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Today's featured designer is Britta Schwalm. Britta Schwalm is the creator of iconic designs such as Eves Weapon. |
We had the rare opportunity to interview the exalted designer Britta Schwalm who was recently announced as the Designer of the Day by the A' Design Award and Competition. Britta Schwalm is the creator of iconic designs such as Eves Weapon. We got exclusive answers to our questions about Britta Schwalm designs and design philosophy. |
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Britta Schwalm, how did you become a designer?
Britta Schwalm : Being a Goldsmith makes me feel like being paid twice: first time with money and second time with the sparkling in the eyes of my customer. Instead of making jewellery and looking for a customer I make exact the jewellery my customer wants to have. This is very satisfying for me (and for my customer as well)... |
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Britta Schwalm, what are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Britta Schwalm : To learn my customers wishes I listen to their stories and ideas. I have a close look at the clothes the wear and the kind of presenting themselves. This way I get a good feeling for the kind of jewellery they‘ll like to have to feel and be well with it. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, what particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Britta Schwalm : To study Design was a perfect rounding off being a Goldsmith. To see and learn design is influenced by time and you can detect these influences in all kind of designed stuff. From architecture to furniture or fashion - there is the same form-language. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, what is your growth path? what are your future plans? what is your dream design project?
Britta Schwalm : At the moment I‘m perfectly happy with my work. I‘m specialised for custom distinctions and love to build many different kind of jewellery. Being present at internet more customers notice that they can tell me what they want to have and I make that for them. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, what are your advice to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Britta Schwalm : You need luck. Don‘t give up trying. But if you are not successful at once, it doesn't mean you‘re not good. Maybe time isn't the right time. ...
Britta Schwalm, what is your day to day look like?
Britta Schwalm : I‘m working hard to get a routine :-) Different customers with different ideas - so many new things to learn and to try out. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, how do you keep up with latest design trends? to what extent do design trends matter?
Britta Schwalm : I know there are important trends. Sustainability is one important to me. But more important to me are the micro-trends my costumers tell me. ...
Britta Schwalm, how do you know if a product or project is well designed? how do you define good design?
Britta Schwalm : Good design makes me feel good. Good design makes the wearer of my jewellery feel good. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, how do you decide if your design is ready?
Britta Schwalm : Hard question. Sometimes I can feel it, sometimes I just ask the person that wants to wear the jewels and with and for which I create the jewels for. Some projects are under constant review. ...
Britta Schwalm, what is your biggest design work?
Britta Schwalm : Evas Wepon, a collier I made with 110 Diamonds in 750 rose gold. You can see at A‘ Design Award. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, who is your favourite designer?
Britta Schwalm : Picasso and Leonardo. Both were genius. ...
Britta Schwalm, would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Britta Schwalm : In Germany people are a little intellectualises. Emotions have to have a reason :-) So bringing emotions, wishes and ideas in shape and form by making individual jewellery is a good way to make this individuals' life a little more colourful. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Britta Schwalm : I try to step back and listen to the visions and ideas my customer has. He or she is no goldsmith, so I have to translate the things I hear and perceive to jewellery. This is my form of creativity. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, what are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Britta Schwalm : Humanitarian projects are highly important. I regularly donate money to various organisations that care about mankind, nature or wildlife....
Britta Schwalm, what positive experiences you had when you attend the a’ design award?
Britta Schwalm : A‘Design Award made me formulate all the thoughts about my designs. This was very helpful. And of course winning a A‘Design Award creates attention. Last, but not least it‘s a chance to proof that you‘re good in your discipline. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Britta Schwalm : BrittasSchmiede is a workshop were you can get your unique and individual jewellery made by hand. High quality, high standards, traditionally handcrafted as well as created with the latest technology (laser, CAD, 3D-designed and 3D-printed).There is one series 'Glueckskind' by BrittasSchmiede:'Glueckskind' is brand new and it is all about jewellery and babies. Please visit:www.dein-glueckskind.deAll the information is available in English as well.... |
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Britta Schwalm, what is "design" for you?
Britta Schwalm : Design changes ‘just’ useful things to beautiful things. Design should sum up all emotions.In 'Eves Weapon' are all emotions, that are represented by an apple (sin, lust, power, health, fertility...), visualised in a collier.... |
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Britta Schwalm, what kinds of works do you like designing most?
Britta Schwalm : Jewellery fitting to the customers wishes - unique pieces for individuals.I found out there is often a good approach to look what kind of jewellery my customers wear. And it's quite often, that I can work with that piece of jewellery as a basis, adding on or changing some things. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, what was the first thing you designed for a company?
Britta Schwalm : Jewellery for F. Stahl Birkenfeld/Germany...
Britta Schwalm, when do you feel the most creative?
Britta Schwalm : Spending quality time with our son. Being silent in nature. Best place is our garden, cat on lap, looking in the pond.... |
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Britta Schwalm, what kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Britta Schwalm : I'm happy seeing my design fit their wearer and I'm satisfied that it has the right place to be. I enjoy the design process the best, and once a customer is happy I enjoy getting on with the next design.... |
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Britta Schwalm, how do you think the "design field" is evolving? what is the future of design?
Britta Schwalm : I think and wish it is evolving in the direction of responsibility - in every kind (for nature, mankind, animals, kids). ...
Britta Schwalm, from your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Britta Schwalm : Positive: If there something in my reach which is ugly, I can change it. Negative: I see a lot of things for which I have ideas how to change them, but of course that’s not always possible. ... |
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Britta Schwalm, how long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Britta Schwalm : Depends on the object. At about 3 weeks I would guess on average. ...
Britta Schwalm, what was your most important job experience?
Britta Schwalm : Designing and building a necklace in 750/000 rose and white gold with 110 diamonds as a nominee for the HRD award. It is called 'Eves Weapon' and brought me here...... |
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Britta Schwalm, who are some of your clients?
Britta Schwalm : From Duke of Hohenzollern to my son’s nursery teacher, one is as important as the other!...
Britta Schwalm, what type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Britta Schwalm : I love to carve a figure out of wax. I love to model in gold. I love to set gemstones. I love to draw jewellery designs. I think I love being a goldsmith. Why? It's creative, diverse and demanding....
Britta Schwalm, thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview you... To learn more about Britta Schwalm and check more designs by Britta Schwalm as well as to see more Britta Schwalm designs such as Eves Weapon visit designeroftheday.com/?144986 |
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We hope you enjoyed our interview of Britta Schwalm. This interview was made possible by the contributions of A' Design Award and Competition - The World's largest and most influential design accolade. A' Design Award is an annual, international design award open to both concept stage and realized works by designers, artists, architects and brands worldwide. A' Design Award and Competition aims to create a public awareness and understanding of good design by promoting the best designers such as Britta Schwalm and their design works worldwide. Visit designaward.com to learn more. |
REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/designer.php?profile=144986 https://competition.adesignaward.com/design.php?ID=41642
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