Wearing Sound - SOWN's Innovative Jewelry Design
What is "my sound"?
For me, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of sound is music. It is the music I play when I wake up in the morning, the music I listen to before I start work, the music I listen to when I want to concentrate, the music that soothes me when I am tired - just like "made for you" (Spotify's feature that plays your favorite music) throughout the day, It is the music that lifts our spirits throughout the day.
SOWN, which stands for "OWN SOUND" = "my sound," is a brand born from the creative concept of "wearing sound.
The Idea of Turning Sound into Design
However, one question comes to mind.
Sound is invisible and has no form. How, then, can it be embodied in jewelry? Mr. Katakura had a surprisingly clear vision for this question.
Mr. Katakura, the founder of SOWN, studied design in graduate school and worked as a designer for a major consumer electronics manufacturer, designing smartphones and other products. He later gained experience at a watch manufacturer, where he also designed metal analog watches for overseas customers.
He is good at mathematics and is the type of creator who constructs designs logically. That is why he is able to create designs based on theory as well as sensibility.
The answer he arrived at was the idea of "visualizing sound.
How to visualize sound
The method used to visualize sound is the "Chladni figure. These are geometric patterns created by vibrations, which are formed by the frequency of sound. By capturing these vibrations, the concept of "wearing sound" was realized.
Fusion of Science and Art
Using sound waveforms as the starting point for the design, and then generating them three-dimensionally - this process utilizes Katakura's meticulous calculations and sense of style. In the design stage, rather than simply reproducing the Chladni figure, the curves that fit the human body and the beauty of the piece as an accessory are taken into consideration.
Furthermore, even the "reflection of light" is controlled in SOWN jewelry. Even if the design looks simple at first glance, by fine-tuning the way the surfaces are stretched, the reflection of light changes, changing the expression of the piece depending on the angle of view. And even the parts that cannot be seen are filled with attention to detail. For example, the mirror finish is applied to the backs and inner sides of the earrings, which are not visible when the earrings are worn.
First Collection
SOWN's first collection is composed of jewelry derived from four sounds. Each sound is a projection of Mr. Katakura's own experiences and emotions, and each piece is more than just a design; it contains a "story.
For example, "Tokyo" is a design that graphically represents the sounds of bustling city life. The sounds of Tokyo's crowded trains and bustling streets are at once glamorous and at the same time lonesome and frustrating. These fluctuating emotions are incorporated into the jewelry.
The other three items are also designed to make use of the different characteristics of sound and to make you feel positive when you wear them.
SOWN - Tokyo Pierced Earrings
A new experience of "wearing sound
We hope that wearers of SOWN's accessories will gain courage and feel positive," says Mr. Katakura.
Mr. Katakura says so.
As I write this article, and as you read it, each of us was raised in a different environment and has a different set of values. However, through the common element of "sound," we may be able to connect with each other.
Now that I have finished writing this article, I feel like going back to search for new sounds.