University News Last updated 31 July 2018
BA (Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing – Design For Industry student, Andrew Cowley, is celebrating after gaining national recognition at New Designers in London.
Every year, up and coming creatives are acknowledged as they exhibit their work at the renowned industry event.
Weston Beamore- a member of The British Jewellers’ Association awarded Andrew Cowley with a fantastic prize consisting of an invaluable work placement and £250! The team were hugely impressed with his innovative flair, finishing techniques and ability to transform his vison into a finished design.
Andrew’s creation was a Platinum and Diamond set pendant, and an 18ct White and Diamond neckpiece. He wowed the judges with his demonstration of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing skills, with comments from the panel such as ‘beautiful wearable piece of jewellery’ and ‘aesthetically pleasing.’
Andrew has a background in fine jewellery and gained experience working for an independent jewellers, where he was taught how to repair and hand-make jewellery. He set himself an end goal of creating a piece of work that could sit in a jewellery shop on Bond Street. With that in mind, Andrew fixed his attention on creating everything himself instead of outsourcing some of the work.
Studying Design for Industry enhanced Andrew’s skills and enabled him to learn about modern manufacturing techniques such as CAD and prototyping. It is a combination of these skills that opened up a whole new realm of manufacturing capabilities and opportunities for progression.