Pollen Ring by Christine Alexandre

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

CA : My design is inspired by nature. I'm really fascinated by plant life wich is a true bursting of shapes and textures. Nature is everywhere around us and we sometimes forgot how it's a real part of our lives. It's in this plentiful universe I took my inspiration. Shapes, textures, structures of plant life are rich and fabulous, giving an infinity of possibilities.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

CA : The aim is to create new shapes the nature would design them with its sensitivity and sensuality to provide a jewel which is unique as well as deeply connected to nature.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

CA : To increase awareness.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

CA : For this one it takes about 5 months.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

CA : Because I'm feeling close to nature. The design was not commissioned.

DI: 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?

CA : It's already produced under my own brand, Chris Alexxa.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

CA : As told previously, I'm really fascinated by nature. I just wanted to design something which evokes for me a fragment of it.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

CA : Not really. Even if we can probably find other designers with same fascination as mine for nature each one has it's own interpretation of it.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

CA : Any women who likes originality and sensitive to organic beauty.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

CA : The treatment of textures to bring out organic feeling.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

CA : The name comes from the part of the plant which inspired me.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

CA : I do not use computer because it's not for me the right way to express my mind. This is nearly a fully handmade process. I use handicraft tools to realize waxes prototype. Castings are done. The wax lost casting is the only "mass" production process as all the finishings are also hand made.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

CA : The personal touch with particular treatment of textures and shapes to bring out organic feeling.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

CA : Technology didn't take a important part in this design except silver casting.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

CA : No data or analytical research. Just focused attention on details all around me in the nature.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

CA : To emphasize the essence of plant life to design a smooth and sensual jewel both discreet and visible to get a timeless piece of Nature.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

CA : I've been contacted to do so.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

CA : So many things... I'm not a jeweller and I had to learn a lot to achieve this work.