One of the things that most professional jewelry designers take for granted is their ability to design a selection of product with a common thread that creates visual excitement and offers the right mix of styles for the industry.
Most first time freelancers and new designers in the industry tend to design one level of style and show variations on that one style. This kind of presentation will not get you far. Always keep in mind that the client is paying for creativity, but is ultimately trying to deliver products that will sell.
The higher the number of designs that the client can actually use in relation to the time they paid you for is critical to freelancing. You improve your standing as a resource of substance when you can deliver quantity, quality and speed.
For example, I once worked with a young woman who took my direction and only showed me various beaded, layered necklaces- in a vast number of layouts. For me, this was really only one design. They would all have to retail at the same price point. So once i chose one, that was it. I just paid for 6 hours of work and got one design. i most likely would not call her again.
Had she showed me pendants, chains, bracelets or earrings I could use with the necks, and In a range of price points I could merchandise together to create a collection– withing the same 6 hours, you can be sure she would be working for me a great deal.
However, once I took the time to show her the basic components of a ‘collection” for fashion jewelry, and explained why it was what i needed, she quickly understood the full extent of my needs and was able to flesh out her concept successfully. unfortunately, you may not have that luxury.
How would she have ever known prior to getting an assignment with me what would work?
Perhaps a bit of observation of the product at the department stores would help. If you look closely you can see that the products that are presented inside the cases are the ‘drama pieces’- with higher retails, and that on top of the counter are the lower retail styles. There is a calculated reason for this structure. The case line creates the visual ‘draw’ to the shopper, and the top of counter products are specifically designed to be easy to touch, at the right price point, and based on a great deal of previous selling information in order to drive the business.
Notice that by the use of color, design details, and materials that the message of the collection each month is very seriously considered and coordinated.
Jewelry Design Freelancers can design for success if they create designs that cover a range of retail targets, have some designs that match each other and others that simply coordinate, make sure to design- earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and pins,and offer something eye catching and unique to center the idea.
Always make sure to give the client exactly what they expected, but always add something just a little more novel- it may not be chosen, but showing that you are pushing for innovation insures a call back!
