Bronze Jewelry Design · 2019
Blue Daisy Multifunctional Ring
by Teong Yan Ni
- A' Design Award 2019 Bronze Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2019
- CLIENT: Ivy Teong
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 22,506
- Verification code 0F2A678C5A · Verify this award
About Blue Daisy Multifunctional Ring
Daisy's are composite flowers with two flowers combined into one, an inner section and an outer petal section. It symbolizes the intertwining of two representing true love or the ultimate bond. The design blends in the uniqueness of the daisy flower allowing the wearer to wear the Blue Daisy in multiple ways. The choice of blue sapphires for the petals are to emphasize inspiration for hope, desire and love. Yellow sapphires chosen for the central flower petal engulfs the wearer to feel a sense of joy and pride giving the wearer complete serenity and confidence in displaying its elegance.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Blue Daisy is a hand fabricated piece meant for elegant, versatile though it may sound technical but a feminine one. It can be wear as a ring and can be detach to wear as a pendant. It suits wearer whom like to mix and match or wear at different occasions. The choices of gems are blue sapphire for petals and yellow sapphires at the center with white metal for ring which in contrast. The petals were made unequal to make the design more alive as it is floating.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Weight of ring 4.94gram, weight of pendant 5.82gram, height 28mm, ring size Asian 11, thickness of ring 3mm
- Tags
- versatile jewelry, multifunctional jewelry, blue daisy jewelry, blue daisy ring, blue daisy pendant
- Production Technology
- Number of sketches were made for design elements such as size, shape, arrangement and practicality. I also used clay and paper cut to assist me better. Discussions between manufacturer, checking result or progress at every stage was utmost important for accuracy, good workmanship and common understanding.
- Design Challenge
- The most challenging was the technical part of the hinges and lock whereby it has to be practical, and yet unnoticeable. Couple of trials and errors made and communication to manufacturer also has taken up some time.
- Project Duration
- This piece started in March 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and ended June 2018.
- Operation Flow
- Blue Daisy is meant for multifunctional or interchangeable. From ring to pendant or vice versa at different occasions. It is very simple to operate. From ring to attach and detach, simply open, unlock at the back of the band and pull out gently. Once detached, it can wear as a pendant, where the bail designed hidden at the back. To attach back to the band, simply slide back in accordingly to the top of the band, close and lock it.
- Research
- Firstly, to check the characteristic of the flower such as the petals, colors and composites. Actual flowers and pictures were gathered. Then, ratio and size of the flower was taken. Multiple sketches were made in order to translate it into jewelry. Other than basic tools, clay was used for initial concept and changes. It then translated into wax carving as a model before fabricated it to the shapes and form. Technical part such as size, weight, hook, tail and flexibility were also tested to ensure meeting the versatility yet modelling blue daisy without compromising the practicality.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration was from blue daisy flower which the color is rare, unique and mystic in compare to pink or peach daisies. Imagined from a lady holding a blue daisy flower in between fingers, the idea of ring is created. Initially, ring was the only choice, but since the flower part is big, I thought perhaps can add a hidden hook, detachable and make into a pendant too. More research went on by checking the real flowers, pictures, bracelets, necklaces, doors, cabinets for the technical part.
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Teong Yan Ni, 2019 (AR2019001780)
Colors of Blue Daisy Multifunctional Ring
Design Interview about Blue Daisy Multifunctional Ring
The main principle, idea and inspiration behind my design was from the flower daisy. The reason I chose blue is blue is more rare than pink and peach daisies.
My main focus in designing my work are femininity and versatility. I want this piece to be appear feminine and flexible as to be able to wear differently at different occasions. Also, uneven shapes of the petals.
My future plan is to publicize my design and to pitch company whom needed my services.
If we talk about just the concept part, it takes about 1-2 months.
I decided on this concept base on my own accord. The inspiration was kicked in when I first saw the blue daisies in the florist shop that attracted me.
I don’t think my design currently is being used by another company. I also have copyrighted it. I have produced a piece for my own collection purpose but if any party interested to buy or lease the production right, I am alright with it.
I like to produce this particular work because it is unusual in the market and less seen in the market.
My friends have given me some honest feedback and the rest by my own.
My target customer is female, age 30 and above.
The interchangeable part set this design apart from other similar resembling concept.
I named after the type and color of the flower.
When I were working on this project, I used drawing and coloring tools, sketch book, clay and paper.
The most unique part is versatility.
Yes, I work with manufacturing expert team to produce this design.
The role of technology is the interchangeable part.
Research of blue daisy flowers was done. The objective was to check the characteristic of the flower such as the petals, colors and other nature. Actual flowers and online pictures were gathered. From there, ratio and size of the flower was taken. Multiple sketches was made in order to translate it into jewelry. Drawing tools such as ruler, measurement tools such as geometrical set were used. Clay was used for initial concept and changes. It then translated into wax carving as a model before fabricated it to the shapes and form. From there, technical part such as size, weight, lock, hinges and bail was tested. The research part was very important to ensure the design is meeting the versatility yet modelling blue daisy without compromising the practicality.
The most challenging was the technical part of the hinges and lock whereby it has to be practical, and the unnoticeable. Couple of trial and errors made and communication to manufacturer also has taken up some time.
Actually, it was from Mr Toi, whom saw his brother Zang Toi as a fashion designer on how he made his brand successful and advised me that I should participate in a competition and visit New York fashion show. So, I began registered an account in A' Design Award & Competition in 2016, but I wasn’t ready back then when I was at beginning in this field. In 2018, when I designed Blue Daisy, I received numerous positive feedback from friends. And thought it will be great and good time to present my design to a prestige international design competition. Honestly, I consume a lot of time in running my daily working tasks, this was really a push for me with also other limited resources I have, and I am glad I can make it happened and won an award. I felt thankful to Mr Toi and those whom had given me advice and support.
If I can improve this design, I would love to make this design in larger size.
Stay tune for my upcoming projects.
Grand Interview about Blue Daisy Multifunctional Ring
It was all started the idea of ring creation at first. I love seeing the blue daisy floating between fingers and I want it to be big. Like an extravaganza type of ring or a cocktail ring. I want it to look fancy and distinctive. So to hold the big flower, I need to have a strong, thick or heavy ring or shank. So basically the whole piece may look a little strong. Since one of the focuses of my blue daisy is on versatile and multifunctional or interchangeable, I started to think of brooch or pendant. Earrings is not the option because I want a pair design for earrings and ring piece, I only have one that could take out. However, after some thoughts, brooch is not possible due to technical aspect. But for pendant yes it will be a brilliant. Also, it goes well with my principle of multiple occasion of wearing. For occasion that wearer may not want to be flashy, a pendant is just nice. Suitable to simple casual outing or going to the office. After working, it can transform to a cocktail ring for an evening party or night out.
The blue and yellow color from the daisy is the best contrast and why I chosen blue sapphire and yellow sapphire is because they are tough but not hardest. Just like the nature of daisy, feminine but strong. Not the hardest stone like diamond I will choose because hardest can mean stubborn and for a feminine flower like daisy a hint of strength is their character. People associate blue to more masculine behaviour but my blue daisy design in not entirely masculine, but achieving charm and elegant yet extraordinary with the contrast.
My background of marketing taught me how to observe, analyse and research about the market positioning, user behavioural and the be stand out from other marketing options. On the development part, for every new product development we need to go thought numerous processes from ideation to reality. It takes longer time even in the preparation but it definitely worth it. Therefore patience and mental strength are indeed play a vital role. Having said that, sometime, taking outsider feedback can be greatly help as well.
There are numerous thoughts put in place to try how to hook on the shank. This is the most challenging part. Besides sketches, I used mold to test out. I even researched other product such as cabinet hinges, door hinges and other work for better understanding. But when it came to stability, it took me much concern. So, I figured out how a bracelet secure the closing, basically with a lock mechanism. That was the “AHA” moment. On the other hand, for the pendant, I have to think how to create the bail for the chain and avoid letting the hinge part create any discomfort on the skin, so I make the bail slightly larger at the back of the pendant.
Considering daisy has many petals and overlapping each other, it is pretty challenge to make it lookalike especially with gemstone. In my case I have chosen marquise shape blue sapphire to represent the petals. With each of a tiny blue sapphire marquise, when combines with asymmetrical arrangement, it gives some hint of motion and 3D. Just like the flower is alive, moving happily, confidently in an open field with the wind blowing. This moment can be very free and attractive. This is the feeling I want the wearer to carry.
I would not say departure of traditional design but it is more to having variety of styles and changes. It is the evolution and another innovation from conventional. My concept is versatile. There are many ways wearing a jewelry and we do not need to stick with one or two. There is no wrong way of wearing it as everyone has their own expression. Be courage to express your own unique value. Be yourself, be confident and be recognize, these are the attributes of modern women lifestyle.
The shank and ring need to be solid. The weight is an important factor especially considering holding another big piece. Therefore, center is the best aim. The connection between piece is better at the center. You may not use the reference from conventional jewelry. The technical aspects are entirely different but I love this challenge. I would love to create something out of the norm. Beside weight, thickness, length and workmanship to make the connection part smooth, precise and accurate. This is for the security and comfort for wearing.
I have successfully portrayed this creation is a versatile piece, it challenges the conventional norm because it required a lot of thought and hard work to design and make. However, I strongly believe it can be mass produce and it does carry a strong commercial value to the market. The future of the jewelry design should be creative and innovative so that it carries the real value.
Find your life purpose. Trust your intuition. Build your dream. Besides, have proper research, planning and mental preparation of this new venture. Prepare for challenging path ahead but for me I never regretted my decision. This journey has given me exponential growth, vast experience, opening up my mind, deep connection within yourself and motivation to work every day. Also sense of joy and fulfilment that uncommendable. I would advise not immediately jump into decision but carefully analyse all factors such as your support system, technical knowledge, execution plan and so forth. My favourite quote will be “Design Your Dream” by Ivy Teong.
To balance between element of design and execution always a contemplating one. Being a designer sometimes can think too much of an artistic person and may be easily neglect the execution part. When I first study about design I focus a lot on drawing but have limited knowledge on practicality. I overcome my limitation by further study on jewelry making and manufacturing hands on. With this knowledge, with every idea I have for design, I will think about both technical innovation and artistic expression. A great design must be wearable and meet some standard of industry requirement. Once it became a habit, you will not exclude this factor out of your creation. It is part of your creation.