also supports surface and volume rendering, allowing you to see your creations in full color.
For the more seasoned jewelery designer, Rhinoceros and Grasshopper allow for complex geometry creations and parametric designs. Using these programs can help you explore endless possibilities in your designs and unlock the potential for unique jewelry that will set you apart from other jewelry designers.
Another option is Mudbox, a digital painting and sculpting tool acquired by Autodesk which is especially useful for organic shapes. This software works differently than most 3D Jewelry CAD Software, with layers and the ability to store different details passes and blend them with one another. This allows you to make subtle and detailed changes without having to redo the entire design from scratch.
The most successful jewelry designers learn to use multiple tools and have a good understanding of a variety of CAD techniques. If you are interested in trying a new software, consider taking an introduction class with an experienced teacher who is a user of the software. Getting personal training with an instructor can dramatically improve your experience and speed up the learning process. You can find these classes at schools, events, open-door days and conventions. You may even be able to try the software for free at these venues! Ultimately, the best way to decide which software is right for you is to use it and experiment with different methods. Ultimately, you should be comfortable with the program and feel at home with it. Then you can begin designing your own jewelry!
