An Edinburgh Napier student is putting the fun back into fashion by designing her own range of interactive jewellery.
Katharina Vones, who just completed her PhD studies in the use of smart materials, has produced a range of pendants which alter in colour and appearance in response to changes in light, temperature and movement.
Vones took inspiration from natural formations such as moss and shells and has used biodegradable materials to make the pendants.
The result of her work is a unique and innovative take on jewellery design that is a step change away from the more traditional use of materials such as gold, silver and copper.
Vones hopes to bring the pieces to a commercial market, as well as giving others the means to create their own jewellery with the same materials.
She said: “My love for jewellery design stems from my time studying in Edinburgh and I’ve been using silicone in my designs since 2006. I have done work in the past with more traditional materials but I’ve always been fascinated with 3D design and the idea of adding a sense of playfulness to jewellery and the way it can be designed.”
“My recent PhD at Edinburgh Napier looked at using smart materials such as silicone in interactive craft and it was during this time that my HyperHive series was born. There are three main pieces, each of which react to the body and environment in different ways. Touch, light and movement are all important factors in determining how the pendants will appear – there really is a sense of magic when the pieces being to automatically change.”
The HyperHive series will be part of a number of exhibits featured at the Research Through Design conference at Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland between 22-24 March. The exhibition is featured by Edinburgh University (Royal College of Art) and Edinburgh Napier University and will bring together a number of design academics who will share their work.
