Are you an aspiring jewellery designer? Part Two

At Seventy Seven Diamonds we love to encourage talent and support up and coming designers in their struggle to become more skilled, successful and recognised.  This is the second part of the blog series in which we identify some of the key challenges faced by jewellery designers and offer advice and information on current opportunities which they, as aspiring artistes, can use to their advantage for both creating and selling their pieces.

What can you expect?

In part one we outlined the job requirements for designers in general terms.  If you’re fairly new to the game, here’s some more information about what you can expect to be involved in the job...

Jewellery designers plan the style and pattern of jewellery, silverware and other decorative metalwork products.  As a jewellery designer, you could produce designs for mass production, or to be made individually or in small numbers by yourself or other craft-workers. For example, you could be commissioned to:

• Produce designs to meet the requirements of a client (known as a 'brief' or commission) or for general sale. This can include the work of large-scale designer line sales.
• Produce designs which are then made by other staff (if you work for a company).

Alternatively you could:

• Become a self-employed designer, designing and making jewellery to sell at your own discretion to larger companies or exhibitions, or on a smaller scale.
• Use a variety of crafts to make jewellery, including mounting, setting and polishing.  This is something which works better on a smaller scale, or for those with a side-interest in jewellery design.

As a self-employed designer-maker you would also need to sell your work, either directly from your studio or at craft fairs, or through shops or gallery exhibitions.

What will employers look for?

There are no set requirements for becoming a jewellery designer.  In this creative industry, your skills and experience can be more important than qualifications.  Sometimes your work is strong enough or circulated so well that you could be head-hunted especially by a potential employer. However, most jewellery designers have a foundation degree, BTEC HND or degree. You could complete these qualifications in various relevant subject areas, for example:

• Jewellery or jewellery design
• Designed metalwork and jewellery
• Jewellery and metal design
• 3D design: metals.

It is a good idea to use the UCAS website to search for HND and degree courses as you need to check with colleges and universities for their own specific entry requirements.

You need talent of course, but you will also need to build up contacts - the key to getting work.  The design field is extremely competitive and some vacancies are not advertised, so it is useful to network and make contacts within the industry, for example by attending trade fairs and exhibitions. The Goldsmiths' Company Directory website has an index of jewellery designers and makers, galleries and retailers.  There are also a number of networking sites on the web which you could join.

It is also vital that you put together a portfolio of work that you can show to potential employers and of course providers.

If you can show that you have the right creative ideas and design skills, you may be able to develop a career in jewellery design without a qualification. Try visiting the website of the Jewellery and Allied Trades Training Council for details of independent organisations and colleges offering courses which will help you develop relevant practical skills. You could also check with local colleges for literature on courses.

Further training and development

It’s possible to develop your skills and keep up to date with new techniques by doing part-time courses in specialist areas of the work.  Take a look at the Jewellery and Allied Trades Training Council website for details.

Some employers, if larger companies, may provide in-house training which can encourage your knowledge and skills.

There are also many postgraduate courses on offer.  For example, an MA in Silversmithing, Jewellery and Crafts could extend your expertise substantially.

The Goldsmiths' Company runs a business programme for new graduates, offers awards for design excellence, and has a programme of master classes and seminars. They offer support of apprenticeships for suitable candidates in London and elsewhere.

Other organisations run courses, workshops and design award schemes for members which can aid professional development. For example, Design & Art Direction runs ‘Workout’ - a range of day development courses. Visit the D&AD website for details.

Attending exhibitions and trade fairs is the best way of making contacts, keeping en vogue with new trends, and capitalising on any skills development opportunities.

More information?

Here are some places which will help you on your next step towards becoming a successful jewellery designer...whether you are just beginning, or are looking for ways to extend your reach and test your skills.

Design Council: General information on all aspects of design on website
http://www.designcouncil.org.uk

Career Advice
http://www.hotcourses.com

D&AD: Information on training and membership
9 Graphite Square
Vauxhall Walk
London
SE11 5EE
Tel: 020 7840 1111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              020 7840 1111      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
http://www.dandad.org

Goldsmiths Company: Information on training, competitions, awards and bursaries on website
Goldsmiths Hall
Foster Lane
London
EC2V 6BN
Tel: 020 7606 7010
http://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk

Goldsmiths Company Directory: Index of galleries and retailers
http://www.whoswhoingoldandsilver.com

Creative and Cultural Skills: Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries
Lafone House
The Leathermarket
Weston Street
London
SE1 3HN
http://www.creative-choices.co.uk

Jewellery and Allied Industries Training Council (JAITC): Information on careers and training
British Jewellers’ Association
10 Vyse Street
Birmingham
B18 6LT
http://www.jaitc.org.uk

Arts Council England: Links to regional arts boards for information on possible funding
Tel: 0845 300 6200
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk

Crafts Council
44a Pentonville Road
London
N1 9BY
Tel: 020 7278 7700
http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk

SeventySeven Diamonds wishes you the best of luck in your career – keep creating!