Interviews with Yilan Liu

The collection was inspired by ancient Gothic architecture. This traditional style is fading with time, but it can be reborn in a new way with jewelry. Combining with fashion and advanced technology, the project aims to create jewelry pieces which can make the old into a new style, discussing the potential of the traditional in the contemporary context. With the interest in the way how light influences audience, my design also tries to provoke unique individual experience through playful interaction, exploring the relationship between design and wearers.

I focused on the way how jewelry influences the wearers and explored the relationship between them. I studied the influence of colorful light and applied it into my jewelry pieces. So the final pieces are interactive with the light pouring onto the skin.

I want to continue the design. Design is endless. I would like to try different methods to explore different possibilities of the award winning design.

It took me more than one year. The design process took the most of the time, such as research, sketch, model making and etc.

I want to sell my work because I hope more people design can

It's my obsession of light, as well as my experience of visiting Gothic architecture. I was shocked by how the light pouring from stained glass windows influences the audience. I decided to explore the effect of light and space using jewelry as the vehicle.

My MA tutor Simon helped me a lot. His advise of exploring synthetic gemstones made my final pieces achieve both concept and high quality.

Independent women who pursue personal identity with spare money. They believe jewelry is not only a decoration, but also what they choose to express themselves, about their insight.

I graduated from College of Design and Innovation of Tongji University with a bachelor degree. After that I studied MA Design for two years at Central Saint Martins, and graduated as " Distinction Graduate".

I chose to become a designer mainly because I'm into the field of art and design. Design is not only a job for me, but an enjoyable process to find the connection with the world.

I'm a jewelry designer, I design jewelry pieces for the most of my time. But I also do graphic design for other companies and have some experience designing other products as well.

Actually, I think I still have a long way to go to reach the best. But I can give some advise based on my own experience. I think to become a professional designer should keep curious to the world all the time. Every success needs endeavor and laziness will keep a talent away from success.

A good designer designs things that people like, while a great designer's work can influence people's mind.

A good design will be proved during the test of time, just like good books or good paintings. In my opinion, I usually pay attention to what the design brings to the audience, such as emotional satisfaction or function innovation.

I'm dreaming of combining jewelry design with VR technology which can change the traditional mode of showing or selling jewelry.

Art was only my interest until I realized it would be my life career in high school. After one-year studying in university, I found jewelry design was so charming that I couldn't find other replacements. What is more important, jewelry is a perfect combination of art and design. It is logical, technical, but it is more emotional and expressive.

My studio was founded in 2019 after I graduated from Central Saint Martins with Master Degree. It combines jewelry design and jewelry production. And my jewelry brand, Yilan Jewelry, capturing the poetry of life from the perspective of art. I believe that contemporary Jewelry is an expression of personality. It is beautiful, but it is more about attitudes, the stories behind and life itself. To create delicate, unique and warm demi-fine jewelry is the consistent brand belief.

Design needs to be useful as it is the meaning of design. However, in my perspective, function is only a part of design. Design needs to be meaningful as well as emotional. A good design should always be interesting and charming, improving life quality.

I prefer to design earrings. I am very into earrings as they are freer of form. I can express my ideas with my heart relatively.

A design lacks of its soul without research and sketch. We can always have a good idea, but it is not enough. To me, realizing ideas is more difficult and important than just come up with ideas.

Excited and passionate. Designing is not only my career, but also my interest.

Satisfied and proud. Every project is like my own baby and I'd love to try my best to make it perfect.

Firstly and most importantly, it's the design idea. A good idea is the key to success. Secondly, it's the design process. Research, sketch, prototype and etc. are all necessary to realize and optimize the design. Efficient communication with the manufacture is also vital to ensure every detail.

A designer should make the world better not only with ideas to remind people but also pay attention to the process of manufacture. As a jewelry designer, I think about the impact on environment during production. I choose the factory that fits the sustainability idea which can minimize the pollution during manufacture.

You can contact me through my website www.yilanjewelry.com. Or by the official instagram Yilan Jewellery.