DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
MR : The inspiration behind this ring comes from Monet’s Water Lilies and his life story. As a painter, Monet is one of my favorite artists. This Impressionist master struggled with visual impairment, which made him perceive purple instead of blue and paint white in shimmering tones. Yet his condition never hindered his art—instead, it became a gateway to extraordinary creativity.
That’s why I designed this ring: purple tanzanite echoes Monet’s unique palette, while the sculpted leaves pay homage to his lilies. The diamonds are a nod to the glittering whites in his paintings, and the name “Queen of Lake” is my tribute to his Water Lilies series—with its sharp white highlights and dreamy interplay of blues and purples.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
MR : I designed this handcrafted ring to be versatile. It has a mechanism that lets you easily transform it into a pendant or a brooch. Each side is delicately designed, and even the back is handmade, adorned with a tanzanite stone. Despite its size, the ring is comfortable to wear. Inspired by Monet’s Water Lilies, this piece reflects my artistic vision.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
MR : From the initial sketch to the finished piece, this handcrafted ring took a month and a half. Each leaf was shaped entirely by hand. I wanted the ring to transform effortlessly into a pendant, with a beautiful yet functional back pin. Even the underside had to be as gorgeous as the exterior—selecting the stones required careful thought. Setting them beneath the petals took time, and finding the pearl was a challenge due to its rare size and color.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
MR : Queen of the Lake was inspired by my love for Impressionist art and Monet’s Water Lilies. At its center is a rare pearl, its color chosen to match the dreamy beauty of his paintings.
I wanted to show that imperfections don’t hold us back—they move us forward. This wasn’t a commissioned piece; every detail came from my passion, so the ring wouldn’t just be beautiful—it would have soul.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
MR : This design is entirely my own, and I produce it myself. I have no plans to sell or lease the production rights to any other party. I insist on personally overseeing every stage of its creation—from the precision of craftsmanship to the hand-selection of each gemstone. Only through this level of control can I ensure the exacting standards and artistic integrity I envision for Queen of Lake.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
MR : I wanted to design jewelry based on a beautiful thought. Being a painter myself, I was inspired by the life story of another painter to express a psychological idea. I designed jewelry to convey an important message to others. It was important to me not only to focus on the aesthetic, but also to make it meaningful. To honor my environmental perspective, I designed this ring to be multifunctional and useful for different occasions.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
MR : I was inspired by Monet and his artwork to create this ring.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
MR : My ideal customer is someone who sees jewelry as more than adornment. Someone who cherishes the whispers of artistry and meaning woven into each piece. They value rarity not just in gemstones, but in the soul of a design; someone who would pause to trace the brushstrokes of Monet in a tanzanite’s violet depths, or find strength in the reminder that imperfections can bloom into brilliance. This isn’t jewelry for passing trends, but for those who wear art as a second skin.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
MR : Queen of Lake is designed based on a very distinct and different idea. It is a multifunctional ring with a unique design and setting that makes it stand out from other similar designs. The aesthetic aspect of the design is carefully considered—I’ve even worked closely on the back part of the ring, adorning it with a purple gemstone. I wanted this ring to look gorgeous from every angle. It is fully handmade; each petal is formed with extra care to enhance its poetic look.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
MR : Queen of Lake draws its name from Monet's Water Lilies—just as these flowers transform still waters into a living masterpiece, this ring turns precious metals and gems into an art piece. Like Monet's blooms, it is both delicate and enduring.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
MR : I created my sketch with two methods: first using the classic method, by hand with colored pencils and gouache. I also created the design using Procreate software.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
MR : Queen of Lake is a masterpiece of transformation—one ring that unfolds into three distinct jewelry pieces, each with its own captivating beauty. Though grand in scale, it wears with surprising comfort, a testament to precise craftsmanship.
The gemstones’ harmonious palette creates a visual symphony, while the rare, luminous pearl at its heart elevates its allure. Every angle reveals hand-chased details, proof of its artisanal birth. And like Monet’s reverence for nature, this piece is crafted with eco-conscious care—because true luxury honors both art and earth.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
MR : To maintain comfort and a smooth transformation mechanism into three different jewelry pieces, research has been conducted on construction methods. The back pin design of the ring has been refined multiple times to achieve the desired elegance and security simultaneously. In terms of choosing gemstones, extensive research was conducted on Monet's life and his Water Lilies series to find a perfect match that complements the color of the water in his work; this led to the choice of tanzanite. Diamonds were added to the petals to make them more radiant. Pink pearls were intentionally selected to symbolize hope in the design.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
MR : The most challenging aspect of the design was developing a convenient method for changing the pendant into a ring. It was essential to maintain the safety and delicacy of the pin behind the brooch at the same time. Due to the limited free space, setting various forms of tanzanite stones under the petals was quite challenging. The backside of the jewelry had to be designed precisely because a pin and safety lock are located on the backside when the shank is detached, and it has to look elegant.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
MR : I knew the A' Design Award was one of the world's largest and most prestigious competitions, and I wanted my design to be seen on the global stage. When a meaningful psychological and social idea turns into an art piece, it becomes more attractive and needs a wider stage to be introduced. Design is a powerful medium to convey ideas and thoughts, and I wanted to take this as an opportunity to express my message.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
MR : To achieve the most aesthetically pleasing design, I made many adjustments along the way. Working on this multifunctional ring's setting taught me a lot. I wanted my ring to turn into a pendant and a brooch, so I had to be innovative in creating a transformation mechanism. The entire design and manufacturing process became an incredibly valuable experience.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MR : When choosing jewelry, seek pieces that carry meaning as richly as they carry gemstones. The true value lies not in materials alone, but in designs that grow more beautiful with time. My creations are born from this belief: every form and each stone should whisper a story.
Finally, I would like to thank the A' Design Award and the jury for awarding me the Platinum and Silver Prizes. I am deeply grateful and hope to contribute more. Being selected as a winner for two of my designs is profoundly meaningful to me.