University News Last updated 09 March 2016
Two students at the School of Jewellery have been awarded silver and bronze awards from the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Awards.
Stephanie Wills and Gabi Gucci are both students of the Jewellery and Silversmithing - Design for Industry course. They received the bronze and silver awards respectively for the 2D Design Section of the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Awards.
The live brief for the awards submission was a part of the first project of the year-long Design for Industry course. The students were supported through the process of the application and submission by the department.
The brief for this section of the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Awards was for a moveable piece, designed using CAD (computer-aided design) and demonstrating advanced modelling techniques and manufacturing knowledge.
Stephanie’s response to this brief was developed out of her interest in symmetry and patterns. In her design research, Stephanie looked at the image of the butterfly and chrysalis. As the brief details, the piece must be moveable, which was the inspiration for the revealing and concealing element of the work. Using CAD systems and the equipment supplied to students by the school, Stephanie finalised her striking design for her locket and gemstone necklace.
Gabi Gucci’s design submission was based on his interest in the aesthetic of Japanese Zen gardens. He combined this with the image and mechanisms of a roller-coaster; creating a dynamic design for his railed hand ring, which was featured in the catalogue of the Goldsmiths’ Awards.
Both Gabi and Stephanie were thrilled to have been a part of the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Awards 2016 and proud that Birmingham City University was one of the institutions nominated for the distinguished ‘best learning provider’ title. The awards event itself allowed Stephanie and Gabi to network with other award winners and distinguished individuals from within the industry.
Stephanie came to the Design for Industry course from a background of 3D design and having worked in the industry, while Gabi was advised by professionals within the industry that the Birmingham School of Jewellery is among the best regarded jewellery schools in Europe.
Both find the course to be challenging and rewarding and are interested in entering their work for further briefs from the industry. It is their intention to use the course, which incorporates a personal development plan geared towards creating a career and business plan, as a stepping stone to careers within the jewellery industry.
Details of their work and more information about Stephanie Wills and Gabi Gucci can be found on their respective websites.