1. Jewellery Design
from
Concept to
Completion
September 14, 2010

2. Developing a Concept
Collages and Sketches
 Start by deciding on a theme.
 Research the topic.
 Collect images from
magazines, art history, personal
photos, photocopies, and
whatever interests you.

3. Developing a Concept
Collages and Sketches
Make some sketches of your initial ideas.

4. Developing a Concept
Collage the imagery that interests you the most with your
drawings into an artwork that will function as your
conceptual guide.
Add paint and
a variety of
media to
continue exploring
new ideas and
unify the images.

5. From Concept to Design
The structural elements
of a real leaf – the veins
and stem – are retained
in the metal
interpretation
An image from the
collage is used as
a visual reference
The detailed
drawings aim to
capture form,
texture, and
movement

6. From Concept to Design
Additional drawings
inspired by the same
organic forms will help
new jewellery designs
evolve in other directions

7. e Evolution of an Idea Designs for a pin
To start, some
atmospheric pictures
of spiders are taken
as research
A sculpture called
“The Nest” by Louise
Bourgeois (1994)
provides the initial
inspiration

8. e Evolution of an Idea Designs for a pin
Some models
are made in
different
Photographs and
materials to
drawings are translated
experiment with
into prints as part of the
the forms
familiarization process
between designer and
subject

9. e Evolution of an Idea Designs for a pin
Sketches explore different
shapes for the pin
The spider form is
the focal point of the
design. Although
the design retains
the beauty of the
spider, it is an
abstract rather than
literal interpretation.
The final
sketch in the
series shows
the finished
design in
more detail

10. e Evolution of an Idea A brooch
Barbara Hepworth’s
“Figure for a
Landscape” (1960)
and a butterfly’s wing
provide the starting
point for some
concept sketches

11. e Evolution of an Idea A brooch
The final
design for
a brooch

12. e Evolution of an Idea A collection of rings
Emp. Shan Jahan. Taj Mahal, 1650
Karl Blossfeldt.
Rough Horsetail,
c1928
Pieter Bruegel. Tower of Babel, 1563
Inspiration from a variety of sources influence some rough sketches.
Angkor Wat, 1050-1165 Cambodia

13. e Evolution of an Idea A collection of rings
The final products
reveal highly creative
adaptations
of the source
material

14. e Evolution of an Idea
A Nigerian
door panel
provides The polished, raised
inspiration areas emphasize and
for a protect the texture
multitude of
patterns
Door Panel,
c.1873-1938
Nigeria

15. Jewellery Design
from
Concept to
Completion

16. Getting Started
Step #1: create a collage
 Start by deciding on a theme.
 Research the topic.
 Collect images from
magazines, art history, personal
photos, photocopies, and
whatever interests you.

17. Exploring your Concept
Step #2: create some sketches
Make some sketches of your initial ideas.

18. Working out the Ideas
Step #3: combine new elements to create an artwork
Collage the imagery
that interests you
the most with your
drawings into an
artwork that will
function as your
conceptual guide.
Add paint and
a variety of
media to
continue exploring
new ideas and
unify the images.