When it comes to jewelery Design, there is a lot of misinformation floating around. It’s easy to think that creative ability is a gift or something that is hardwired into your brain, but in reality, the art of being able to come up with interesting and valuable ideas can be learned at any age or experience level. In fact, thinking creatively involves the integration and leveraging of three different kinds of ideas. The first, gaining insight and inspiration is important but the real key to creativity lies in how you utilize that idea to create something that is meaningful.
One of the key steps in the jewelry design process is to sketch out the piece you are attempting to make. This gets everyone on the team, from the designer to the jeweler, on the same page so that they can understand what the end result should look like.
Once a clear idea for the piece is established, it’s time to begin creating it. This can be as simple or complex as the design requires. For example, a piece of jewelry that includes gemstones or diamonds may have to be intricately designed to ensure the stones are securely in place. In contrast, a clay or wire-wrapped piece might be simpler to design since the materials do not require as much precision.
During the creation phase it’s important to work within reasonable boundaries so that you can unleash your creative energies and produce the best possible outcome for your project. It’s easy to get stuck trying to do too many things at once. Creating a successful piece of jewelry requires a lot of back and forth, iteration, and trial and error. It also requires a strong understanding of the tools and techniques you’re using and how to use them effectively.
In order to be creative, you must be able to identify new problems and come up with ways to solve them. This is where the flexibility and adaptability skills of a jewelry designer are especially useful. A good jewelry designer will have a “designer tool box” full of fix it strategies that they can pull out and use as needed in each new situation.
FIT’s Jewelry Design program is closely tied to the industry, allowing our students to learn from professionals who can offer valuable advice and guidance on how to succeed in today’s highly competitive market. Our expert faculty members will help you cultivate your own creative voice as you prepare to launch a rewarding career in the field of jewelry and metal arts. To learn more, visit our website today.