Collaboration
About twice a year, we get very excited to introduce new designs for our catalogue and website. It is part of a long process; taking the spark of an idea all the way to making it available on our website for our customers to purchase. Much of what takes place along the way is design collaboration.
Often, an idea starts with the customer, who says, “Do you have any…?” And sometimes we realize we probably should! From there, we take the idea to our artists, accompanied by pictures, line drawings or even quick sketches to clarify and bridge the gaps we encounter in cross-cultural communication. At that point, the artist sets to work with his hammer and chisel. A few days later, we have three or four different versions to consider, much like artist proofs. We might love one of the proofs immediately, or we might use the proofs as stepping stones to make good ideas even better. Maybe we’ll suggest a 3-D element for a bird’s wing, or finer features on a face, or more bead detailing in a flower. Sometimes a design is terrific on its own, but for greater visual impact on a wall or in a grouping, we might want to offer it in a couple different sizes.
Always, always we do our best to ensure that the ideas flow equally in both directions. Respecting the artists as ARTISTS, we strive to maintain the integrity of their work, so that the brilliance of their talent and purity of their expression shines through. Responding to both the demands of the market and the tradition of the art form, a balance needs to be struck. It is found in collaboration.
