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Explore the education requirements, necessary skills, and job prospects for becoming a jewelry designer. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of this creative career path.
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Jewelry Designer Allie Simmons
Education Requirements • There are associate and bachelor's degree programs that teach the skills needed to be a jewelry designer. • Shorter certificate or diploma programs are also available- programs through vocational schools. Foundation degrees could include: jewelry, jewelry design, designed metalwork and jewelry or jewelry and metal design. • After degree or certificate achieved (time varied), 1-2 years of on-the-job training required. • College options: Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, Liberty University, Stanford-Brown, Temple University, University of Oregon, Northern Arizona University, University of Michigan, The University of Texas.
Required Skill • There are no set requirements for becoming a jewelry designer; however, job experience and skill can be more prominent than qualifications. • Skills to be a jewelry designer: creative and artistic ability, a knowledge of metals, gemstones and other materials, drawing and computer design skills, good hand-to-eye co-ordination, practical skills with tools and materials, accuracy and attention to detail, the ability to negotiate with buyers and suppliers, marketing skills and commercial awareness for self-employment.
Salary • Starting salaries can be around $16,000 a year. • Experienced designers can earn from around $20,000 to $50,000 annually. • Earnings can vary depending on how successful they are in selling their work. They often need additional income from another job to make a living, especially in the early stages of their career. • Regardless of the education designers have, they each have to start out in a lower position with lower pay and then work their way up to a higher pay.
Job Duties & Type of Work • As a designer in the jewelry industry, hours usually range from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. • You would usually work in a studio or workshop, which may be shared with other designers. You would also need to travel to attend trade fairs and exhibitions. • You could produce designs for mass production, or for pieces to be made individually or in small numbers. You could: produce designs to meet the requirements of a client, produce designs which are then made by other staff, designing and making jewelry, use a variety of crafts to make jewelry, including, mounting, setting and polishing.
Job Benefits and Drawbacks • Benefits may include: You can get a job without a college degree Allows you to express yourself creatively Can learn the trade through on-the-job training Advances in technology make jewelry design easier Might be opportunities for self-employment • Drawbacks: Poor job outlook (expected five percent decrease in jobs between 2010 and 2020) Your creativity might be restricted in your attempt to meet client demands Self-employed designers will face fierce competition Demand for jewelry fluctuates with the state of the economy