maria blondet Designer Interview

We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative maria blondet ("MB").

Designer Profile of maria blondet

Born to a family of artists, María Blondet cannot deny that she inherited her creativity and love for art from her mother, renowned sculptor, Carmen Blondet. Their affinity is evident in the use of metal, but their work contrast dramatically in scale –her mother makes monumental metal sculptures and María work on delicate pieces of jewelry. One uses corten steel and stainless steel and she use silver and gold. Another source of inspiration has been her grandfather, through his poetry and long after he passed away. If he had only known... A civil engineer with a lifelong passion for music and the arts, he published 12 poetry books exploring the mystery of life. His poems, read in context, relate to various aspects of the universe, of our existence, of the world. But when you single out words or verses, they take on a different meaning for each person, even reminding you of an individual experience or loved one. María want her pieces to have that effect on the people who buys them...who give them...who wear them. That's why some of her jewelry collection is inspired in his poetry and some pieces include his verses in Spanish. Pieces that are full of texture, color and contrast that she gets from her surroundings. Living in a tropical island gives María the opportunity to use all the senses and make them a part of her pieces. Great feelings that are transmitted when you are exposed to her work. Each piece of jewelry is totally handmade by her with great love in her workshop in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she live with her two kids, surrounded by family and the beauty of the tropics.

maria blondet Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by maria blondet.

Designer Interview of maria blondet:

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?

MB : I come from a family of artist and in my life art and music have always been present. My mother is a renown sculpture, her sister a painter, my grandfather played guitar, violin, piano and was President of the Festival Casals for 18 years and we visited him in the theater around and were around the musicians. At the age of 7, I painted a Christmas scene that was chosen to represent Puerto Rico and then the it was chosen to represent a campaign in The United States and was invited to Washington to the White House and met many people from the politics and art as well. As this first experiences from childhood, many others have come and make what I am now.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

MB : My company is a design and make jewelry studio. Every piece is designed and delicately crafted by me. I like to keep the warmth of uniqueness and no two pieces are the same.

DI: What is "design" for you?

MB : Design is one of the elements that give structure to the world. Everything that surrounds us was designed by someone. Design is essential in this world.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

MB : Since I am in the jewelry line, I have to say that I love to design rings. They can be little sculptures.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

MB : I don't have a "most favorite" design, but a really love a design that no matter where you put it, it always work.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

MB : While I was saving money to get my jewelry tools, equipment and materials to make jewelry I work as graphic designer. At that time I was designing logotypes, and catalogs for different companies.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

MB : I love to work with Argentium Silver, its property to retard tarnish is great. I like to construct the pieces rather than casting them. I get to see the transformation step by step and make changes as I like.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

MB : I feel most creative when I have may space to work by myself. I don't like distraction.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

MB : I focus on the weight and shape of the piece to make it comfortable to the wearer.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

MB : Fenomenal. Something that can't be described with words. I am fortunate to be a designer and have the experience to share that feeling with others through my work.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

MB : It is wonderful the feeling of a finished design. And that does not end there, the feeling you get when other like your creation is ever greater.

DI: What makes a design successful?

MB : Harmony, balance, a piece that evokes a pleasant feeling and does not disturbs your emotions in a negative way is a great design.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

MB : If something makes you uncomfortable, does not work, is not a good design. As simple as that.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

MB : As designers we are responsible to keep harmony and balance, to make things work and be functional. All that keeping in mind the materials we are using to be caring with the environment and to protect the nature that surrounds us.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

MB : The design fiel is evolving really fast as technology develops. The future has no limits but we have to be conscious and design respecting the world.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

MB : My last big exhibition was last year but I have two places that are constantly exhibiting my latest pieces.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

MB : I get a lot of inspiration from nature. I like to give my pieces a variety of textures coarse ones, softer ones and smooth. You can see the shine of the sun is the highly shinny parts and the roughness of the sand in other parts. Those contrast give the piece a warmth feeling like the one you get in this tropical island (Puerto Rico).

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?

MB : My clients are people who appreciate art, architects, designers, people who wants to have something different so, I don't design my jewelry around trends. I like to keep my work timeless.

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?

MB : Born and raised in Puerto Rico, that is a tropical island, water is around us. From the Rain Forest to the coast you are always around water and textures. Texture from the sand, leaves, tress, waves, rain drops, etc. My work is for sure influenced by that.

DI: How do you work with companies?

MB : Sometimes I get special requests from companies to do a special pieces for them.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

MB : Companies should evaluate and make a research of what designer they will hire. It must be a designer that goes along with their believes. That way a company will let the designer do his/her job and will be pleased it the results.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

MB : I love to construct my pieces of jewelry from sheets of different gauges of silver or gold rather than casting. That way I can see the transformation step by step and make the changes that need to be done for the piece to be finished.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

MB : A sculpture of my mother, a chair, a floor lamp, my bed, a set of wine glasses that makes everything taste great. These and many other items, they all work together and make my place home.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

MB : I think about new ideas every day even if I am out of the studio and with my family. A designer is always thinking in way to solve a specific task in a piece. A designer does not have a 9-5 job, a designer concludes a days work depending on the muse and mood. In a non creative day, I try implement the finishes to pieces or cut shapes of pieces that I planed already but are not done.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

MB : I would suggest to young designers to follow their steps one at a time. Enjoy and share the triumphs of fellow designers, NEVER put them down. Your success is about what you are doing, your efforts, focus on it and you will succeed.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

MB : The good thing about being a designer would be that you can create new ideas and make those real. The negative part is that I myself am very demanding of what I want and do not like to have what everyone have.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

MB : Perfection.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MB : A good designer should be able to make a product that is esthetically pleasing and works perfectly.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

MB : sketchbook, paper, pencil, paper, marker, paper, metal, wires, paper, modeling clay, paper, tape, did I mention paper?

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

MB : I manage my time through joy. I don't think about time when I am in my studio.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

MB : It varies, depending on the muse, the piece, and the technique.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

MB : Where my inspiration comes from.

DI: What was your most important job experience?

MB : The one that I have now. I have my own jewelry studio where I create my own designs of jewelry.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

MB : My clients are people who appreciate art, architects, designers, people who wants to have something different and appreciate a one of a kind piece of jewelry.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

MB : I love designing and making rings. They become like small scale sculpture that you enjoy and take anywhere with you.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

MB : I am working now in a very large collection of pieces and have many challenges. I can not wait to complete it and show it to the world.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

MB : I work by myself. I get creative when I am alone and have no distraction. Is a date with the music the metals and I.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?