Thursday, April 1, 2010

My Design Process

Once a month, members of the EtsyMetal team are asked a question and then requested to blog about it simultaneously. This month's question is: The Creative Process: How do you plan and organize for design?

I use simple geometric forms as the building blocks for most of my designs, which are inspired by architecture, machines, toys and nature. When I get a new idea or see a shape that excites me, I try to get a quick sketch down on paper. Many of my designs are modular and linear...so as I begin to work with that idea or shape, I move things around and create multiple variations. As a result, sometimes the design evolves or completely changes, many times it grows into a whole collection of jewelry (eg: bracelets, earrings and necklaces). I do this both on paper and with the metal parts I make....
I really like designing by playing with "pieces parts" and as a result of that, my bench is always completely cluttered. I have many "parts" all over the place...ready for me to arrange and re-arrange and re-arrange...until someday it becomes a finished design. This is both good and bad. I like being reminded of my many ideas and their "parts" but is also distracting and just a down-right messy. I have been meaning to do a serious clean up for months but I am very good at procrastination! And don't forget what Albert Einstein said:
If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, Of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?

Please visit the other blogs participating in today's blog carnival to read about their design process:
Victoria Takahashi/Experimetal

Thomasin Durgin/metalriot
Su Trindle/QuercusSilver
Inbar Bareket
Stacey Hansen
Nina Gibson
Corliss & John Rose/2Roses
Maria Whetman
Beth Cyr

7 comments:

Nubia Gonçalves said...

I totally agree with Einstein!
and that is why you make such beautiful pieces!!!
love your work!

Beth Cyr said...

wow! check out that sketchbook!

Quercus Silver said...

Your sketchbooks are so confident and beautiful.

Fluxplay Jewellery. said...

I never heard that quote before...it's spot-on. Very interesting to see the stunnings seeds of your work.

Thomasin Durgin said...

I like to play with pieces and parts, too! Love that Einstein quote, makes me feel better.

Erin said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jacaranda Designs Jewelry said...

Loved reading about your process and seeing someone else's desk that's as cluttered as mine. Thanks for sharing.