Interview with Tina Winness

In the process of producing jewellery, I became interested in precious stones. We then found that our clients usually have a strong connection to specific stones and started designing pieces for them from the stones they chose. This approach became popular and so we decided to start our own design studio.

Design is more than just shapes and materials; it is a form of expression. Design should evoke emotions and provoke thoughts.

I like to design pieces influenced by nature, culture and everyday things that pass by unnoticed.

My current favourite is a ring that represents a honeycomb structure. It is designed as a blend of human high-rise structures and a bees' nest. The idea behind the design came about when I noticed my neighbour calling in the fire department to get rid of a bee's nest that was under their roof. Unfortunately, they had to destroy the nest and a few stray bees wandered into my home, weak and confused. It struck me there and then that we humans have been destroying the bees' habitat, yet they strive to adapt to human developments. At the same time, we humans appear to be unable to accept the bees in our vicinity. This outlook of the current state of humanity is what provoked me into this design, as a symbol of mutual cohabitation that will hopefully one day be accepted.

The earliest work I can recall was to design bracelet charms for a jewellery manufacturer.

For handwork, I like to work with copper and brass. For modern platforms and technology such as 3D printing I usually prefer to work with gold. I’m also currently exploring producing in Titanium, which presents its own set of unique challenges.

At the crack of dawn, when it is quiet and serene, I feel the most creative. Fresh in mind and in nature, especially my garden, is where I feel most at ease.

I prefer to focus more on the underlying theme or emotion behind the design and then design the piece around it.

Designing gives me a sense of freedom as there are virtually no limits to the imagination and being able to bring my thoughts and feelings to realization brings me great happiness.

I feel a great sense of achievement when my designs are realized. It is almost as if I am welcoming them into the world.

I think a design is successful when it manages to convey the message or emotion, that the designer intended, to everyday people.

I usually consider the meaning behind the design first and foremost.

I feel that designers should help society to broaden their views and help others think outside of the norm. Design is not always immediately apparent, and it is not always just on the surface.

I think design is getting more widespread, even in everyday objects. I see design being used in the future to send messages and convey feelings as a form of silent communication.

The A’Design Award 2018-2019 at Italy is actually my first exhibition. I haven’t really given any thought to my next exhibition yet.

I gain inspiration from everything around me that I see. Even everyday things such as textiles, nature, structures. Usually inspiration strikes me when I carefully consider something that I look at, and then out comes the sketch book and I just let my ideas and emotions flow.

I would describe my design style as being artistic. I feel that using my abilities in drawing allows my creativity to flow best and that’s just what works for me. My designs often end up organic-looking due to this approach.

I live in Malaysia and our cultures definitely have an influence on my designs. As Malaysia is multi-cultural, it broadens my perspective and that’s always a good thing. I don’t really feel that there are any cons.

I work and collaborate closely with the different trades of jewellery such as stone dealers, gemmologists and jewellers. Then coordinate and follow-up on the manufacturing process to ensure that the jewellery corresponds as closely as possible to the original design.

While I feel that what makes a good designer is subjective, it is important to have a very close understanding of expectations between the company and designer’s personal style.

When I gain inspiration, I put it down in my sketch book. After that I spend some time thinking about the inspiration and further refining it. Then I create the design in 3D and tweak the design to make it more suitable to realize.

I have so many! If I were to choose, a beautiful wood engraving wall art piece that was hand carved, a bone china tea set, a set of carved koi fish sculptures, teak wood sculptures, mostly organic shapes and designs.

My day starts early, as I like to tend to my garden. Hearing the sounds of nature in the morning really makes me feel alive. I usually design during this time. In the afternoon I usually meet clients, oversee production and source materials and stones.

I would say it is good to work for different companies to have much wider exposure and experience. Most importantly is to never stop designing for yourself whenever you can.

Being able to design whatever you want is both a positive and negative. I sometimes wish I could produce exactly what I designed but it is sometimes just either not feasible, economically or physically. Other than that, because I feel that being a designer is my calling, it’s all good.

My main guiding rule is to always design with my feelings and emotions.

I feel it is important to have all the skills from traditional to modern, for example, hand drawing and making with hand tools, designing in 3D and so on.

I carry around a sketch book at all times, as you never know when inspiration strikes. The next most important tool are my eyes, always observe and contemplate. After that I prefer using Matrix on the computer to further refine and render designs.

In this respect it is not too difficult for me as I am most creative in the mornings, therefore I schedule all my appointments with clients, workshops, dealers in the afternoon.

Typically for smaller pieces or less intricate designs, it takes half a day. More involved designs can take a week or more. My Tribute Wau took about a month from conception to design, and more up to realization.

I am often asked how I come up with my designs and it is actually difficult to answer as it seems to just come entirely from my thoughts and my hands just follow the thoughts.

Working as a designer in a jewellery manufacturer. It exposed me to the full production process and got me interested in producing my own jewellery.

My clients are usually everyday people, whom I deal with directly. Some are jewellery manufacturers or retail brands that are seeking unique designs.

I love designing artistic pieces, I think mainly because I have been drawn to the pencil and brush since I was very young.

It is my wish to present my designs to a more global audience and I’m also looking to create a more accessible range of designs.

Most of the time my designs are my own, but I often receive insights and feedback from my husband.

I am currently working on a range of designs that relate to social and society. They carry a more serious message which I hope will come across and influence others.

I can be contacted through my email at tina.w@tinawinness.com

I think we’ve covered a lot!