Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Jewelry Illustrator

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

DesignCreativeJewelryArt & IllustrationCAD

🎯 Role Definition

We are on the hunt for a visionary and technically skilled Jewelry Illustrator to join our dynamic creative team. In this pivotal role, you will be the bridge between initial concept and final product, transforming abstract ideas into stunning, tangible visuals. You will be responsible for creating everything from evocative hand sketches that capture the spirit of a collection to precise, production-ready 3D CAD models and breathtaking photorealistic renderings for marketing and sales. If you have a passion for fine jewelry, a keen eye for detail, and mastery of both traditional and digital illustration techniques, we want to see your portfolio.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Illustrator or CAD Technician
  • Graphic Designer with a focus on product visualization
  • Bench Jeweler with strong design and digital skills

Advancement To:

  • Senior Jewelry Designer
  • Lead CAD Designer / 3D Design Manager
  • Art Director for Jewelry

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Developer (Jewelry)
  • 3D Artist / Visualizer (for luxury goods)
  • Technical Designer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Translate conceptual ideas, design briefs, and rough sketches from the design team into detailed and aesthetically compelling illustrations.
  • Create highly detailed and technically accurate 2D technical drawings (orthographic projections) with precise measurements, stone settings, and material specifications for manufacturing.
  • Develop production-ready 3D models of intricate jewelry pieces using industry-standard CAD software like Rhino, MatrixGold, or ZBrush.
  • Generate stunning, photorealistic 3D renderings of jewelry pieces using software like Keyshot or V-Ray for marketing materials, client presentations, and e-commerce platforms.
  • Produce beautiful, free-hand gouache or watercolor paintings of jewelry for high-end presentation and archival purposes.
  • Create full-scale, dimensionally accurate side, top, and profile views for review by model makers and production teams.
  • Ensure all 3D models are properly engineered for casting, stone setting, and durability, considering aspects like wall thickness, prong integrity, and weight.
  • Collaborate closely with senior designers and product developers to refine designs and ensure technical feasibility throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Prepare and export STL files from CAD models, ensuring they are watertight and optimized for 3D printing and wax model creation.
  • Illustrate various stone cuts, metal textures, and finishing techniques with a high degree of realism in both 2D and 3D formats.
  • Develop and maintain a consistent visual style for all illustrations and renderings in line with the brand's aesthetic identity.
  • Revise and iterate on designs based on feedback from cross-functional teams, including merchandising, production, and marketing.
  • Create detailed specification sheets (spec sheets) that accompany technical drawings, calling out all materials, stone carat weights, sizes, and finishing instructions.
  • Visualize and render jewelry on models or busts to create lifestyle imagery for digital and print campaigns.
  • Develop colorways and stone variations for existing designs, creating compelling visual options for collection planning.
  • Animate simple 360-degree rotations or assembly sequences of jewelry pieces for enhanced digital presentation.
  • Work within established timelines to manage multiple projects simultaneously, from quick concept sketches to final production files.
  • Accurately calculate stone counts and approximate metal weights based on final CAD models to assist with costing.
  • Research and apply new techniques, software, and tools to continually elevate the quality and efficiency of the illustration process.
  • Create compelling visual narratives and mood boards through illustration to help guide the thematic direction of new collections.
  • Ensure all final files are meticulously organized and archived according to company standards for future reference and easy retrieval.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain and organize the digital library of all design files, CAD models, and rendered images for version control and team access.
  • Assist the marketing and social media teams by providing high-quality visual assets for campaigns, lookbooks, and website content.
  • Conduct research on current jewelry trends, innovative manufacturing techniques, and new software to inspire and improve design processes.
  • Participate actively in design review meetings, providing constructive feedback on the feasibility, aesthetic, and manufacturability of new concepts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Mastery of 3D modeling software specialized for jewelry, such as Rhinoceros (Rhino), MatrixGold, JewelCAD, or ZBrush.
  • High proficiency in rendering software to create photorealistic images, such as Keyshot, V-Ray, or Blender Cycles.
  • Expert-level command of the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop for digital painting/retouching and Illustrator for technical flats.
  • Exceptional traditional illustration skills, including hand-sketching, gouache/watercolor painting, and technical drafting.
  • A deep and practical understanding of jewelry construction, including various stone-setting techniques (pavé, prong, bezel, etc.), metal properties, and finishing processes.
  • Ability to create precise, multi-view technical drawings that can be interpreted directly by a model maker or manufacturer.
  • Knowledge of 3D printing/rapid prototyping processes and how to properly prepare STL files for them.
  • Strong understanding of gemology, including knowledge of stone cuts, shapes, and how light interacts with different facets.
  • Experience with creating detailed manufacturing specification sheets.
  • Ability to accurately interpret design briefs and translate verbal direction into compelling visuals.
  • Basic animation skills for creating 360-degree product views is a strong plus.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous attention to detail and an obsession with precision and accuracy.
  • A strong artistic eye and a sophisticated aesthetic sensibility aligned with luxury goods.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with a team.
  • The ability to receive and constructively integrate creative feedback and criticism.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, particularly for resolving technical challenges in a design.
  • Highly organized with effective time management abilities to juggle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
  • A passion for jewelry, fashion, and design innovation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional certification.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a specialized diploma/certification in Jewelry Design, CAD/CAM for Jewelry, or Industrial Design.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Jewelry Design
  • Industrial Design
  • Fine Arts / Illustration
  • 3D Modeling & Animation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5 years of professional experience as a jewelry illustrator, jewelry designer, or CAD designer within the fine jewelry industry.

Preferred:

  • A comprehensive and exceptional portfolio is required for consideration. The portfolio must demonstrate a wide range of skills, from conceptual hand sketches and digital paintings to dimensionally accurate technical drawings and photorealistic 3D renderings of complex fine jewelry pieces.
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