An Inside Look at Jewelry Design
Interview with Jewelry Designer Fernanda Medina
by Anne Rush.
The experience of every designer in the industry is unique. Recently I asked my friend and long time professional jewelry designer, Fernanda Medina, to share the inside story on the reality of design for the industry.
Here’s what Fernanda shared with me:
How did you first get started as a jewelry designer? Where did you study?
I originally went to Parson’s in New York City to study illustration, but after the first year, which is called ‘foundation’, I saw the gallery show that was on display and I fell in love with jewelry making. So, I changed my major to Metal Smithing.
After three years there I left to start a family. After I got the family thing going, I went to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) for my Associate in Applied Science degree majoring in jewelry design.
I first started in the accessories industry as an apprentice belt designer right out of high school. This helped me get my first full time job years down the road.
During my stint at FIT I freelanced for Tusk Ltd., a handbag company. While freelancing for them I used to take my workload to school with me, and during any breaks or lectures I would pull out my sketch pad and design or work on technical drawings that I was completing for the full time designer at Tusk.
Two years after graduation from FIT while working in an apparel company, I designed and made the wedding jewelry for one of the designers in that company. She encouraged me to send out my resume and get a design position.
I began designing belts again at Liz Claiborne, and soon after that was hired full time by the jewelry division of Liz Claiborne.
What do you like best about working for a company?
What I liked best about working in design is being creative, and ultimately when you see your product in a store it brings a satisfaction that I cannot begin to explain. It’s so gratifying to know that you created that design from concept to final approval – and then there it is in stores across the country!
What do you think are the most important skills a designer should have to be successful?
A designer should have a good eye and be able to spot trends that can be turned into saleable product as soon as they see it.
It’s important to have great presentation skills in order to sell your ideas, solid technical and rendering skills, and also you should be able to multi-task – which is usually needed during emergencies – and always try to stay ahead of the game by keeping on top of the details.
Tell us a little about the atmosphere where you work; what else should a good designer know?
I am currently the Senior Designer on a number of brands at Liz Claiborne. It is very fast paced since we are constantly chasing new trends to bring into the store before someone else beats us to it.
Twice a year I present my concepts to one of our clients. This has worked out very well because I get to know first hand what their needs and goals are. They feel more comfortable working directly with the person who developed the product as opposed to the person selling it, and that makes the client feel like they are closer and understand the product better.
I do need to understand both the business and the merchandising aspects of how to create a line as well. This is something that I have learned over the course of my career. It’s good to know what the consumer is reacting to, and what they don’t like.
I like to know if something is selling or not, in this way I can better come up with more products that will increase our sales, and get the right product out there to our customers.
What advice would you give to new designers out there – things you would have liked to know when starting out?
- Don’t doubt yourself.
- No question is ever too stupid to ask. The more you ask, the more you are going to learn.
Fernanda Medina has designed for Liz Claiborne, and brands including Villager, Axcess, Monet 2, Marvella, Marvella Studio, Liz & Co, Trifari, Apt.9 and Stamp 10.
You can see her work at Kohl’s, J.C. Penney’s, and Target.
Author Anne Rush is a professional jewelry designer with 20 years of experience in the industry. She was most recently the VP of Design for Liz Claiborne Jewelry. Her website
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