We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative MA RUI ("MR").
It was not until Ray invented his own “Yin and Yang”, or dark and bright, carving method did the public realize that jade can also be finely sculpted as luxury pieces of jewelry. Ray, the founder of MASTER MA and jade jewelry sculptor, started his art design and sculpturing of most famous jade - Hetian Jade since 2004. Jade is loosely understood in China as the collective name for most precious stones and has long been considered as objects of pure decoration. Though jade carving constitutes an important part of Chinese arts and crafts, not many thought as Ray did to turn it into a piece of jewelry. To many, wearing carved jade with a string hang up either on their necks or wrists is for good meanings. But for Ray, jade is more than that. Unlike traditional jade craftsman’s old school style just featuring everyday objects as the way they naturally are, Ray gives jade the new meaning –making each piece of jade a unique and exquisite artwork that can be easily worn according to its luster and material. Ray makes his own unique jewelry design favors by combining western jewelry such as colored diamonds with Chinese jewelry like jade and porcelain. He also adds Chinese traditional elements into western jewelry design ideas, turning Chinese ink painting, jade carving and other means of expression, and the Chinese taste into western jewelry designs.
MA RUI Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by MA RUI.
Designer Interview of MA RUI:
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?
MR : Because I was born in an artist family, my father, my elders, brothers and sisters are engaged in art work. So when I was very young, I knew that I would become an art practitioner, and jewelry was one of my favorite directions, so I finally became a jewelry designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MR : My studio was founded in 2012. At first, as a hobby of mine, I didn't really put it in a very important position. Until my works got a lot of attention at the Basel Jewelry Show, I took jewelry design as a very important direction of my career. My studio is now dominated by high standards. All the designs are created by myself. There are ten people in my team.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MR : Designers have a very light concentration of knowledge expression, it is like poetry in language, it is the essence and refinement, so I always like to express what I want to say the most, condensed into a work.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MR : Every age has my favorite designer and style of work, so as I grow older and more experienced, I am more and more inclined to simple, but powerful and deep works.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MR : Every era, every region has its own culture. Standpoint and expression, so I like very fraternal, I like all good design, because it condenses human wisdom. Different wisdom and perception of the world, as well as emotional expression works, will have different charm.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MR : My first work was a magnolia necklace. Of course, he also let a lot of people know one of my works, which was invited to attend the Baseworld in Switzerland.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MR : I prefer 3D printing and the design of titanium metal. I think this may represent a direction of future development and trend.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MR : When I'm half asleep, I always have some different ideas.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MR : I am more concerned about whether the work has jumped out of the original logic of thinking to challenge some new combinations and expressions.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MR : I try to mix emotional and rational emotions.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MR : I will put it in place, because sometimes passion, creative design. When you look back at it for a while, you will find many of his problems.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MR : Constant practice, pushing down in the construction of pushing down the constant failure, and ultimately to success
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MR : It depends on whether it makes me feel interesting or not.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MR : Life is not what people want for everyone. But a good design will make you forget this annoyance for a short time. It will make you feel comfortable and everything goes smoothly.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MR : Design is actually innovation, creating things that are not available in the world. He will make the world and future of human fantasy come true as soon as possible.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MR : The last exhibition was Beijing jewelry exhibition. At the latest jewelry exhibition, I will be at the COUTURE SHOW in Las Vegas, United States.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MR : My inspiration comes from dreams. I often dream of unreasonable scenes, but I will imagine it and realize it.
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?
MR : I hope to be able to make future works with a sense of retro. The design method is to stand in the perspective of future people, look at the traditional content, and express it in the future way.
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?
MR : I mainly live in China. Chinese culture has thousands of years of history, so there is no doubt that it has a profound impact on my design and thinking. So far, I haven't come into contact with his bad points. It's all good for me.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MR : You can learn from it, but do not copy it.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MR : Simple, but rich in content
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MR : Most of my designs are about titanium and Hetian Jade. I hope more people can understand and know about the traditional Chinese Hetian Nephrite.