With
mesmerising shapes and forms, OFORM is an up and coming jewellery brand that is
certainly one to watch in the geometric-sphere world of minimalist jewellery
design. Based in the Netherlands, Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Naomi
Bijlefield has combined sleek geometrics with jewellery design that is
simultaneously compatible, adaptable and innovative. OFORM's collection of
acrylate rings, marble bracelets and stainless steel necklaces is a visual
symbol of unspoken languages. It is wonderfully elegant yet playful.
Here
I speak to Bijlefield about the use of geometry as an inspiration for her
label, the creative and technical process to create her unique designs and
future aspirations for OFORM.
www.oform.nl/en
1. What inspired
you to become a jewellery designer? Was there a moment when you decided this is
what you wanted to do?
I never
thought that I would be a jewellery designer because I studied The Design
Acadmey in Eindhoven in The Netherlands and I graduate as a product designer.
My jewelry are accidentally created. I was working on a design of a clock. I always
make scale models of the product that I'm designing because that's easier to
work. when I saw one of my scale models I thought " that could be a nice
ring" So for this is more a form-language that I translate in a jewelry
collection. Now I'm working on a tableware collection in the same
form-language. But I realy like the jewelry and the fashion site of the design
so I will continue with this aswell.
2. Your jewellery is inspired by geometry and forms, what is your
personal story regarding these themes?
Because I'm a product designer I designed these jewelry from a totally
different perspective. Also the way that I make it is 1 of the reasons why my
collection is so geometric. I designed it from a 2d perspective. So for me this
is a form-language what I translated in a jewelry.
3. Describe the creative and technical stages of
making your jewellery pieces. What is the hardest and most enjoyable part of
the process?
You have to be an all-rounder to
start on your own. It’s not only about designing. You have to think about
photography, graphic design, website, packaging, production process, finding
shops, fairs, expositions, press etc. I think all those aspects are the most
challenging for me.
The most
enjoyable part for me is designing new
products and photographing them of course. But I do also like it to organize
everything and it gives me a good feeling when everything is running
smoothly.
4. What is your favourite jewellery piece/s at the moment from your collection.
What do you wear all the time?
My new bracelets are now my favourite and No.2 is the one that I wear
the most.
5. If you're not making jewellery what do you do in your spare
time?
My work is my hobby so I'm always busy with my work. But next to the
jewellery I'm working on different design projects.
And in my
spare time I love to travel and to discover a nice city and also cooking is a
hobby of me. But I think that's the same thing as designing : )
6. Social media is still relatively a new tool to
promote brand awareness in the jewellery industry. How do you utilise this
platform to your advantage? What is your favourite platform?
Because I'm not a jewelry designer but more a product designer is social
media not that new for me. But I think it's is a vergy good tool to show your
designs. I prefer Instagram because you can also make some nice behind the
scene shots and it is a realy good way to find new contacts or shops.
7. Describe the person wearing your collection.
A women with a minimalistic but outspoken style.
8. Is there a jewellery designer or influential public figure you look up to the
most?
My inspiration comes from geometric and patterns
from the nature. Also the designer Ettorra Sottsass is an inspiration for
me.
9. If
there is a brand or a person you could collaborate a new collection with who
would it be and why?
That's hard
to tell because there are a lot of brands that I like for a collaboration. But
from The Netherlands that would be Mae Engeleer or Studio Ruig but also a brand
like Nike.
10. 5 words to
describe your jewellery.
geometric, elegance, minimalistic, simplicity
11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I hope that I will launch the collection 5.0 of OFORM. I hope to work/design together with designers or company's to create a line with them or for them. Now I have my place in the design world and I hope in 5 years that I also will have my spot in the fashion world.
