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Snow White Jewellery Collection by Kay Jiaqi Zhou |
Home > Winners > Design #59506 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
KZ: Porcelain clay as a naturally formed material has over 1,000 years history. Floral theme inspired from nature also represents a timeless chic for ladies fashion. Applying porcelain into fashion jewellery isn't very common. Precisely, exploring the possibilities between these two gives the meaning of the design.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
KZ: The aesthetics look and the handcraft skills were the two points I focused on mainly. I wanted to achieve some fashionable also arty jewellery pieces made from some alternative materials.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
KZ: I wish they could get more exposure. I would like them to be more accessible for people to purchase.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
KZ: More than one year
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
KZ: Flora it has always been one of my favourite elements. I believe a lot of ladies love that too. It wasn’t a commissioned design. I decided to do it because I haven’t seen such a thing before and I felt like to try.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
KZ: My design is being produced myself. I would intent to produce my work myself.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
KZ: I am interested in applying porcelain into jewellery design. I like porcelain. Porcelain is a very magical and miracle material for me. The more I work with it, the more I love it. It’s so wonderful to see the natural mud to be refined into a desired jewellery piece.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
KZ: Yes, before I start designing my pieces. I browsed a lot of the latest accessory trends and fashion trends from different designers. This helped me to generate my own ideas.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
KZ: fashion lovers, contemporary art lovers, brides
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
KZ: The design pieces are handcrafted. They are all unique in shape and no two are exactly the same.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
KZ: ‘Snow white’, is a kind of pure white colour, which is exactly the same as the porcelain body. ‘Snow White’ also comes from the famous fairy tale. I also wish the design could be like a fairy tale has its own romance.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
KZ: Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Wacom Hardware: different kind of potter’s tools, ceramic kiln
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
KZ: handcrafted, defined, creative
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
KZ: I finished the design by myself. I didn’t collaborate with other designers, but I did get in touch with my different suppliers. Without them, I couldn’t fulfil my design.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
KZ: Technology plays an absolutely key role for the design. For example, the new technology ceramic kiln (electric kiln) allows me to access this industry a lot easier than some decades ago. Every piece of porcelain has experienced twice kiln firing (biscuit firing and glaze firing), for more than 15 hours, with temperatures reaching over 1200 degree Celsius. Different software and apps are must-have no matter for design purpose or social purpose.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
KZ: Type of Research included: Women fashion trend; Fashion jewellery and Fine jewellery trend; Luxury fashion marketing; Fashion consumer behaviour; Porcelain making technology research and study; Jewellery component materials. After different type of research and study, the cross border possibilities among fashion, jewellery and porcelain can be seen. Fashion trend research played a main role to direct the product modelling. The study on porcelain making, glazing and firing gave the key technical support for the whole project.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
KZ: Porcelain flower crafting was one of the most challenging and time-consuming parts of the design. This process requires close attention. Any careless handling could cause damage on the petals. Unlike re-welding silver or gold metal, (although clay can be recycled), the broken petals are very unlikely to bond together properly again once they got damaged.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
KZ: I was invited by one of the member. And I felt I could try because this is something I haven’t tried before.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
KZ: Surely I have learned a lot during the design process. Apart from different kind of technical skills I learn, what I learned most was to be patient and careful.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
KZ: I would like to thanks to all my families, friends, fans, and collaboration partners, without you, I would not be me. I appreciate all the supports, kind words and hard works you have done for me. I will carry on to deliver more good designs for you all.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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