Interviews with Mimidale Designs

I started designing jewelry after I finished my university degree. I first studied to become a goldsmith and that also opened up my passion to design. Although I only professionally became a designer recently, I have been designing for about 10 years part time. I got married and started a family which obviously took up a lot of my time. I have worked for a small jewelry company in Melbourne, Australia, and I have a clientele at the moment which spans internationally.

Initially I jumped into the jewelry industry by learning to become a gold smith in Canada. I moved to firenze, Italy to study more of designing and gold smithing. After about 18 months of staying in Italy, I moved to San Diego, California to attend Gemological Institute of America to gain my degree in Graduate Gemologist. Although I was always in love with jewelry and jewelry designing I was never confident enough to take a big step, until after becoming a wife and a mother of two children. Something triggered me one day and decided to follow my dream, and I started getting back in to designing and launched my business. I have had a vision of my dream for a long time and it finally came true.

My top three priorities in designing are Quality, Precise measurements, and meaningfulness. Firstly I use sketchbooks and color pencils and all my designs are completed on the 3D computer software. Although the computer rendering is the final step in my designing, I do not rely on the images for final products. When designs come out of 3D printing I often change and alter my designing processes. Materials and the finished look depend on my inspiration and intuition. Depending on the projects, sometimes I use wax carving to help with visualizing, so I use both traditional and advanced technology for my jewelry designing.

When I see the 3D printed models coming out I get my first excitement. Meanwhile sometimes I am very nervous especially if I am under pressure for time. When I see final projects that are completely what I have imagined the joy is more hard to hide. The biggest reward is compliments and smiles I get from customers.

I am very good with understanding people. I ever have a degree in Psychology from a university. Through studying at a university I believe I gained many skills such as patience and analyzing people, and that helped me to be a successful designer.

In addition to making progress with my jewelry business, I also want to branch out from my jewelry designing. I want to design clothes, accessories, and shoes that can be collaborated with my jewelry designs.

You do not need to rush, everything happens with the right timing. Keep steering yourself towards your goal.

Slow and steady wins the race, and that is the tip I exactly followed.

Usually when I wake up I turn my computer on. Read some stock market prices because as a jewelry designer precious metal prices affect my work. When I read newsletters from GIA(Gemological institute of America) about new gemstones and such really excites me. Also sometimes I find news headlines about gemstones I definitely pay attention. I design whenever I can until I go to bed, bit by bit if it is hard for me to find the time.

Although I do pay some attention to the latest design trends I tend to keep my style distinctively. I take pride in meaningful jewelry designing and that is often different from the common fashion trend. There are many designs that are not unique and that is not what I believe in.

Good designs need to be appealing to the eye, to offer a quality product with service, and stands up to the reputation of the designer.

I believe there is a way to improve a design. I look at a semi finished design project from 360 degree angles for a long time, and if I can not think any way to improve it then I leave it for a few days. It totally comes from within my intuition and inspiration if the product is ready or not.

My fine collection that I designed in my website is what I am most proud of. I have delivered positive meanings and messages in my designs and combined the elements with overall beauty and uniqueness. My fine collection has given me many opportunities and the reputation that I have been looking for and have a deep meaning to me.

I love Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani's designs. If I could talk with a dead designer it would have to be Da Vinci for obvious reasons.

I feel purified when I step into the city of Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto is full of historical architects and traditional Japanese culture. My designs are a collaboration between East and West, and I need to educate my self to learn about the Japanese art.

I think I can be a difficult person to work with! I am a perfectionist and for me to find a partner he or she needs to be trustworthy and hard working. I feel that I have a huge responsibility to keep my standards high, and I expect to see high performance from anyone I work with. However if I find the right person we become family.

I will absolutely involve myself with humanitarian projects. I also deeply care about the environment we live in. If I can contribute myself for a positive influence by my designing I am there!

The experience I had with A' Design Award is priceless. I have never entered a competition before and I could not be happier that my first experience was with A' Design Award. With the Covid-19 outbreak worldwide I was nervous how everything would turn out. Given in the most difficult time they kept everything very professional and helpful, and the result gave me the confidence and reward which I really needed.

The biggest inspiration of my design came from the divine meanings behind the Japanese folding fans. The shape of the fan opens 180 degrees and the shape is considered to bring endless luck. I believe in designing jewelry that have meanings and that is my principle. Therefore the ring is not only unique but also to bring graceful luck to people who wear it.

My concept of jewelry is East meets West. My inspiration obviously came from the traditional Japanese culture and arts, but I also am deeply focused on integrating the culture into the western style, and that was my main focus on designing this ring.

I would love to start designing in other fashion fields, such as clothing, shoes, and accessories that can open up more opportunities.

The concept has been on my mind for a long time, maybe a few years.

It was totally my inspiration. From this concept I became more certain what my style really is.

I intend to produce my work myself and it is available to order on my website.

My Japanese heritage and the history of the Japanese fan, it's beauty and for all its uses.

The target for this jewelry is people who are interested in unique and meaningful artistic pieces of jewelry. Particularly people who love the Japanese culture and oriental fashion are the target customers.

There are many pieces of Japanese inspired designed jewelry I believe, but it is not that easy to convey the meanings and messages into designing. I believe my designs convey in depth meanings and collaborate the idea with my style of designing.

Ohgi means Japanese folding fans. It is a graceful word in the Japanese language and brings an elegant emotion when I hear it.

Drawing on a sketch book, water color pencils, caliper, gemstones, carving wax, computer software.

My designs represent who I am.

There was no collaboration at all, purely a solo project.

3D computer software and printing play the most important role in this design.

Studying the history of the Japanese Fan.

Time, frustration with weight and measurements.

People who know me well, kept on telling me "you should enter a design competition" . I never really saw my potentials before but I am glad I listened to them, Sometimes people know you better that you do!

What I learned from this designing experience was that there is no right or wrong in designing, and there is not a set process in designing either. What matters the most is to believe in your own intuition, be persistent and keep pushing your limits. Because when you keep challenging yourself your designs get better and better, and you become a better designer.

I have been playing piano since I was three years old, I have always been artistic. I have a Psychology degree from University in Canada, Goldsmith training, Graduate Gemologist degree at GIA.

I appreciate beautiful things and love jewelry. I became a jewelry designer because I could not really find jewelry that appealed to me. I decided to design and make my own at home which was the starting point of my career.

I was directed to take this path, from my mother and my instinct.

I design jewelry. Jewelry for men and unisex jewelry is something that I would like to design more of in the future.

Focus on quality and not quantity.

Good designers design for themselves. Great designers design for others.

Style, quality, technology and appeal are essential for good designs.

Good design is often more expensive but lasts longer.

I would love to design clothe, handbags and shoes.

Having a solo exhibition in Milan, I am starting to see the vision now though!

Secret ingredient in successful designs must be the eye for detail.

Old Japanese legendary artists.

I respect designers that are unique, and continue to stick with their uniqueness.

My greatest design are my kids...! They are the results of my inspiration and life experiences. They give me the greatest joy and challenges, my husband and I are teaching them to be a responsible citizens of society, making sure that they will bring positive influences to our planet.

See different kinds of art, be open minded and be worldly.

I would probably work for a jewelry company using my graduate gemologist degree from GIA.

Design is based on my personal life experiences brought to life from inspirations.

My husband, my Dad, my Mom, and my Kids gave me the physical and mental support that I needed.

Friends and family who supported me and encouraged me to follow my dream.

The biggest obstacle I had was to believe in my self, that it is possible to chase my dream even after becoming a wife and mother of two boys.

There is no right or wrong way to present their work, as long as he or she has a professional attitude with confidence.

Now I am an award winning designer, I would love to design in different fields that can be collaborated with my jewelry in order to produce the total fashion scene.

My ultimate goal as a designer is to establish a reputation that is built on high quality, to be content with my designs and work, and my designs to be loved.

As long as I live I will keep moving forward and challenge myself with new things. Therefore you can expect that I will not be boring!

If I could design and produce meaningful more pieces of art that people can enjoy and appreciate, that is a wonderful feeling.

I have a vision to branch out from my jewelry designs to other fields, and I get very excited about thinking about it.

All projects that I was involved are all really special and I can't pick one!

I think the current trend lacks a certain style overall. People feel comfortable wearing jewelry that has no personality. People choose quantity over quality and invest their money in low quality pieces which in the end costs them more. I would love to see people re-think about investing in quality products.

The new design industry should focus on designs that are quality based, and are helpful to people and the environment.

Few days to few months, until I am completely content with the project.

Rough sketch on my sketch book first.

Quality over quantity.

Absolutely both!

Without getting proper help from technology it is pretty difficult to design in this modern world. However, the traditional concept of arts and beliefs, old craftsman skills and knowledge, can not be ignored to produce excellent design products.

Matrix 9.0 for CAD software.

Colors, ambient, materials are all necessary when I start designing. I then change or/and add more details depending on the designs.

I like explaining to people who ask me, what are the meanings behind my designs.

The first thing that I picture into my mind when I see a great designed product is the designer's face. I imagine who the designer is, where the designer comes from, and what he or she looks like.

Maybe, with the right timing and right person.

People who influenced on my designs are the ones who have told me to stick with my style when I was still studying to become a designer.

Books about Kimono and Kimono colors that I purchased in Japan a long time ago had the most effect on my designs.

By getting older means getting wiser and I think that is how my skills developed.

My ancestors who are not here physically but I know they are here spiritually. I would love to talk to them and find out their personal histories.

I just enjoy every moment and every bit of recognition, because it is a reward for my hard work. I just take it humbly. I know above all else I have a job to do and to quote my husband, "Do the job and get it done!".

Navy blue and yellow gold are my favorite colors. Favorite place is anywhere near the ocean. Summer and spring are my favorite seasons.

All the failures and rejects from my past experiences may be funny in some sense!

As a designer I am always dreaming about something. And having a big dream helps me to motivate myself for sure.

According to my mother I was very artistic when I was little, not sure if she thought I would become a designer but she knew I had some artistic talents.

It is really difficult to picture what will happen in thousand years from now. But all I can hope for is our next generations to have brighter future, filled with excitement and happiness.

I care deeply about the environment, and I am an ocean lover.

I am a self taught designer. Initially I entered into the jewelry industry by training to be a gold smith. I believed I was born to be a designer and that is what my family tells me as well. I feel like there was an invisible force that pulled me to take this path. However, my key person who convinced me to become a jewelry designer is my mother.

My company, MIMIDALE DESIGNS is located in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. My designs are inspired by Japanese art and culture, which are mixed with Western elements. I design mostly on a sketch book and my computer in my studio. I have a jewelry bench and many other tools, Sometimes I sit on my bench and finish jewelry pieces, other times with intricate pieces I pass them to jewelry maestro.

For me, design is based on my personal life experiences brought to life from inspirations.

Anything that excites me! I like working with clients because it allows me to create something that is totally unique.

Any designs that have Japanese influences are my favorite things to design.

A cocktail ring.

Yellow gold and Gemstones are my favorite materials. My design platform is Matrix 9.0.

Just before going to sleep I tend to be most creative for some reason! So I have my sketch book on my bed side table.

When I have a design in mind, I focus on the detail to get everything precise, including the perfect measurements and shape.

Joy, Happiness and pride, sometimes frustration!

Over the moon. Ecstatic! Pure joy!

A successful design can make a social movement and can touch other's hearts, and to me that is a successful design.

Overall appearance, function, and quality.

This is a very important and serious issue that we are facing. We are leaving too many environmental footsteps on this beautiful planet. As a responsible citizen I am focused on designing and creating jewelry that will last for generations. Quality over quantity is my goal, and I aim to create jewelry pieces that do not end up in the landfill.

Mixing elements, mixing cultures, mixing ideas are all important for the future of designs. Also the future of designs need to have multi purpose functions.

I would love to hold my first exhibition in beautiful Italy.

Inspiration comes from everywhere, all I need to do is to be open minded and to have wide perspectives. Do some exercises regularly because that is a key to a healthy mental state. Feeling grateful for what I have and being happy are very important sources of my inspirations.

My style of design is a collaboration between Japanese and Western elements. I realized it is who I am and I am expressing my emotions and knowledge through my jewelry. Designing meaningful jewelry is my goal.

I live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. And yes I do feel that my cultural heritage affects my designs. Pros of living in Canada for my designing, is it is super relaxing to be here so I feel free to express my designs. Since my designs are strongly influenced by the Japanese culture and arts it is frustrating sometimes not to be able to visit and see historical monuments, buildings, and traditional plays in Japan and that must be the cons of living in Canada.

First I need to study the company history and motto's. When I work with companies I need to know that we are a team and need to be on the same page. Communication plays a big role and understanding their needs is a must.

Before working with a designer, a company they must know if the person is worldly, open minded and have a vision.

I first rough sketch it on paper, then transfer the idea on to the computer. Draw it in CAD software and then print it with a 3D printer. If it looks good it goes thorough to production.

CAD software, a sketch book, Gemstones, Japanese art books, and a Caliper.

I wake up, I drink tea, I turn my computer on, I check my email, I do general housewife and mother duties, I design whenever I can, I work in my studio.

Believe in yourself. One does not dream if the goal is unreachable. Set your goal, keep steering towards it.

Being an designer can be lonely. Because we need to improve and produce designs that are forever improving. We are not competing with others but competing with ourselves.

Not to copy others is my golden rule in designs. The moment you copy someone else's work you become a thief, and not a designer.

Multitasking, to be open minded, Seeing possibilities that many people do not see.

My two most important tools to use are my caliper and computer software as most of my designs are done on my computer.

Little by little, but it is important to start projects in advance.

Depends, sometimes few days to few months. I am a perfectionist so it really depends on the project.

"When do you find time to design?" , or "Where did you get your creativity from?"

To make a client/customer happy is the most important and enjoyable experience that I gained over time.

People who like my original style of jewelry and appreciate high quality art pieces. Although my clients vary in their professions they tend to have very open minded views and are established in their fields.

Japanese and Western collaboration is my favorite because it is a big part of me.

I keep moving forward. My next plan is branching out and designing in different areas.

I design by myself.

Not right at this moment.

mimidaledesigns@gmail.com. Cell+1 604 928 6227

mimidaledesigns.com