Nanz,
A respected teacher posed a question to me: How does a goldsmith
/artisan differentiate between design and creation? Clearly, many
people think that making jewelry and designing jewelry are the same
thing, but are they? What are the qualities that differentiate the
two?
I’ve held off responding to this question because, the answer is
vague. Tonight I began reading some of our esteemed Orchadians
responses but I was still not satisfied. I believe Lee was close in
capturing the difference (or similiarities) but still, I was not
sure.
This question is always the first one with which I confront my
students. But, I call it ‘design and engineering’. Why? Because
design is the conjuring of an idea, concept, etc. But, no matter how
simple the design, it cannot be created without first being
engineered. Once all the problems are resolved, a skilled smith,
sculpturer, etc should be able to create the dimensional object.
Now,…that is not to say a designer is not an artist. In most
cases, they are the true artist. They conjur the idea and render it
in a manner that makes it visible and understandable. But only the
metal or stone (or whatever) artisan can convert it into something
that can be touched, felt, worn, etc.
Recently, I was contacted and asked to create an idea. Over a period
of nearly a year, the ‘designer’ (he was not an formal artist, simply
a person with an idea) plied me with his ideas about what should have
been a rather simple and straight forward item. I never had much
enthusiam about the project but when he said make it, I did. When it
was finished to his specifications, I knew it would not work. It
looked great…exactly what he wanted, but the center of balance was
all off. When he asked me how I could correct it…he didn’t like any
of my ideas until, finally, I told him that was it…it would just not
work the way he wanted it. Now I will modify it my way. You see, the
conjuror does not have all the answers so there IS a difference
between the concept (design) and the reality (a dimensional object
subject to all the physics of nature) and it lies in the
engineering.
I try hard to instill in students the idea that, as a maker, they
CAN also be a designer but not necessarily vise a versa. So, as they
conjur that pet idea, they must also consider the ramifications of
making it…all the steps from A to Z as well as all the esthetics
that are taught as necessary to good design; balance, durability,
blend, etc.
I do not believe there are specific qualities that separate the two
as. each has its own level of quality and fulfillment. For example,
once a designer renders their idea, unless they are also trained or
knowledgeable as a maker, they are finished. The creater is rarely
finished…there are always new and better techniques, improved
tools, expertise to be gained and, never is a piece perfect in the
eye of the maker.
I liken this question to the old Chinese delimna of, “How can a
white horse be white and a horse at the same time?” There is no final
answer,…only shades of difference and that is in the eye of the
beholder after all.
Sorry for rambling but…well, I guess you asked the question
didn’t you?
Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
elegance IS fine jewelry! @coralnut2