Ocean Pearl Necklace

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As a concept designer and toy modeler working in the games industry, I always start my creative thinking process by putting down words and ideas on paper before picking up the pencil. My initial idea was to base the design on the theme of water, choosing words like "pearl", "ocean waves," "movement," and "water drops." This concept resonated with me because water is a symbol of purity and is the source of life. Pearls are simple in shape and whitish/silverish, making them considered the gemstone of kings, pharaohs, emperors, and gods. Waves represent freedom of spirit and motion/movement. I believe every woman wants to portray these qualities, so why not express it with this jewelry? I envision a design that embodies purity, freedom, and elegance. Designing for jewelry was a new challenge for me, but I enjoyed exploring different shapes and motives. I started by creating rough sketches and thumbnails, which helped me visualize the design from various angles. As a 3D artist, I believe a design is not complete until it's realized in 3D. I created three-dimensional mockup models based on my favorite sketches. These models allowed me to spot potential problems and evaluate whether they would be difficult to produce or print. After narrowing down my options, I focused on one design that was both effective and easy to manufacture. To further refine the design, I created multiple variants by overpainting screenshots of the 3D mockup model. This process helped me experiment with different shapes and motives until I was satisfied with the final result. Next, I created a refined 3D model following the updated design and made it 3D printable. To evaluate the design in a more tangible way, I decided to create physical prototypes. I contacted a local 3D printing service and received test models a few days later. I tested different sizes, versions with cutouts or without, and various depths to ensure that my design was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Once satisfied with the prototype, I created a silicone mold using the 3D print. From there, I cast it from wax and post-processed it before gifting it to a friend who was able to cast it in silver. The highlight of this experience was the photo shoot where my beautiful model Aneta wore the design around her neck! It was an incredible feeling seeing my creation come to life. Looking back on this process, I'm thrilled with how everything turned out. This was my first foray into jewelry design, but I enjoyed every step from concept to rapid prototyping to molding and presentation. I appreciate your time and thank you for reading my presentation.