Jewelry Design is a topic that could take a year to teach,
learn, discuss, debate and even argue. The only
problem is that I could not do it for a year. I don't know enough,
and
I am just not interested in discussing it for
more than an hour or two. I am not an artsy craftsy teacher.
Remember,
my only goal is to teach all my students how
to make a profit from silversmithing. I have no desire to make
them
artists, especially starving artists. I always chuckle
to myself when another silversmith says something like: Can
anyone
tell me how or where to market my jewelry? I
make a very unusual one-of-a-kind large art pieces. Everyone
that sees
them just simply loves them! The only problem is I just cannot
seem to
find a market for them. Should I do consignment?" I always
say, "No,
never do consignment! Start your marketing
plan by making something someone will buy, not simply love!"
So, if you
wish to win art shows, do not worry too
much about this lesson, just follow the rest so that your pieces
will be
technically good enough to win. If you wish to
make money from silversmithing, then pay close attention to
this lesson. I will make jewelry design as simple
as possible for you to make money.
Here is my definition of a Principle of Design (especially a Don's
Principle of Design): a rule of good design that you do not
have to follow.
Here is my definition of an Element of Design: a piece or any
part of a
design.
Example: a leaf.
Don's Principles of Design
These are not necessarily in order of importance, but the first one
is
the most important. Remember a Principle of
Design to me is a rule that you can break anytime you wish, but
try
never to break the first one.
Don's Design Principle 1: If you design a piece of jewelry and
like it,
IT IS A GOOD DESIGN, and if you love it, IT
IS A GREAT DESIGN!!!!!
Explanation: It does not need one. If you like your design, no
else
needs to. It is a good design. If anyone expresses
that they do not like your design, may I suggest this answer:
"Thank
you for your opinion, I value it highly." Leave it
at that. They will feel good, and you can say to yourself in your
mind: The next time I want to make a piece of
crappie jewelry, you will be the first one I ask!, or, "As if you
knew
enough to have an opinion!" Never care about
what someone else says about your jewelry, especially another
silversmith or your wife or husband! Remember, there
are people out there that know that to attack your design is as
good as
sticking a pin in your voodoo doll. They know
it sticks you right in the heart. Do not let them do it to you.
Verbally abuse them if you wish!
Don's Principle of Design 5: Humans want straight lines to be very
straight!
We do not want a straight line to have a little wave in it; we do not
want it to have a small "jag" in it, or to have
anything in it but a straight sharp line. This is true whether the
straight line is just a straight line, or a straight line that
goes around a stone in a square, rectangle, oval or circle. In fact it
better be really straight and smooth around a circle. If you are
going make a geometric design with straight lines, take the time to
make
sure all lines are as perfectly straight as
possible.
