DESIGNER SYNERGY

Working with seven other designers is both a privilege and a challenge for me. Each designer has his or her own design approach, taste, and aesthetics. To get them to work together or individually on a thematic collection requires a certain type of skill comparable to that of a politician about to run for the presidential post. The question “How do you get an entire nation to vote for you?” in design lingo might as well be said as “How do you get these designers to work for a Jurassic-inspired collection?” The parallelism is so uncanny. The arms twisting are replaced with the more subtle goading and haggling though….and yes, much like in politics, cash rewards do work.

The first time I took my post as Head for Design and Development, I remembered it to be quite a painful, emotional roller coaster for me. Though it helped that most of my designer-colleagues had worked with me with a previous employer, still, the idea that they now report to me for design approval is quite daunting.

As a designer myself, I really believe in my heart that each designer thinks that their design is the best there is. And because art is highly relative, I must agree to this. What looks good with one might not look good with another. One’s trash is another’s treasure.

It is in this realm of so much relativity that I tread with great care. As Head of Design of a commercial fashion jewelry company, I look at designs not just in terms of creative expression but in consideration of more practical parameters—cost, materials, color relevance for the season, time and the capability to be mass produced --- in short, marketability and viability of the product.

Much like giving birth, each new design creation shows the same promise and potential of a newborn child. Hence, it is quite devastating that a design, one labored for several weeks, land in the “not approve for development” section. The bearer of the news and verdict, I, becomes instantly unpopular. I am just glad that except for dagger-looks and a few episodes of cold war, those were just the extent that the embattled designer had gone through.

Now I understand why it is not surprising at all that a lot of politicians are not keen in pointing out the mistakes and failures of their constituents especially when election time is coming. As the famous Beatle’s song goes, “honesty is such a lonely word”. With my post, I deal with honestly more often that it is for my own good.

Seeing the dwindling number of friends at work due to rejections of designs, I came up with the idea of vetting designs. What we basically do is for the designers to lay out on the table the first piece they make in a collection. They must not name who made the collection. This first piece is then presented to every member of the design team where each one would make his or her comments and suggestions.

Prior to the vetting, certain rules are put into place. Comments must not be personal but must only pertain to the design or the piece presented. Comments must be constructive and must be aimed at improving the product. Price will also be determined at this stage and everyone must assess if the product can be sold based on its price. If the price is too high, we then replace some of the expensive materials or tweak the design a bit to bring down the cost. The mathematics involved in computing the price is simple but to analyze how a design positions itself in the market is not.

I used to dread having to reject or alter someone else’s design. My comments, no matter how well crafted, are always viewed as a personal rejection. With group vetting, however, everyone has the chance to say something including the designer himself or herself. Thus, it becomes a much healthier exercise for the group. It definitely fosters cooperation as there had been times when 2 or 3 designers collaborate on a design. This collaborative work has also determined and made use of what each designer is really good at.

One designer for instance is really good at combining colors. I have observed that even prior to the vetting, the other designers would defer to this designer to assess the palette of the newly developed piece. What used to be me, mine, and myself way of doing things has now become all and everyone’s masterpiece.

Indeed this strategy has worked so well that this is now our standard protocol.

A lot of people has approached and asked me what our secret is for our fashion jewelry line to thrive despite the economic crisis. Well, there’s really no single formula but product design definitely contributes much. I am just so blessed to be part of a team of designers who individually possesses innate outstanding creative talents that when put together produces meaningful, relevant, and world-class designs. To me, that’s the Designer synergy at its best!

Photo Credits: Cave Woman; Wired Ring; Hammered Cuff; Copper Disc Earrings

My Inspirations...

“What inspires you to create a design or to write about something?”

I’ve been asked this question countless times and while this seemed like a good question to ask somebody whose main source of livelihood depends heavily on art and creative work, my answer is actually not outstanding. In fact some would say, too generic.

My usual answer would be “anything”. This is not a conspiracy answer among artists, believe me, nor do I want to sound mysterious to haggle for attention. The truth is, as boring and as plain as it may sound, anything and everything inspires me.

There was a time in my teenage years when the confusion and struggles both in my school and family life prompted me to pour out my soul through my sketches. Sketches, doodles, scribbles… mostly incomprehensible - were my lifeline to sanity back then.

I remembered vaguely that I was vying for the top honors in school then and boy, people in the provinces, really takes these things so seriously. The teachers handling our class were torn between the two competing students. I remember one serious talk with one of my teacher-advisers as she detailed to me my class standing.

I garnered second in the end, but looking back, the lessons learned on struggles, survival, victories and losses are all so surreal --- worthy of a local FAMAS Award. Now if only I can get Judy Ann Santos to play my role.

Then at another time and place, one evening, heavy with my first child, I just could not get myself to sleep. Perhaps it was some crazy hormonal imbalance kicking, I found myself turning and tossing, feeling so depressed and for no reason at all.

To get me occupied and quell the strong urge to bother anyone else (poor husband!), I found myself painting in acrylic this serene and peaceful picture of a blue house. I finished this “master piece” at 4 am. I guess that was my own artistic way of pacifying the turmoil raging inside of me. I am proud to say that aside from the big heavy eye bags, and the sore achy back, no other collateral damage had been done.

When my two boys were aged 3 and 5, I considered that to be by far, the most chaotic family situation we ever had. I found solace in the scrapbooks and journals, and of little “Dear Khalil” and “Dear Karlo” notes I neatly compiled for my sons. Perhaps someday when they are old enough, they would understand through my own little chronicle of their adventures and mischief of just how uniquely special and wonderful both of them are.

In my career as fashion jewelry designer, some four years ago, I came across a client who brought us 3 pieces of designer necklaces and asked us to come up with 25 collections in one month. Our only inspirations were the 3 necklaces she left us. Talk about stress and pressure!

Pressed with a deadline, it’s amazing how much creative juices flow to come up with the most sought-after pieces. I have posted a picture of one of my favorite works borne out of that one-month creative sojourn.

So as if on cue, as if history is repeating itself, here I am again, faced with a 2 month deadline to come up with 45 collections of designer pieces to showcase in one of the major fashion jewelry tradeshows.

My inspirations for this gynormous endeavor? ….I am not looking far…I’d like to share with you some snap shots of the corner stone of my collection….my kids artworks! It’s unrestrained, unmindful, carefree, happy, expressive, head turning, and one that simply calls for attention, just exactly what I want our next collection to be.




Overall, I must say that my creative output is very much influenced by my state of mind, emotions, life situation, and maturity as an artist. And oh, I must include my understanding of my client’s needs and goals.

Nowadays, I don’t see myself doing childish doodles anymore, but like exactly what I am doing right now, writing this blog, announcing to the world just where I am and what I feel…