Interviews with Sun Hyang Ha

I am freelancing for a high-end fine jewelry company in New York City.

It is to visualize what people want to see.

I like designing classic jewelry with a contemporary twist.

I have designed a pin with a star ruby and diamonds. I emphasized the star ruby in a hexagon shaped frame and it pleased both my boss and the client.

My first design was a pair of earrings using beautiful Colombian emeralds.

Although I use CAD/CAM programs, I still prefer to have jewelry made by metalsmiths because the finish is clean.

There is no specific time. It is unpredictable.

While designing, I attach a lot of importance to proportions and maintaining the right balance.

I feel the same emotions I do when I try to solve math problems.

It is a feeling that combines the regret and joy of accomplishment at the same time.

It should be fun, wearable, and simple to manufacture.

According to me, a design should tell a story.

Designers should make a conscious effort to use recycled metal and ethically sourced gems.

3D printing is already dominating jewelry fabrication and will continue to gain in importance.

I participated in two exhibitions of rings and pins held by my school in Japan but do not have any immediate plans for another one. This is because I am a designer, more than a jeweler.

It comes from everywhere: nature, architecture, textile, paintings, jewelry by other artists. The list can perhaps go on.

I would say it is minimalistic.

Currently, I live in New York. However, there is no denying that I sometimes find inspiration in the architecture and paintings of my country.

I work for a company that manufactures jewelry against orders. I try to produce the best design with the given materials and budget.

First, they must be ethical. In order to get good designs, a company should respect the designers they choose to work with.

I always have my sketchbook with me and sketch anything I find interesting, as a reference for future projects.

Pencil, tracing paper, templates, light pad, and the computer.

I cannot think of anything beyond sketching and modeling jewelry.

It is essential for them to enhance their CAD/CAM skills.

On the positive side, you can create what you want, or help people to create what they aspire for. On the negative side, you may suffer from a lack of imagination and creativity at times, especially, when things are not going so well.

I try to ensure proportional balance.

As a jewelry designer, who is neither a jeweler nor art jewelry designer, I believe sketching and computer skills are most important.

My toolbox has mechanical pencils, sketchbooks, and CAD/CAM software.

I try out different tools in order to save time. For example, the computer allows me to work faster when I need to simulate designs or work on repetitive elements.

It depends on the design. It can take anything between a couple of hours and several days.

"What is the source of your inspiration?"

It is the current freelance work I do for a company; it has helped me to enhance my knowledge on high-end fine jewelry.

The company I work for supplies designs and finished jewelry to individual clients, retailers, and high-end jewelry houses.

I love designing with limited materials supplied by clients, as it pushes me to find the best way of making use of them.

I would like to take up a full-time assignment with a fine jewelry company.

I work based on the directions from my boss or by myself.

Currently, I am working on a Tahitian pearl ring.

Through e-mail.

Designers do not necessarily have the most original ideas. I believe someone who knows how to develop contemporary ideas can be a good designer.