We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mehragin Rahmati ("MR").
Mehragin Rahmati`s journey into the world of art began in her early years, where she developed a profound passion for painting and design. At the mere sight of a pencil, her hands would eagerly embark on sketching on any available surface. Throughout her childhood, she dedicated herself to painting classes, embracing the intricacies of classical techniques. As she progresses into adulthood, she pursued higher education in graphic design and clinical psychology at university, later delving into the realm of jewelry design. Artistry has remained a steadfast companion throughout her life, defining her most cherished moments. She could find a bright idea for jewelry design or a painting in anything she saw. Her love for creating is undeniable, as each stroke of her brush or design stroke brings her immense joy. Beyond her creative endeavors, she finds solace in the world of literature, indulging in exploration of art and design through the pages of books, while also nurturing her passion for interior design as a beloved pastime. The art she creates always has a story to tell. She strives to express her sense of beauty through designing a beautiful piece of jewelry, just as sometimes she does by creating a beautiful painting. She believes that a piece of jewelry should be designed in a way that remains beautiful and captivating after many years, embodying the true essence of art, remaining timeless. She created the brand “Mergin”, where all the jewelry pieces are bespoke designed. Mergin jewels are not only beautiful, unique and of high quality, but also each piece of jewelry narrates a story or holds a concept of glamour within itself.
Mehragin Rahmati Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mehragin Rahmati.
Mehragin Rahmati Design - Spring Dance Multifunctional Necklace
Mehragin Rahmati Design - Queen of Lake Multifunctional Ring
Designer Interview of Mehragin Rahmati:
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 : Since childhood, painting has been my true passion. My happiness and sorrow found expression through my art, no matter the time or place. I even painted gifts for my friends. My family was my greatest supporter—as a child, I covered every surface in the house with my paintings, yet they never discouraged me. Instead, they saw the talent in me. This passion led me to explore painting through various techniques, from colored pencils to oil paints. For years, I trained under the guidance of a renowned teacher. Later, I pursued graphic design in university, then continued my education in clinical psychology, and later studied jewelry design. While I’ve enjoyed every artistic field, painting has always remained my deepest love. When I paint, draw or design, I lose all sense of time. And through it all, my family has been my unwavering support.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MR : My brand, Mergin, was founded in Dubai in 2020 and features bespoke jewelry born from unique designs that blend rare, high-quality gemstones with a poetic palette of ethereal colors. Since its inception, my designs have won sixteen international awards. Each piece tells a story, reflecting my belief that jewelry should be timeless, captivating, and a true embodiment of art. Mergin strives to pioneer a new wave of originality in jewelry design, conveying not only aesthetic beauty but also meaningful messages rooted in social, environmental, or psychological themes.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MR : Design is a gift—it mixes art and care. When designers create, they put part of themselves into their work. It’s not just a product—it’s a way of making life more beautiful, and make the world a better place to live in.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MR : Considering that I am a jewelry designer, I like to design unique and innovative pieces, holding a meaningful concept inside. While being distinctive creations, I like my design to hold aesthetic and visual beauty. A fine design is timeless and becomes more valuable in the passage of time.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MR : My favorite design is Spring Dance, which won the Platinum Prize. While I love all my work, this piece is deeply personal. The idea came from a psychological concept and a story I invented, and every detail had to be perfect. I faced setbacks and technical obstacles—but these struggles taught me resilience. I kept pushing until my vision came to life. Spring Dance taught me that perseverance pays off. What makes Spring Dance special isn’t just its beauty—it’s how versatile it is. I didn’t want it to be a masterpiece hidden away for special events. Instead, I aimed for something unique, wearable, and practical for everyday life. That’s why I designed it to transform into six different styles, defying traditional jewelry norms
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MR : I am deeply drawn to white gold. Among gemstones, my favorites are pearl, Paraiba tourmaline, and opal. I also adore diamonds, and heart-shaped diamonds are my favorite. I am also fascinated by blue titanium. Hand sketching inspires me far more than digital tools—anything involving painting with colors, pencils, and brushes energizes my creativity. As a painter, working with pencils and brushes truly cheers me up. I prefer handmade manufacturing and am skilled in the artistic technique of wax for creating jewelry. Enameling is another favorite of mine, though I approach it unconventionally. I reinvent it in a modern, fresh style, which I find utterly delightful.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MR : Whether I'm reading a new story, discovering a psychological idea, spending time in nature, or admiring a unique gemstone - each experience fuels my creativity.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MR : When designing, I consider many aspects—aesthetics, color harmony, hidden stories, and fine details. I pay attention to every angle of my jewelry because I want it to look perfect from every perspective. I design with timelessness in mind, ensuring my jewelry becomes only more valuable with time.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MR : When I design, pure joy fills me. From the very first moment, I can see the finished piece in my mind. Design always brings me happiness - playing with colors and shapes is my deepest passion. But when a meaningful message or captivating story can shine through my creation, that's when the process becomes truly special.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MR : When my designs are realized, I feel truly happy. It’s not just about creating something beautiful—it’s also about sharing the story behind it. Explaining the inspiration and process that shaped each piece adds deeper meaning to my work.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MR : A great design starts with a fresh idea and strong execution. For it to work well, it needs careful planning and research related to the production techniques and methods, as well as material quality. Designer must consider the process of production while working on the design, so the design does not face practical problems during the manufacturing.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MR : The most important thing to me is the uniqueness of the design. I don’t approve of any kind of imitation. A design should be based on an idea or concept—that’s essential. Aesthetics matter just as much, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the design has to look complex. I also care deeply about color harmony and high quality of the material. And above all, I want the final piece to be comfortable to wear.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MR : A designer can reflect social issues through their work, which makes them responsible to society. They might even help solve these issues through their creative expression. For instance, in one of my collections, I aimed to raise awareness about environmental conservation.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MR : AI will undoubtedly transform design and completely change the game. I hope designers use AI solely as a tool to enhance their workflow, not as a replacement for creativity. Art’s beautiful soul risks being eroded by technology and artificial intelligence if we fail to preserve our mindful approach. AI cannot pour genuine meaning into design; ideas born from the human soul carry a depth and resonance that AI-generated work simply cannot replicate.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MR : My last exhibition was held in Paris, France, at the Precious Room. Most likely, the upcoming exhibition will be at the A’ Design Gala Night in Milan.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MR : A single gemstone’s glow, the way light moves through an ancient monument, nature’s endless palette—these are where my designs begin. To create true art, a designer must understand color’s language—how hues and forms converse and how they dance together.
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 create jewelry that’s both practical and meaningful. Having a concept is essential for me, while designing a multifunctional structure is my signature to achieve practical features of the design. Every piece is made to be looked at from every angle, so I carefully check every detail. I use unique gemstones—rare and full of personality—to make each design stand out. My aim is to apply traces of modern design to my classically designed pieces.
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 am from Iran, a country that is very rich in cultural heritage with breath-taking monuments and natural landscapes. Its artistic background and rich literature provides me with a wide range of ideas to create new designs. If looked closely, the footprint of my homeland culture is obvious, and in the future it will be seen too. I currently live in Dubai, a cosmopolitan which is one of the most progressed places in the world with its unique beauty and charm . That allows me to have the opportunity of meeting and knowing different cultures and that would influence my design too.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MR : They may review their work experience, background, and portfolio to evaluate their design capabilities. It’s not just about the design itself—the final outcome must also be examined to assess the manufacturing process.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MR : Inspiration strikes anywhere - a beautiful stone, a powerful story, a psychological concept, an ancient monument, a painting’s colors, or a moment in nature. These all can spark a jewelry design. The instant the idea comes, I see the complete piece in my mind: the setting, shapes, and gemstones perfectly assembled. From that first flash of inspiration, every detail is already alive in my imagination. The design is mainly done using classic hand-drawn methods, and sometimes, it is done with Procreate software. Then, depending on the design, I decide whether it should be hand-made or a 3D version. Finally, it moves into the manufacturing stages
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MR : They must start by mastering classic design fundamentals. To stay relevant and updated, they should immerse themselves in workshops and the continuous learning of new skills. Studying and analyzing grandmasters’ masterpieces becomes essential. This should be done while staying aware that they need to avoid imitating ideas and designs. Above all, they must embrace that relentless effort drives success—moments of despair are always temporary.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MR : My golden rule is this: study, learn, practice, and never give up in the face of difficulty.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MR : To master classic design fundamentals—especially in jewelry design—learning composition, perspective, color harmony, and mastering the color palette is vital.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MR : My toolbox consists of colored pencils, gouache, oil paints, a black pencil for drawing, and my iPad. I am deeply passionate about working with a brush and pencils, and nothing can improve my spirit more than combining the colors and creating forms with my hands.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MR : Design is a time-consuming process, but I enjoy every second of it, and I don’t feel the passing of time while I’m busy designing. I wake up very early in the morning, and my day is fully planned the day before so I can follow my schedule in the best possible way. I set priorities to ensure I have enough time for the most important tasks. If any extra time is left, I use it to fulfill other tasks during the day.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MR : It all depends on the design itself. Designing a single ring is very different from designing a complete set of jewelry. It also depends on the design tool; classic design is very different from using software. So, there is no exact answer to this question in the field of jewelry design.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MR : I am mainly asked about the inspiring idea or the design background. I am also asked for information about the gemstones I use in my jewelry, because I usually adorn my pieces with unique, distinct gemstones.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MR : As a jewelry designer, being involved in the manufacturing process helps me improve my design workflow. Design is not only about creating the initial version but also about being actively involved in the production stage, which is vital. One of my most wonderful design experiences emerged during my work on Spring Dance, a piece awarded the Platinum Prize. It is distinct in both design and manufacturing, and the process provided me with invaluable experience.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MR : Those designs that emerge fully from my own thoughts, carry a profound idea or story. Sometimes, a design begins with a unique stone that captivates me with its extraordinary beauty, and the work is based entirely on the gemstone itself. I am always filled with joy to see the result of my passion as a jewelry designer.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MR : I want to create a series of designs inspired by my Persian heritage – but with my own fresh style. Many designers use our culture’s history and monuments, but I want to show it in a new way that’s truly mine. I also plan to make another series based on psychological ideas. Both will have my unique artistic vision – connecting culture and emotions through jewelry design.
DI: How can people contact you?
MR : They can reach me via email or WhatsApp, which are available on my Instagram page (mergin_co).
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MR : When choosing jewelry, seek pieces that carry meaning as richly as they carry gemstones. The true value lies not in materials alone, but in designs that grow more beautiful with time. My creations are born from this belief: every form and each stone should whisper a story. Finally, I would like to thank the A' Design Award and the jury for awarding me the Platinum and Silver Prizes. I am deeply grateful and hope to contribute more. Being selected as a winner for two of my designs is profoundly meaningful to me.