A glimpse into the design process and then what happens when you create that piece. Do you feel compelled to strictly adhere to the original design or see it as a starting point like I do.
I thought I'd share with you a rough sketch with some notes on what I THOUGHT might be good, then a photo of the finished product. I started with a design concept requiring "circles" with some other required elements for an upcoming class I will be offering. . As you can see I made some changes along the way. I feel no obligation to the original sketch unless there is a part I love and have to keep. I make adjustments for balance - physical weight, as well as visual "balance". Changing the single bale hang point to the double attachment balanced the physical weight of the off center stone/ dangle. Sometimes I need to simplify, due to time constraints the students will be limited to. I am of the LESS IS MORE school of thought, but that doesn't mean it takes less time. We never seem to have the luxury of enough time in class.
As part of the design process it helps to make some of the main elements and then play with moving them around and LOOKING at them. Trust your "eye" on what is better. If you have that luxury of "TIME", lay it out and walk away for awhile, and come back for a fresh view. OR consider looking at it in a mirror. If you are really having a hard decision, you might consider asking another..maybe your hubby or daughter. They might not be schooled in design, but they just might have an observation you hadn't noticed. That does not mean you have to TAKE anyone's advise or suggestions. It's still YOUR piece and must be your decision. But after you get over your hurt feelings ( yes, family sometimes has an un-sugar coated delivery)....you just might see they had a valid point.
Feel free to alter your plans along the way. I often find when I am looking thru my stash for the perfect colored stone or bead to compliment the piece...I find something better, although that may require taking a few steps back design wise to make it work...hopefully for the best.
Another trick is to photograph your piece along the way. With digital and smart phone cameras, it is free and quick. I often do this when I have the perfect layout, but have to disassemble it in order to solder it . I use my cell phone pic to make sure I get it back right. The photos also help with the design. Sometimes we see something in a photo that we don't in real life.
Use any design tool that works. And why not save that original design sketch and photograph it with the finished product to see where you started...and where you ended. Who knows there might be another creation in that original design.
I thought I'd share with you a rough sketch with some notes on what I THOUGHT might be good, then a photo of the finished product. I started with a design concept requiring "circles" with some other required elements for an upcoming class I will be offering. . As you can see I made some changes along the way. I feel no obligation to the original sketch unless there is a part I love and have to keep. I make adjustments for balance - physical weight, as well as visual "balance". Changing the single bale hang point to the double attachment balanced the physical weight of the off center stone/ dangle. Sometimes I need to simplify, due to time constraints the students will be limited to. I am of the LESS IS MORE school of thought, but that doesn't mean it takes less time. We never seem to have the luxury of enough time in class.
As part of the design process it helps to make some of the main elements and then play with moving them around and LOOKING at them. Trust your "eye" on what is better. If you have that luxury of "TIME", lay it out and walk away for awhile, and come back for a fresh view. OR consider looking at it in a mirror. If you are really having a hard decision, you might consider asking another..maybe your hubby or daughter. They might not be schooled in design, but they just might have an observation you hadn't noticed. That does not mean you have to TAKE anyone's advise or suggestions. It's still YOUR piece and must be your decision. But after you get over your hurt feelings ( yes, family sometimes has an un-sugar coated delivery)....you just might see they had a valid point.
Feel free to alter your plans along the way. I often find when I am looking thru my stash for the perfect colored stone or bead to compliment the piece...I find something better, although that may require taking a few steps back design wise to make it work...hopefully for the best.
Another trick is to photograph your piece along the way. With digital and smart phone cameras, it is free and quick. I often do this when I have the perfect layout, but have to disassemble it in order to solder it . I use my cell phone pic to make sure I get it back right. The photos also help with the design. Sometimes we see something in a photo that we don't in real life.
Use any design tool that works. And why not save that original design sketch and photograph it with the finished product to see where you started...and where you ended. Who knows there might be another creation in that original design.
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