We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Gregory Simonov ("GS").
Gregory Simonov, inspired by visual arts and classical music, founded G&D Unique Designs in 2016. He designs and handcrafts each jewelry piece in-house, blending artistic expression with craftsmanship. The brand offers jewelry for various occasions including cocktail events, weddings, and formal evenings. Customers often mention receiving compliments while wearing his pieces, which encourages Gregory to continue creating. G&D Unique Designs reflects a personal and focused approach to jewelry making, with attention to quality and detail in every item. The company remains committed to original design, offering thoughtfully made jewelry that fits a range of styles and moments.
Gregory Simonov Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Gregory Simonov.
Gregory Simonov Design - The Diamond Lace Jewelry Set
Gregory Simonov Design - Golden Sunflower Ring
Designer Interview of Gregory Simonov:
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?
GS : Since childhood, I’ve played the violin and classical percussion instruments, and as a teenager, I began creating my own electronic music. Later in life, I felt the need to express my imagination through a physical art form, which led me to explore jewelry making. I taught myself the craft, and that’s when I created my first jewelry pieces.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
GS : I began with a small home-based jewelry studio, which eventually grew into a fully integrated jewelry design and production brand.
DI: What is "design" for you?
GS : To me, “design” is a storytelling without words. It’s a translation of vision into form, an emotional and visual language that speaks directly to the heart.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
GS : I’m most drawn to designing pieces where patterns, stones, and forms blend into a harmonious composition. I love it when each element enhances the others, where texture, shape, and material come together to create balance and rhythm. That’s where beauty becomes timeless.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
GS : My favorite design is always the next one — the one that hasn’t yet revealed itself. But if I had to choose from my existing work, I’d say Diamond Lace Collection. It captures the essence of what I strive for: elegance, intricacy, and a sense of timeless harmony between structure, ornament, and the delicate sparkle of diamonds.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
GS : The first thing I designed for the company was the “Opera” ring, which is a fully hand-engraved ring, centered with a concave-cut citrine and embellished with pink rubies.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
GS : Gold is my favorite material. It’s very malleable and fun to work with. For the CAD platform, I use Matrix Gold.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
GS : I find inspiration by immersing myself in nature, whether it’s the mountains or the oceanside, as well as through cultural experiences like concerts, museums, and theater visits. Spending time in these serene and beautiful environments helps me recharge and fuels my creativity when designing new pieces.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
GS : During the design process, I focus primarily on the harmony and proportion between form, function, and emotion. I pay close attention to how the design serves its purpose while maintaining aesthetic balance. The user experience is also central to my approach—I strive to create pieces that not only look beautiful but are also comfortable to wear.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
GS : When I design, I feel a mix of focus, curiosity, and joy. It’s exciting to see an idea grow from a simple thought into something real and meaningful. I also feel a sense of responsibility, knowing that the final piece should connect with people. Overall, it’s a very rewarding and inspiring experience.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
GS : When my designs are realized, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment and gratitude. It’s incredibly rewarding to see something that started as an idea take shape and connect with others in the real world.
DI: What makes a design successful?
GS : A design is successful when it not only looks beautiful but also serves its purpose effectively and resonates with people.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
GS : When judging a design, I first consider its balance of aesthetics and function. In jewelry, this means not just visual beauty and uniqueness, but also wearability and emotional connection. A great design speaks to both the eye and the heart.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
GS : As designers, we have a responsibility to create solutions that are both beautiful and sustainable. Our work should improve lives, be socially responsible, and minimize environmental impact, helping to build a better future.
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?
GS : My design style blends intricate patterns and ornamental elements with a more contemporary approach. Some of my pieces focus on traditional decorative designs, while others embrace modern, minimalist aesthetics. I’m drawn to this balance because it allows me to explore both timeless beauty and fresh, innovative expressions.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
GS : My design process starts with defining the overall concept. Once I have a clear vision, I move on to sketching ideas by hand, followed by creating 3D models. Then I prepare it for casting, and finally finish the jewelry creation by following benchwork.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
GS : My advice to young designers is to stay curious, be patient with your growth, and trust your creative voice. Keep learning from both tradition and innovation, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Most importantly, stay true to your own style—authenticity is what sets your work apart.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
GS : The positive side of being a designer is that you have an opportunity to express your imagination. The negative aspect of it is that you constantly need to innovate to meet the fast-changing demand.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
GS : My golden rule in design is to always stay true to the concept while balancing beauty and function.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
GS : A good designer needs a mix of creativity, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. It’s also important to have strong visualization abilities, technical knowledge, and a good understanding of materials and production.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
GS : My imagination, sketching, and 3D modeling are my most essential tools in design creation.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
GS : I manage my time by first creating and visualizing the form clearly in my mind, refining it until the concept feels complete. Once I have a strong idea, I move to 3D modeling, which helps streamline the rest of the process and keep things efficient.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
GS : Each project is different. Some designs can be created in just a few hours, while others take weeks and require many adjustments, depending on their complexity.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
GS : I strive to offer a wide range of products that accommodate different age groups, aiming to create designs that are both aesthetically appealing and practical for everyday wear, as well as for special occasions. My goal is to make pieces that are not only visually striking but also accessible and meaningful to a broad audience.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
GS : Looking ahead, I plan to continue developing unique collections of a wider range of styles that blend artistic expression with contemporary design.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
GS : I don’t have a team. The whole process, starting from the design and finishing with the manufacturing of the final piece, is done by me.
DI: How can people contact you?
GS : I can be contacted through my email, which is: gregory@gnduniquedesigns.com