We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Tina Winness ("TW").
Tina Wong is an artist painter and jewellery designer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her designs are inspired by nature, geometry, textiles and traditions. Made in a variety of materials and designed by hand and CAD in the Malaysia her collections are striking, bold as well as being timeless and classic. Tina studied Fine Arts and to equip herself further as a jewellery designer, obtained diploma at Raffles College of Higher Education. Tina also designs and manufactures on commission. If you want to read more about her jewellery, please follow her in Instagram alti_design. If you are interested in any commissions or jewellery consultation, she may be contacted at tina.w@tinawinness.com
Tina Winness Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Tina Winness.
Designer Interview of Tina Winness:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
TW : I didn't actually start as a designer. I graduated in fine arts and have always loved drawing and painting. Nothing makes me happier than picking up my drawing tools and immersing myself in drawing. One day, a jewellery manufacturer approached me to produce hand-drawn jewellery designs and from there I became interested in jewellery design. I took a Diploma in Jewellery Design at Raffles International Collage to learn more and started producing my own jewellery.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TW : In the process of producing jewellery, I became interested in precious stones. We then found that our clients usually have a strong connection to specific stones and started designing pieces for them from the stones they chose. This approach became popular and so we decided to start our own design studio.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TW : Design is more than just shapes and materials; it is a form of expression. Design should evoke emotions and provoke thoughts.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TW : I like to design pieces influenced by nature, culture and everyday things that pass by unnoticed.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TW : My current favourite is a ring that represents a honeycomb structure. It is designed as a blend of human high-rise structures and a bees' nest. The idea behind the design came about when I noticed my neighbour calling in the fire department to get rid of a bee's nest that was under their roof. Unfortunately, they had to destroy the nest and a few stray bees wandered into my home, weak and confused. It struck me there and then that we humans have been destroying the bees' habitat, yet they strive to adapt to human developments. At the same time, we humans appear to be unable to accept the bees in our vicinity. This outlook of the current state of humanity is what provoked me into this design, as a symbol of mutual cohabitation that will hopefully one day be accepted.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TW : The earliest work I can recall was to design bracelet charms for a jewellery manufacturer.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TW : For handwork, I like to work with copper and brass. For modern platforms and technology such as 3D printing I usually prefer to work with gold. I’m also currently exploring producing in Titanium, which presents its own set of unique challenges.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TW : At the crack of dawn, when it is quiet and serene, I feel the most creative. Fresh in mind and in nature, especially my garden, is where I feel most at ease.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TW : I prefer to focus more on the underlying theme or emotion behind the design and then design the piece around it.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TW : Designing gives me a sense of freedom as there are virtually no limits to the imagination and being able to bring my thoughts and feelings to realization brings me great happiness.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TW : I feel a great sense of achievement when my designs are realized. It is almost as if I am welcoming them into the world.
DI: What makes a design successful?
TW : I think a design is successful when it manages to convey the message or emotion, that the designer intended, to everyday people.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TW : I usually consider the meaning behind the design first and foremost.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TW : I feel that designers should help society to broaden their views and help others think outside of the norm. Design is not always immediately apparent, and it is not always just on the surface.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TW : I think design is getting more widespread, even in everyday objects. I see design being used in the future to send messages and convey feelings as a form of silent communication.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
TW : The A’Design Award 2018-2019 at Italy is actually my first exhibition. I haven’t really given any thought to my next exhibition yet.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TW : I gain inspiration from everything around me that I see. Even everyday things such as textiles, nature, structures. Usually inspiration strikes me when I carefully consider something that I look at, and then out comes the sketch book and I just let my ideas and emotions flow.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
TW : I would describe my design style as being artistic. I feel that using my abilities in drawing allows my creativity to flow best and that’s just what works for me. My designs often end up organic-looking due to this approach.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
TW : I live in Malaysia and our cultures definitely have an influence on my designs. As Malaysia is multi-cultural, it broadens my perspective and that’s always a good thing. I don’t really feel that there are any cons.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TW : I work and collaborate closely with the different trades of jewellery such as stone dealers, gemmologists and jewellers. Then coordinate and follow-up on the manufacturing process to ensure that the jewellery corresponds as closely as possible to the original design.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TW : While I feel that what makes a good designer is subjective, it is important to have a very close understanding of expectations between the company and designer’s personal style.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TW : When I gain inspiration, I put it down in my sketch book. After that I spend some time thinking about the inspiration and further refining it. Then I create the design in 3D and tweak the design to make it more suitable to realize.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TW : I have so many! If I were to choose, a beautiful wood engraving wall art piece that was hand carved, a bone china tea set, a set of carved koi fish sculptures, teak wood sculptures, mostly organic shapes and designs.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
TW : My day starts early, as I like to tend to my garden. Hearing the sounds of nature in the morning really makes me feel alive. I usually design during this time. In the afternoon I usually meet clients, oversee production and source materials and stones.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TW : I would say it is good to work for different companies to have much wider exposure and experience. Most importantly is to never stop designing for yourself whenever you can.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TW : Being able to design whatever you want is both a positive and negative. I sometimes wish I could produce exactly what I designed but it is sometimes just either not feasible, economically or physically. Other than that, because I feel that being a designer is my calling, it’s all good.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
TW : My main guiding rule is to always design with my feelings and emotions.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TW : I feel it is important to have all the skills from traditional to modern, for example, hand drawing and making with hand tools, designing in 3D and so on.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TW : I carry around a sketch book at all times, as you never know when inspiration strikes. The next most important tool are my eyes, always observe and contemplate. After that I prefer using Matrix on the computer to further refine and render designs.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TW : In this respect it is not too difficult for me as I am most creative in the mornings, therefore I schedule all my appointments with clients, workshops, dealers in the afternoon.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TW : Typically for smaller pieces or less intricate designs, it takes half a day. More involved designs can take a week or more. My Tribute Wau took about a month from conception to design, and more up to realization.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TW : I am often asked how I come up with my designs and it is actually difficult to answer as it seems to just come entirely from my thoughts and my hands just follow the thoughts.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
TW : Working as a designer in a jewellery manufacturer. It exposed me to the full production process and got me interested in producing my own jewellery.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
TW : My clients are usually everyday people, whom I deal with directly. Some are jewellery manufacturers or retail brands that are seeking unique designs.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TW : I love designing artistic pieces, I think mainly because I have been drawn to the pencil and brush since I was very young.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TW : It is my wish to present my designs to a more global audience and I’m also looking to create a more accessible range of designs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TW : Most of the time my designs are my own, but I often receive insights and feedback from my husband.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TW : I am currently working on a range of designs that relate to social and society. They carry a more serious message which I hope will come across and influence others.
DI: How can people contact you?
TW : I can be contacted through my email at tina.w@tinawinness.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
TW : I think we’ve covered a lot!