Graduate Collection
The Ukiyo collection was due for release in June 2020, however due to the university closure the project could not be completed. Stevie hopes to one day bring her design proposals to life. In the meantime, Stevie is using her research and inspiration from her graduate project to develop a jewellery collection from her small, home studio.
Below you can see the process unfold; from research and inspiration, through to design and development and finally the completed renders and the full story behind the concept.
Ukiyo Graduate Collection Proposals
‘Ukiyo’ is inspired by the mindful practice in every day Japanese life by looking at the juxtaposition of social interaction and the rumination of personal space found within the Japanese tea ceremony and the sharing of sake among friends. Stevie aspires to create a colourful and tactile space for your mind to get lost in; a little world, a moment of mindfulness.
The Japanese word Ukiyo literally translates to ‘the floating world’ and means ‘detached from the bothers of life’. Stevie aims to create an escape from everyday life and sensory experience for the user by creating captivating patterns and colour through the use of Jesmonite and traditional textural surfaces in silver with an interactive, palpable collection.
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Visual Inspiration
Much of my research & inspiration came from reading, studying and obtaining knowledge on Japanese culture as well as my own, personal travel experiences. However, I combined this knowledge with visual research from my travels in Japan.
Shapes, form, texture, colour and atmosphere; I found I was drawn to repetitive forms, immersive environments and the transition of colour. Being in such a serene and mindful space such as the shrine grounds or experiencing the tea ceremony evoked stillness and peace within me. Yet, being immersed in modern art and sculpture or the lantern lit alley-ways evoked energy and excitement. I wanted to capture these juxtaposed emotions and that sense of place within this collection. Furthermore, through investigating Japanese culture, I was greatly inspired to bring Japanese dining culture and mindfulness to the British home. This slideshow depicts some of the beautiful places and objects I encountered.
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Drawings
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Design Development/Making Process
The materials used in this collection are Sterling silver, Britannia silver and Jesmonite. Here is a series of design development, problem solving, sampling and work in progress shots.
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Collection Proposal
A sense of place captured in playful, tactile silver. Faceted textures and flowing rims, catching light within their form. Escaping the world to a transient atmosphere through marbled patterns with mindful moments enfolded in captivating colour.
The concept and inspiration behind my design proposals came from my travels to Japan and looking at Japanese culture and the mindfulness that takes place in every aspect of their lives; from performing a tea ceremony, to entering a shrine to even taking a bath.... I compared Japanese culture to British and found I wanted to take Japanese dining elements and bring a mindful and interactive space into the British home. I was aiming to create a sensory experience through tactility, vision and emotion, in the hope I would create a mindful space for the user/viewer, taking them away from their daily worries and distractions, bringing them into the moment and connecting with themselves, the objects and with others.
The collection is called 'Ukiyo' as this refers to being 'detached from the bothers of life' and that is exactly what I'd aimed to do with this series of vessels.
Cups & Condiments
Creating an escapist atmosphere with jesmonite pillars of marbled purple and blue hues. The curious patterns and ethereal colours take the viewer/user to a mindful space for a moments serenity from daily life. These faceted silver cups and dishes rest on or into their playful pillars, creating an interesting conversation and interaction amongst friends.
Round bottomed drinking vessels, recessed and inverted dip dishes. Hand raised, Britannia silver with a planished, textural surface. A contrast of matte and highly polished exteriors and interiors, with burnished, imperfect rims.
Tea Bowl ~ 茶碗
Accompanied by a small, matching Wagashi plate and skewer with coloured, jesmonite handle.
Experiencing the Tea Ceremony is like being part of the performance; you watch a series of beautifully executed movements unfold before enjoying this drink, all the while being mindful of your own movements and the connection with others.
Double skinned Sterling Silver Matcha tea bowl. This large, 13cm wide tea bowl with brush finish interior, a modest matte exterior and burnished rim for contrast high shine, features an inner 'tea pool' to collect residue tea particles. With its wide form, a whisk can enter easily to mix the tea powder whilst making the bowl comfortable to hold in both hands for easier preparation and creating a cosy, mindful moment when enjoying the Matcha.
Sake Towers ~ é…’
In Japan, sake is the drink of the Gods, often offered up at shrines in prayer. It's important never to pour your own drink, but to pour for others instead. The idea of connection between people; thinking of others and being mindful, in the moment and a sense of togetherness inspired this set.
Sterling silver Sake cups and Tokkuri set. The vessels are attached to Jesmonite bodies and stand tall at 12cm and 15cm. The textural finish on the vessels and the intriguing gripped feel of the marbled, jesmonite bases in the hands,creates an interesting, tactile surface, evoking an enjoyable visual aesthetic and tangible experience.