Interview with Antje Bott

Antje Bott is a goldsmith and product designer. Her design responsibilities at Niessing range from the creation and development of individual retail products to the refinement of entire jewellery collections. In addition, she also holds seminars and training courses that provide insights into the work process of design as well as into the design philosophy of the Niessing company. With the “Niessing Polymer” necklace made of white polyamide Antje Bott sets entirely new standards in jewellery design. This year’s red dot jury honoured this outstanding design performance with a “red dot: best of the best”.

Mrs. Bott, what was your inspiration to create a necklace made of polyamide?
Antje Bott: The Niessing Polymer necklace is manufactured using the same process as the packaging. Polyamide is very robust, light and flexible – characteristics that facilitated the design. The white, matte surface of this piece of jewellery has high aesthetic value and makes it evident at first sight that it is not made of a material conventionally used in jewellery design. An association with unglazed porcelain is suggested. The fragile appearance however is put  into perspective when wearing this extremely light piece of jewellery.

What process has been used to manufacture the Niessing Polymer necklace?
Antje Bott: Niessing Polymer is manufactured using a laser sinter process. This technology is used to make prototypes and small runs. Application areas include sample parts for Formula One racing cars. In this process, tiny polyamide beads are melted together by the laser, layer by layer, creating a small piece of art.

What design philosophy is behind the Niessing Polymer necklace?
Antje Bott: The aim of my work was to develop an aesthetically enticing, sensible and individual piece of jewellery, the outcome of an anonymous, computer-generated design and computer-controlled manufacturing process. Niessing Polymer also raises the question of what values are. The quality of design is pivotal; the possibilities offered by the production process are fascinating, while the material value itself fades into the background.

How would you define beauty?
Antje Bott: Beauty is emotionally touching. I would say that beauty is a balancing act between perfection and imperfection.