I started designing and making jewellery at the age of 15, whilst I was still at school. I always had a love of antique jewellery (and a large collection) and wanted to develop my own jewellery pieces which incorporated design features from the past that I could adapt in my own special way. Whilst studying my Bachelor of Fine Art and Masters I explored these ideas further.
I think I have always wanted to become a designer. Naturally I tend to view objects and think of strategies on how I can improve their function or form.
I started my company, ‘Gallery Fifty Four’, early in 2010. It began as a Contemporary Jewellery Gallery located in Tasmania, Australia. The gallery featured designs predominantly by myself and 5 other artist jewellers. In 2011, I chose to have the gallery only represent my design label ‘Katherine Alexandra Brunacci’ "KAB". All pieces under my label are manufactured and designed by myself. I have two collection launches a year, with each piece in the collection being of limited edition.
'The Lantern' necklace to date is my most favourite design. It is a design that I created and has so much potential. I also like that the future owner of the piece has a personal connection with the object and collaborates with me the designer and maker
Function and aesthetics, I don't think with jewellery you can have one without the other. A piece can be very aesthetically pleasing but as jewellery, is meant to be worn, it has to be durable and feel extremely comfortable to the wearer.
Function first, a design should at least function in the manner that it is claimed. I then look at the object aesthetically, as I think this contributes to and enhances a design. I also think it is important to see how well a design works for its intended purpose.
Design is evolving for our physical environment. The future for design as I see it, is that only the very best designs will survive, as we approach limitations on natural resources in the future. Also the future for design is very exciting with so many developments in materials and production techniques.
I have just launched my last exhibition, which showcases my latest jewellery range. The exhibition took place at Gallery Fifty Four in April 2017, Launceston, Tasmania. I plan to have another one in October of this year at the same location.
My inspiration comes mainly from historical references. I feed my creativity through reading books, listening to music, visiting museums and I have a collection of antique jewellery, which I examine for their manufacturing attributes. My main sources of inspiration are: medieval jewellery and decorative objects.
I think my design style is still evolving. I'm continually exploring and researching new ideas with each collection launch. Characteristics of my designs are the incorporation of colour, and blending traditional shapes with modern shapes. I do like to embellish pieces especially with motifs that I have sourced from my travels or gem stones or a combination of both.
I have just moved to London from Australia. In Australia I did’t think the cultural heritage of Australia had any affect on my design. I think the major con for designing in Australia is where we are geographically located, being a great distance away from design capitals located in Europe. I am very much looking forward to exploring London and surround European countries
I think that a company has to choose a designer based on the merit of their design, but also choose a designer who is totally passionate about their product and can compromise and adapt the product to suit the companies needs.
I begin by research, reading through my books going to galleries and doing a lot of walking to clear my head. I then put pen to paper and start sketching and working with images that I have found through my research, modifying, chopping and changing them. When I have a basic design idea sketched out I will make a prototype. It is at this stage that I finalize materials and find any inherit problems with the design. Once I have created the piece I will then begin to modify it again to see any potential for a series to be created.
Most of my days are spent at my gallery / boutique. I am either in the workshop working on the next collection / designing, whilst my mother is front of house manager in the boutique. If I'm not manufacturing, I'll be working on design and PR strategies for the company. After work I like to spend time with family and friends. I don't really have much down time. I'm constantly designing pieces in my head and looking for inspiration everywhere. I do enjoy walking and try to walk either in the mornings or in the evenings.
Always keep designing. Enter as many design competitions as possible. It’s a good way to meet people, get your name out to a wider audience and judge public reactions to your work. Don't be afraid of rejection, ‘Success is how well one deals with failure’. Don't be deterred if not everyone loves your design, criticism is good. It is important however to learn how to sieve through constructive and non-constructive criticism.
Books, books and more books and imagery that I have sourced from everywhere.
Whilst designing, the trusty pen and sketchbook are my main tools. I have also started working with Adobe ideas, which allows me to modify images that I have sourced for inspiration and work with them for my design.
When I am designing for a collection I try and allocate some time every day towards it. However I find that I do design very sporadically and if I’m being productive I will focus all of my energy on designing.
This varies, from initial idea to the finished piece, can take from as little as a week up to a couple of months. There are still designs from years ago that I'm still working on.
I love working with historical pieces of jewellery and adapting aspects of them. I love the feeling that I am working with a piece of history and adding my own special touch.