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Bridge of Love Ring, Brooch & Pendant by JungHee Kim |
Home > Winners > Design #48256 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
JK: A love story of two star-crossed lovers inspired this project. To the ancient Koreans, the Milky Way was known as a river to separate a beloved couple. Once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh month, the couple was able to reunite if a flock of magpies and crows would create a bridge over the river. I made ‘Bridge of Love’ in the hope that we can cherish our relationship.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
JK: ‘Bridge of Love' was created in the hope of breaking the stereotype that artistic jewelry is non-wearable or uncomfortable. Instead I intended to create a jewelry with values of scarcity and practicality as well as artistry. On top of that, I also hope people who wear this jewelry truly appreciate the story in it so that it would not be affected by the change of trend in the passage of time. Like constantly repeated life of human being, I hope my ring & brooch can be loved beyond ages and I hope my jewelry can transcend time and space forever.I tried to look for a potential and prospects of modern jewelry.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
JK: I am continuously working and will work to develop it as a series of collection.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
JK: From september 2015 to present Private atelier in Seoul.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
JK: ‘Tree of Life’ is to pursuit my inspiration. Since 2003, I have designed with the concept of tree and concentrated on bringing life to my artworks. The texture of tree represents my inspiration.I tried to reinterpret jewelry as a part of metal craft with function and practical value added.
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?
JK: I have the exclusive rights to produce and sell “Bridge of Love”
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
JK: ‘Bridge of Love’ is a set of ring and brooch. Brooch has an additional ring so that it can be worn as a pendant as well. This enables a wearer to meet various T.P.O. Modern representation of an ancient theme, the Milky Way, in reflective and abstract manner will attract people of all ages.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
JK: I don’t think so. Since college, I have been interested in the nature. I strongly believe that all designs come from the nature and thus designers are inspired by the nature.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
JK: Females in 30’s who look for uniqueness.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
JK: ‘Bridge of Love'is a harmonious combination of different color pearls and adopted prong setting to mount mellee gemstones and only used curved waves.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
JK: To the ancient Koreans, the Milky Way was known as a river to separate a beloved couple. Once a year, on the seventh night of the seventh month, the couple was able to reunite if a flock of magpies and crows would create a bridge over the river. I named ‘Bridge of Love’ in the hope that we can cherish our relationship.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
JK: ‘Bridge of Love‘is a hand crafted jeweled ring. I adopted wax carving method to formulate free curved lines. I used soft wax instead of general hard wax.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
JK: The Milky Way, a pale strip of light consisting of many stars, stretches across the sky at night like a river. The profile view of this celestial river looks flat like a flying disk. ‘Bridge of Love’ shows both visible representation of the Milky Way and link between two lovers. Also, modern representation of an ancient theme, the Milky Way, in reflective and abstract manner will attract people of all ages.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
JK: This ring &brooch set adopted soft-wax casting method. I hand-crafted soft wax to make a model of this ring. Casting and setting gems were done by skilled experts.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
JK: A wax carving method is optimal to express my free curves. Especially, soft wax that I used enabled me to craft curved lines easily.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
JK: Through this project, I would like to examine how jewelry can gratify the psychological needs of people who acknowledge the artistic value of jewelry that are unique and rare in design. I would like to argue that jewelry is a part of culture and arts with its diverse functions and presentation methods beyond its typical representation as ornaments. I hope, as a jewelry designer, this research can discuss the current market trend that jewelry is no longer mere expensive consumer goods. Rather I hope jewelry can be poised as a complete Metal Craft Art with the full support of the identity and convergence of design.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
JK: I use soft-wax which is very delicate to handle and handcraft a model from melted wax. I do not carve hard-wax. Finding the proper working temperature was challenging as well. At the low temperature, wax gets chipped off or broken. On the other hand at the high temperature, wax gets melted. I paid attention in particular to maintain optimal room and spatula temperature.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
JK: I believe that design is a universal visual language. My designs have already earned recognition in Korea and I have loyal customers. I wanted to test if my designs can be recognized in the international arena as well by taking part in A’ Design Award & Competition.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
JK: I have designed jewelry whose motif is nature. In the past, I focused on visual representations but now I more focus on abstract expressions and the story behind them.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
JK: ‘Bridge of Love‘is inspired by the nature. I hope the wearers can also understand the concept and message underlying this design not just the design itself.
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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