The course proposes a methodological approach to Jewelry Design and illustrates the most technical components of the job of a designer: it is indispensable knowing about materials, work processes and the technology of transformation for luxury jewelry, goldsmiths, costume jewelry, silver and other objects.
The first year is dedicated to acquiring the basic technical tools, a correct basic design methodology and a solid preparation of transversal cultural themes, regarding the jewelry sector, design and fashion. The learning experience concentrates on acquiring knowledge about the design methods used to create a jewelry collection, the contents of the course modules are directed towards deepening the knowledge tied to the observation of reality, translating the signals and to the development of an initial idea, working with it until transforming it into a product. This means understanding some of the basic techniques (technology of materials, technical drawings and actual modeling, graphics and design software), methodologies (how to organize a design book, from the mood board to the choice of materials, and to the study of forms, from the technical design to the product specs) and culture (history of design, of fashion, psychology and perception of the form, semiotics). The main goal is to develop the capacity to elaborate new forms, to analyze and synthesize reality, develop one’s own ideas and translate their creativity into objects and products, following a precise methodological process.
The second year is designed to deepen one’s skills, in which the method, the tools acquired and the cultural aspects are put to concrete use: the projects (luxury jewelry, body accessories, alternative jewelry, watches, glasses) are dealt with in their various phases of research/development and communication and represent the building blocks of the course of learning. Each subject is thought about as a function of the project: the technical and expressive means, the cultural codes, the approach to fashion marketing and design management are all seen as tools to complete the project: from the search for an inspiring theme, till the product and it’s communication strategy, each phase is monitored and thoroughly explored. The main goal: the management of the creative process, the timing and the mechanisms of project design, until reaching a first stage of tastes and personal competencies, which could describe a “style” in relation to the two basic areas of reference: design and fashion.
The third year is dedicated to an advanced design project in a simulated professional context, and having a complex cultural reference point, tied particularly to the relationship between cinema and fashion. The thesis project represents a moment of growth and autonomy, in which personal intuition is stimulated and critical thinking is developed in the student, which should result in the development of a personal style, original and coherent and transformed into a product. The student should also demonstrate knowhow regarding the efficient placement of his/her work on the fashion market, describing the technical and quality aspects as well as the cost structure tied to the production.
The course is acknowledged by MIUR as an Academic Diploma First Level
