Design Inspirations Derived from Botanical Plants: Insights from Jewellery Design

Learning to see and understand Nature comes only after a careful and enthusiastic search for her minute and apparently insignificant productions. Studies thus made when translated in terms of design principles, concepts and mathematics suggest endless ideas and unfolding of natural laws. This paper looks at the principles of Nature’s creations that can be used in the design of jewellery. It discusses about certain principles observed, recorded and put into studio experiments in design of neck chains inspired from parts of plants such as flowers and leaves. The plants were chosen from the neighborhood. Certain design principles were taken from Nature, carefully analyzed and applied in the design of neck chains. In the process, certain commonly known ‘flower forms’ were studied, in their plan forms, sections, and details to understand the principles of design. In the conclusion the observations on the characteristics of flowers and leaves were made into constructive design experiences that were carried through the design process into a unique set of neck ornaments. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/besl.v11i2.7609 Built-environment: Sri Lanka Vol.11(2) 2015: 39-4