We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Chiaki Miyauchi ("CM").
After earning an appraisal qualification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA-GG), she studied jewelry design in Japan and the West. After working with long-established Jewelry manufacturers and wholesalers, as well as being in charge of an Italian brand, she established her own collection called TACARA. For treasures of the Earth, designing beautiful, bespoke and comfortable jewelry for people, and performing environmentally sustainable activities through this process is her life's purpose. She strongly believes in a mutual symbiosis between our sustainable use of the earth's gems to produce beautiful artwork in return for replanting and new growth.
Chiaki Miyauchi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Chiaki Miyauchi.
Chiaki Miyauchi Design - Rod of Asclepius Lapel Pin
Chiaki Miyauchi Design - Tooth Fairy Earrings
Chiaki Miyauchi Design - Angelic Blessing Earrings
Designer Interview of Chiaki Miyauchi:
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?
CM : I am a jewelry designer. When I attracted the beauty of minerals, I got some inspiration of designing and followed my passion to get to know the gem and jewelry world.
DI: What is "design" for you?
CM : Joy and Channeling. Hearing and receiving the messages from nature, and tracing the essence of its perfect beauty which already exists.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CM : Ankh motif jewelry
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CM : Gems and Gold /hand made
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
CM : When I am in relaxing in nature or midnight in silence.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CM : If it is comfortable and easy enough for people to wear, and beautiful enough to make people more beautiful and attractive.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CM : Feeling peaceful and content, joy and passion.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CM : OK I got it. (Okay this is the design which wanted to come up to this world)
DI: What makes a design successful?
CM : When someone like my jewelry and feel happy with it in their life.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CM : Bad! This is because, it is so easy for me to improve more about my designing. (just consider it and fix it)
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CM : Design is emotional and has power to lead people toward anywhere good or bad without any words. Realizing what you want to create from your inside is very important. Making not only the object but also all flow of the circulation related with the design is that designer’s responsibility.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CM : May 2018 in Hong Kong in last time. When the situation is ready.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CM : Answering all questions above is nature. (Sound, Color, Feeling, Scent)
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?
CM : I would like to make something which nobody has seen yet with combination tradition and modern in jewelry field. My main character is Earth (nature) feeling design and hidden spiritual message based on Asian nature worship.
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?
CM : I live in Kyoto, where is the most historical place in Japan. Good point of living Kyoto is always surrounded by the traditional beauty and can access with the people which involves in different traditional field.
DI: How do you work with companies?
CM : Contract, or Project base
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CM : When I focus on a customer or something I would like to make, I get some symbols about the person or situations. Sometimes shape, color, or designed item...etc. And I get some essence from the symbols and think how to make it happen to the reality.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CM : Jewelry, Bags, Fabrics, furniture, Ornament of Madonna, and Angels
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CM : Positive point: For some people, you are creation means much more than just designing. Negative point: Sometime cost or profit means much more than designing beautiful things.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CM : Following my first inspiration to the end. Don’t judge the design good or bad by myself which comes from the first inspiration even I feel a bit strange before showing it to customers. (In many case, my inspiration knows my customer's taste better than my mind)
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
CM : Communication. Required skill for each field.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CM : Where do you get an inspiration from?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
CM : Working and making experiences with world wide high-end jewelers.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CM : Custom order for jewelry. Because, I can focus on the specific person 100% to make her (him) happy to look better, feel better, withdraw her (his) hidden charm and character, by jewelry.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CM : I am making a small collections of concept jewelry.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CM : I design myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
CM : By email or SNS