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jewellery designer
Jewellery designers plan the style and pattern of jewellery, silverware and other decorative metalwork products. The designs may be for mass production, or be made individually or in small numbers by the designer or by other craftworkers.
Jewellery designers produce designs which either:
- meet the requirements of a client (known as a 'brief'); or
- have the potential to attract customers.
Self-employed designers often both design and make jewellery. They the sell it through outlets such as shops, galleries and craft fairs.
Jewellery making involves a variety of crafts, including:
- mounting
- setting
- polishing.
Please see the Jeweller (Manufacturing) profile for information on this area of the work.
Hours and Environment
Jewellery designers in industry usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Freelance designers decide their own hours depending on the amount of work they have.
Designers work in studios or workshops, which may be shared with other designers. Freelance designers also spend time at exhibitions or visiting shops and galleries to market their work.
Skills and Interests
To be a jewellery designer you should:
- be creative, with an appreciation of colour, shape and texture
- understanding of metals, gemstones and other materials
- have dexterity, good hand eye co-ordination and the ability to work with tools and materials
- be able to work accurately and pay attention to detail
- have the confidence and temperament to succeed in the commercial world
- have numerical skills for measuring, calculating costs of materials and pricing items
- marketing skills and commercial awareness for self-employment
- be able to negotiate with buyers and suppliers.
Entry
Most jewellery designers have a degree. These are available in various relevant subjects, such as:
- Jewellery
- Jewellery Design
- Designed Metalwork and Jewellery
- Jewellery and Metal Design
- Design (Silversmithing and Jewellery)
- Silversmithing
- Goldsmithing and Jewellery Design
- 3D Design: Metals.
To be accepted on a degree course you are likely to need one of the following:
- two subjects at A level
- a recognised Art and Design Foundation Course
- another Level 3 qualification, such as an AVCE in Art and Design or a BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject area.
When you apply for a degree you will be assessed by interview, and examination of your portfolio. If you are a mature entrants you may be accepted without the usual academic entry requirements if you can show that you have exceptional creative ability. You should check with colleges and universities for their specific entry requirements.
To search for colleges and universities offering art and design foundation courses and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
You can develop relevant practical skills on a variety of courses offered by local colleges. You can get details of colleges and independent organisations offering jewellery-related courses from the Jewellery and Allied Trades Training Council (JAITC). Please see the Further Information section of this profile for contact details.
If you are self employed you will need to find premises. The Crafts Council or the crafts officer of your local regional arts boards may be able to advise you on studio availability and possible sources of funding. Please see the Further Information section for contact details.
Training
As a designer you will need to develop your skills on an on-going basis, and to keep up to date with new trends and methods. If you are employed by a company they may provide in-house training.
You can also do part-time courses in specialist areas of the work at many colleges. You can get details of these from the JAITC.
You could also do a postgraduate course, such as MA in Silversmithing, Jewellery and Allied Crafts.
The Goldsmiths' Company runs a graduate business programme for new graduates, offers awards to reward design excellence, and has a programme of masterclasses and seminars. It also supports apprenticeships for suitable candidates in London and the South East. You can find details of all of these on the Goldsmiths' Company website. Please see the Further Information section.
The Sector Skills Council, SEMTA (Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance) has prepared new National Occupational Standards for jewellery and silversmithing. As a result of this, NVQs are under review by JAITC, so NVQs and apprenticeships in the industry are not available at present. When the new qualifications are in place information will be available on the JAITC website.
Opportunities
Some jewellery designers are employed in industry, designing for the mass market. Most factories and workshops manufacturing jewellery, silver and flat plate are small. Most of them are in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and Edinburgh. London is the main centre for precious jewellery; Birmingham is known for both precious jewellery and fashion jewellery production.
Opportunities may also be available in small businesses, workshops or co-operatives.
Many become self-employed as freelance designers, selling their designs to manufacturers, or making up the designs and selling them. Success depends on the ability to find enough markets for the work.
There is an index of galleries and retailers dealing with gold and silver on the Goldsmiths' Company Directory. These may be useful when looking for markets for your work. See the Further Information section.
Annual Income
This section is intended as a guide only.
Jewellery designers may earn from £14,000 to £25,000 or more.
Earnings for freelance designer/craftworkers vary depending on how successful they are in selling their work.
Further information
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167
10 Vyse Street
Birmingham
B18 6LT
Foster Lane
London
EC2V 6BN
Tel: 020 7606 7010
London
WC2E 7DL
Tel: 020 7420 5200
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
London
N1 9BY
Tel: 020 7278 7700
London
SW1P 3NQ
Tel: 0845 300 6200
Back To Arts Crafts and Design Careers
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Site Disclaimer
The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice