Omnia mutantur, nihil interit!
Everything changes, nothing perishes!

  • Intricate gold ring with spiral patterns on a black background
  • Intricate metal sculpture with flowing curves and green accents resembling leaves or vines on a black background.
  • Abstract bronze sculpture with flowing, organic shapes against a black background.
  • Intricate golden sculpture with swirling design on black background
  • Intricately designed translucent blue glass ring featuring ornate floral patterns and swirling details, set against a black background.
  • Close-up of a translucent blue-green comb jelly with elongated tentacles against a black background.
  • Blue plastic toy ring with spiral patterns
  • Artistic brooch depicting two red and gold fish intertwined on a black background.
  • Abstract digital artwork of a fantasy beetle with turquoise, translucent wings and a metallic body, against a black background.
  • Art Nouveau style brooch with an orchid design in gold and purple enamel, featuring swirling, intricate details against a black background.
  • Art Nouveau style hair comb with turquoise blue prongs and decorative gold floral and vine motifs on a black background.
  • Surreal sculpture of a human head with blue hair and elongated neck spikes on a black background.
  • A red abstract mask with gold accents and delicate ornamental features, set against a black background.
  • Abstract golden sculpture with intricate, swirling shapes and blue accents on a black background.

Integrating handcrafted processes into the design workflow has become increasingly difficult due to the rise of digitalization. This work focuses on the question of whether virtual reality (VR) can help bridge this gap.

An experiment explores whether VR tools such as the program “Medium” can act as "translators" to transfer handcrafted processes into the digital realm, closing the gap between analog craftsmanship and digital design. In this project Jewelry is digitally created in four steps, based on insights into machines as tools, craftsmanship, and the VR headset.

The goal is to test whether the imperfection of manual labor can be integrated into digital design, preserving the creativity and natural "value" of craftsmanship in the digital world.

A EXPERIMENT

The tools in the program were selected based on the real production process of jewelry. Depending on the type of jewelry and the experimental approach, there were strict rules and movement patterns that had to be followed. For example, only the tools that a goldsmith would use to process the material and were available in the program “medium” were permitted for the production of the rings.

exp 01
A RING

The aim is here to replicate the analog production process of a gold ring as realistically as possible. Only basic gold shapes may be used, and each individual gold shape must be positioned as a single piece.

  • Intricately designed gold ring with spiral and wave patterns
  • Ornate golden ring with intricate patterns against a black background.
  • Abstract golden sculpture with layered, flowing design on a black background.
  • Intricate copper wire sculpture with green gemstones resembling a leaf, placed against a black background.
  • Artistic metal sculpture with intricate swirling designs, metallic finish, on a black background.

- exp 02 -
A BANGLE

The approach still closely follows real production processes, but this time the focus is on the creation of glass sculptures. New tools, such as "rotation" and the "inflate tool" from the tool palette, are now introduced. Only basic glass shapes may be used.

  • Blue glass art piece with ridged texture on black background
  • Twisted blue inflatable pool float with a swirl pattern on a black background.
  • A close-up view of a blue and white translucent object with curved, spike-like protrusions, resembling a fossil or abstract art piece, against a black background.
  • Transparent blue ring with textured surface on black background
  • Intricate blue glass sculpture with swirling and floral designs on a black background.
  • Colorful artistic representation of a jellyfish on a black background

- exp 03 -
A HAIRPIN

Now, the tools and basic shapes from EXP01 and EXP02 may be used. Additionally, all built-in basic shapes of the program can be utilized alongside the existing ones from EXP01 and EXP02. They must still be positioned as single pieces. The production processes begin to fade into the background, and functions such as copying and other actions exclusive to the digital world are now permitted.

  • Abstract blue and brown sculpture resembling a fantasy creature with antennae and flowing fabric-like elements.
  • Artistic brooch of two koi fish in red and gold, intertwined in an elegant design on a black background.
  • Art Nouveau hair comb with blue prongs and intricate gold floral design on black background.
  • Surreal sculpture of a head with blue hair and elongated neck
  • Intricate gold and purple floral brooch with swirling metalwork on a black background.

- exp 04 -
A MASK

All tools, shapes, and features of the program "Medium" may be used. There is no longer a need to adhere to production processes—everything is allowed. An aesthetic orientation towards Art Nouveau is encouraged but not mandatory.

  • Abstract gold metallic sculpture with intricate curves, horns, and blue feather-like details on a black background.
  • A blue glass face adorned with intricate golden swirls and a large horn on top.
  • Artistic red mask with gold accents on a dark background.
  • Abstract sculpture with intricate gold and red elements
Sketch of objects labeled 'EXP 2' including an aerodynamic shape and a circular item on paper.
Hand-drawn sketches of ring designs with notes on materials like metal and glass. Some rings feature elaborate textures and others have simpler designs.
Pencil sketch of an elegant female profile with stylized hair and ornate collar, showing artistic notes in the background.
Sketch of two abstract figures with flowing lines and exaggerated shapes, possibly depicting people or dresses, in black ink on white paper.
Pencil sketch of an ornate dagger with swirling patterns and leaf motifs.
Pencil sketch of two koi fish swimming in a circular motion with flowing tails and detailed scales. Notes indicate "Gold Snapper" and "Gracious Snapper."
Pencil sketches of four different rings with intricate patterns and designs on white paper.
Pencil sketches of butterflies on paper
Sketch of two potted plants with vines on paper
Black and white sketch of a detailed leaf and abstract shapes with handwritten notes and the word "Photoshop" partially visible.
Pencil sketches of dragon wings
Abstract pencil sketches with swirls and spirals on a white background