Fashion + Interview – Complete Technique–Custom Jewelry
For my third interview, I was lucky enough to meet the designer / craftsman of the luxuriously urban jewelry brand, Complete Technique. I met with Osa in his DUMBO studio, and interrupted him in the middle of a piece for a quick talk.
Complete Technique makes beautiful pendants, rings, chains… Customs designs for everyone ; from the most influential artists (Mos Def, Biz Markie, DJ Jazzy Jeff, HiTek…) to anyone of us (if you can pay the price).
It was a pleasure to meet this very humble and greatly talented artist ; and finally lay my eyes (and hands) on jewelry I’d only been drooling over in front of my computer screen (personal favorite being the sterling silver speaker ring..see below).
Arize: What first struck me, as we started talking, was the excitement talking to you about your craft. You also showed me technically how you make jewelry. Can you give readers a quick crash course in jewelry making?
OK, Basically We do Modeling, Casting, Molding, Polishing, Stone setting, Engraving, Enameling, and Plating. For all processes, I have professional Jewelers. Some people are casting everyday. Some people are setting Diamond everyday. What I do, I am managing the production and Modeling process. Modeling is most important to make brand as CompleteTechnique. I do Wax curving, Metal soldering, and filing technique for making model.
Arize: You told me about how you first learned to make jewelry during your one on one lessons with your teacher. Now on your site you have a calendar that keeps track of every step taken to make the pieces (personally thats my favorite part of www.completetechnique.com). How important is it to pass on the knowledge you’ve acquired?
I think this type of technique come from my childhood in Japan.
Because I made so much Plastic models. I loved Star Wars, Night rider, Air Wolf, and Gundan ( Japanese Animation) etc. And Customizing any way to my favorite looking. At the time, I couldn't understand how those 3D dimension models were constructed by people. Now people use computers to make modesl. So I think this is good thing to use for Jewelry too.
When I was kid, I loved Technics combo of the 80's. There were Speakers, Turntable's, CD player's, Tape player and Amp/ Tuner.
Anyway, I learned jewelry making and designing for 3 years. and started to make my own design. And still developing new skill and learning from what I made. Everytime I had to find out new way or new technology for each new project. And I used a calendar to show every step to people who are actually ordering CompleteTechnique custom jewelry. It's also good to remember what I did in the past. That's most important for me " Don't forget what I did" and " Create Technique from past"
Arize: You modestly say that you don’t actually “design” ; that you “merely” replicate existing objects. (Just to say, I think your design work is really brilliant) Why draws you to these mechanical things?
This is also from my childhood. When I was kid, I loved Technics combo of the 80's. There were Speakers, Turntable's, CD player's, Tape player and Amp/ Tuner. Then I started listening to the music alot. Also I like miniature things, you know. . . That way, I started to make music equipment and instruments. Also I introduced myself as a jeweler. Not designer. Actually I like the term "Modeler."
Arize: Your jewelry is so very precious ; firstly by the raw material (sterling silver and 24K gold) ; the beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail (mpc screen flips up, headphones pieces are all independent ; tracks on the skateboard are individual pieces mounted like on a real board…). But with all the ability for a client to get custom-made pieces, what are some of the wildest things anyone has ever asked you to make? Have you ever refused a design?
Yes, I have. I got a order for the " Statue of Buddha" medallion. That was really difficult modeling for me. Because I am Japanese and this was from my culture. So I was really careful about looks and quality. ( Please check my calendar, you will know how long that took me) Basically, it's really difficult to have exact image in my head. It takes a while. Then curving wax to make exactly what I want. Sometime, my fingers move by themselves.
I do not want to say that I can't make it. Basically I can make whatever I want.
The more important thing is how much quality I and my custmor want. However, it will take time,to make it this happen. Also it depends on how difficultit is for me. That's why, it's hard to say when I can finish the custom project. Also I believe it's gonna be great product if I take time to make it, you know. I don't want give any products away that I don't like, and it takes time to make me like what I am making.
Arize: Please tell us about the collaboration with HiTek on the MPC3000 (how it started, the design process…).
We got an offer from Hi-Tek promotion team, and we started to talk about the custom MPC3000 for him. So I and my partner went to the recording studio and checked out his Custom Akai MPC3000 and had a conversation with him. Then I decided to make the MPC3000 for him. He really wanted to make it happen.
At the time, I used computer graphics for designing and made wax models by machine so that I could get exact squares and circles of front parts. And made the body by crafting metal and mold. So Now CompleteTechnique can make more custom MPC3000 for each customer. And Each MPC3000 won't be same piece.
Arize: Are you planning on any other big name design collaborations in the near future?
I have a couple offers from clothing companies. But those are still secret projects. It will be posted on my calendar soon...
Arize: When we met, you spoke of wanting to portray a lifestyle. Your pieces, up until now, have mostly been inspired by the music (more precisely Hip-Hop) world. Do you plan on extending your inspiration to other areas of expression?: graffiti, fashion design, dancing…
Yes, I will. Also I think Hip-Hop is not only in the music word.. I think this word means culture from the New York lifestyle. Music, Dancing, Graffiti, Fashion, Each style is still changing and finding out its own new style.
CompleteTechnique is creating old school design jewelry, but it's still fresh. Because no-one did before.
Basically I can make whatever I want.
The more important thing is how much quality I and my custmor want.
Arize: You also mentioned the difficulty of being the artist and the businessman. How have you remedied that problem? Do you manage to divide yourself into 2 separate people? Or have you found someone else to take care of business?
This is hardest situation for me. I am a creative person and not the business person. So It's really hard to make money. However I got so much respect from people who wear my Jewelry, and I have gotten so much support. That's why I still can keep making new designs for even more people. So I really appreciate the respect and doesnt make me hard to be the business person…you know.
But I do think I have to find a business partner in near future.
Arize: Do you have any advice for young entrepreneurs who look up to brands like yours? Brands that touch the sensibilities of so many people (from celebrities to us all).
Yes, I have. First I would like to say "DO YOUR THING." If you make whatever you designed by hand. or machine. It's all your samples. Nobody can make the same thing. Also "FIND PEOPLE WHO LIKE YOUR STYLES" It's very important to know who likes your design, product, and service. What kind of people? Young, Middle, Adult, Old, American, European, Asian, etc. I think people who start a company should know who will buy the company's products before they start lining up a collection.
Arize: Thanks for having me over and taking the time to answer these questions.
No problem and Thank you very much too.
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