Accessory design is a branch of fashion design that focuses on the creation and production of fashion accessories such as jewelry, bags, shoes, and other small leather goods. There are several different streams within accessory design, each with its own set of skills, techniques, and styles. Here are some of the most common streams in accessory design:
Jewelry Design: Jewelry design involves the creation of a wide range of jewelry items such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. Jewelry designers use a variety of materials such as gold, silver, gems, and beads to create unique and appealing pieces. They must have a good understanding of the properties of different materials and how to manipulate them to create different styles and textures.
Footwear Design: Footwear design involves the creation of shoes and other types of footwear. Footwear designers must have a good understanding of the anatomy of the foot and how different materials interact with the foot to create a comfortable and functional product. They must also be knowledgeable about different shoe styles, patterns, and construction techniques.
Leather Goods Design: Leather goods design involves the creation of bags, wallets, belts, and other small leather goods. Leather goods designers must have a good understanding of leather, its properties, and how to manipulate it to create different textures and shapes. They must also be knowledgeable about different types of bags, such as shoulder bags, tote bags, and clutch bags, and the best materials and techniques to use to create each type of bag.
Eyewear Design: Eyewear design involves the creation of glasses, sunglasses, and other types of eyewear. Eyewear designers must have a good understanding of the anatomy of the eye, the properties of different materials, and how to manipulate these materials to create different styles and shapes. They must also be knowledgeable about different types of lenses, such as prescription lenses and polarized lenses, and how to create eyewear that is both functional and aesthetically appealing.
Timepiece Design: Timepiece design involves the creation of watches and other types of timepieces. Timepiece designers must have a good understanding of the mechanics of timepieces, the properties of different materials, and how to manipulate these materials to create different styles and shapes. They must also be knowledgeable about different types of watches, such as quartz watches and mechanical watches, and the best materials and techniques to use to create each type of watch.
Each stream of accessory design requires a different set of skills and techniques, and designers often specialize in one or two streams. However, many designers have a broad understanding of all streams of accessory design, as well as an understanding of fashion design and the fashion industry more broadly.
In conclusion, accessory design is a diverse and creative field that encompasses a wide range of streams, each with its own set of skills and techniques. Whether you are interested in jewelry design, footwear design, leather goods design, eyewear design, or timepiece design, a career in accessory design offers the opportunity to express your creativity and bring your designs to life.
