We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Jelena Dinic about their original and creative Jewellery design work. Jelena Dinic is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original jewellery works.
Jelena Dinic ("JD") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work The Link Jewellery. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
JD : “The Link” is a unique design of a ring, complete with a set of earrings and a pendant. When creating this model, I used the term “shank”, representing connection within a larger unit – a chain, symbolizing Earth’s satellite, the Moon, which, according to certain interpretations, connects. Both of the motifs are evident in the design itself.
JD : Although the moon has oftentimes been used as a motif, in all cultures and religions of the world, it can always be viewed outside of cultural and religious boundaries in a new context and in a different way. Because it is a celestial body that is ever present and familiar to all of us, it can be experienced through a completely personal lens. It impresses upon each and every one of us with the way it affects nature, the beauty of its phases and the light which it reflects. Even as a child I would gaze at that disk, sometimes full, other times crescent, nevertheless hypnotizing, wondering “How many people are at this very moment looking up at the Moon? And are they asking the same question as I am? Do they know that now, at this very moment, while sharing this view at the Moon, I am thinking of them?” Then I realized (this was long before the internet and modern telecommunication devices), that the Moon could be a link. A link between two distant lovers. Between a mother and her child whom life had for some reason torn apart. Between two friends living thousands of kilometers away from one another. They only need look at the Moon, their link, and they will be in each other’s thoughts.
JD : For now, I am not sure, but I think that at some point it will be available to those who would like to wear it.
JD : The idea came to me in July 2021, and I finished the design the same year in November.
JD : The ring is a jewelry piece that almost every woman in the world wears. This particular model was a materialization of something which we admire, the Moon. Something that we all naturally gravitate towards and that is the connection to the people we love. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it makes something distant, out of our reach, wearable every day in the form of a simplistic and elegantly designed jewelry piece.
JD : I haven’t decided yet, though production negotiations are ongoing.
JD : The very fact that the Moon has been an inspiration for designers for centuries presented me with a challenge to show my own perspective.
JD : I wasn’t influenced by any other designers but I did get lots of positive feedback when I asked for a second opinion from my colleagues.
JD : The target customer could be anyone who visually likes the design or can relate to the idea of connection and the story of my inspiration.
JD : I am not sure I could impartially comment on that. But I do think that the symbolism which my work carries, in the form of a simple ring for everyday wear, is unique to this design.
JD : The Link, as the name suggests, is a play on words. Visually it is clear that the shank of the ring is made up of multiple connected links, which are shaped like different phases of the Moon.
JD : First and foremost a pen and paper for sketching, and then a software for 3D modeling and rendering. A 3D printer was used for materialization and then it was cast in 925 sterling silver.
JD : I’d say the most unique aspect is the fact that it carries so much symbolism in the simple form as the ever-present motif of the Moon.
JD : Throughout the designing process I worked entirely on my own. With the help of the jewelry company I’ve been working with for years, I was able to materialize and produce my first set for my personal use.
JD : It would have been a much more difficult and prolonged process if it weren’t for modern technology, 3D software, 3D printers and the likes. Digital tools have made the process easier in many ways.
JD : I researched reasons why people wear certain pieces of jewelry and come to the conclusion that over the course of history, time has shown that jewellery is used as a form of self expression. This is why people buy, wear and become attached to jewellery based on the symbolism those pieces carry, but the personal symbolism which people create through their connection with the jewellery is crucial, as is the story which each individual has and which stands behind the jewellery’s true immaterial value.
JD : The motif of the Moon has always been an inspiration to artists from different spheres of art so it’s difficult to implement something so frequently exploited into something new while avoiding being misinterpreted as biased towards any cultural, racial, national or religious group. The Moon is a universal motif. Therefore, there is still room to bring it closer to people in another way and for us to connect through something we have all always held near, in this time of overall lack of connection
JD : I was a team member with the designer who won the Iron A’Design award in 2020 and ever since then I’ve been familiar with the advantages of taking part in this prestigious competition so I decided to take on that challenge myself.
JD : While creating this ring and throughout the entire application process, besides the fact that my confidence grew, I learned that there is an entire microcosm of designers I have yet to get to know and want to be a part of.
