Introduction to Rhino 3D is a new jewellery course that helps designers develop their design and computer skills through the use of a free form surfacing tool set. Meet Anna Loginova, the instructor for this industry standard software.
What is your current career? I have worked in the jewellery industry for over 13 years doing hands-on bench Work, 3D CAD design and 3D printed of jewellery. Now I’m excited to be teaching 3D CAD design as well as traditional hands-on jewellery techniques to students who are new to the trade.
How did you learn to use Rhino 3D? I was introduced to Rhino 3D CAD for jewellery as part of my course at OCAD University in Toronto. However, the in-depth learning and understanding of the software happened on the job at a jewellery manufacturing company in Toronto whose main focus was on 3D CAD design and 3D printing. I had unlimited access to the technology and Rhino/Matrix software, advanced training as well as instant feedback from gem setters, casters and polishers on how to improve the jewellery models for production.
What about this software excites you? What excites me about Rhino 3D software is its unique ability to create complex 3D organic forms on a 2D flat screen that later can be either 3D printed for manufacturing/production purposes or rendered in a highly realistic representation of the material the model will be made of for communication or e-commerce purposes.
Even if you are not using it for manufacturing, the precise nature of the software allows for accurate measurement and placement of the seats and prongs for the gemstones, making the stone setting process a little bit easier and faster; or to calculate the volume of the model to determine the weight of the jewellery item in gold or silver to estimate the cost of materials.
What is one of the coolest features of the software? Personally, I think that the coolest feature of the software is its ability for instant visualization of a design idea. It still takes time to construct a piece of jewellery in the software, but with the skills one can quickly “sketch” the 3D model, render it and make changes to it before committing to actually producing it in real life. And all this can happen anywhere without being tied to a studio space, as long as you have the software on a laptop and a mouse.
What would people be surprised to know about being a jeweller? How time consuming and labour intensive the craftsmanship is! I think it takes a lot of patience and composure to become a good goldsmith and/or jewellery designer.
What do you love about teaching? I love seeing the unique abilities and potential of each student. It always amazes me when students are given a new set of skills or techniques and how they interpret this information creatively and produces a truly unique design or a jewellery item.
What is your best piece advice for someone starting out in the industry? Jewellery making is a beautiful form of art and it has endless potential for creativity and expression. However, the learning curve to acquire the skill can be lengthy and not always easy or straight forward. My best advice is to keep practicing no matter what challenges one faces. Also try to enjoy the process of making and embrace the mistakes as they often lead to a better understanding of the craft.
