Reprint of a September, 2014 interview conducted by Isabel Städler, then Head of Curation at Stilnest.

Stilnest (German for "style nest") is an online jewelry company based in Berlin. Stilnest was founded in 2013 by Julian Leitloff, Florian Krebs, Raoul Schäkermann, Mike Schäkermann, Michael Aigner and Tim Bibow.

Stilnest is known for working with social media stars and celebrities. The company currently ships to 65 countries worldwide and uses 3D printing technology to help produce its jewelry.

Stilnest commissioned me to create an exclusive jewelry collection and this interview was done in conjunction with the release of the "Soundscapes" Collection

Where and how were you educated?

I received my BA in English and Philosophy at Tulane University. I was close to minoring in fine arts - my concentration was in glass blowing and sculpture - but ran out of time! I never lost my love for art and sculpture. Through law school and my career as a practicing attorney, I made time to study and hone my craft. I worked and apprenticed with some fantastic artists, including glass blower Larry Livolsi , designer/sculptor Dorothy Hafner, and painter/sculptor Denis Folz. My education is ongoing and crosses disciplines.

Where did you work?

My career was in law. I was a litigator in New York before I took on a supervisory role at a boutique legal services company in Columbus, Ohio. However, as satisfying as a good day's work could be, it was never my passion. The practice of law has creative aspects and creative people; it just didn't stoke my fire. I appreciate the experience and education. It helps a lot on the business side of things. It's good not to be intimidated by fine print!

Why do you design jewelry?

A piece of jewelry is a wearable sculpture. Take the soundscape collection I made for Stilnest. If you scale it up, it would be just as fascinating to look at. 

When I go to a museum or a gallery, I have to consciously hold myself back from reaching out and touching the things I see. I like jewelry because it's made to be touched and worn close to your skin. My goal for every piece is for people to unconsciously have to touch it. This is why I design jewelry.

How did you get the idea to work with 3D printing and what do you like about it? What inspires you?

I got the idea to work with 3D printing by just being aware of the technology via tech blogs. I noticed the technology a few years ago and started to educate myself on it bit by bit. Back then, there was a story once every other month. Now there are stories every day!

The idea of 3D printing is exciting by itself, no? Pressing a button and making something appear out of just the amount of material you need. Amazing! Who wouldn't want to get involved in something like that? 

I also enjoy working within the confines of technology. It is frustrating at times, but that's what I like about it - the push and pull of what I want to do and what the technology will let me do. However, since the technology of 3D printing is continually improving, I find that I can do more and more. That is inspiring in its own way.  

Favorite designer/architect/music/philosophy/etc.?

I have a spectrum of likes. 

I admire Steve Jobs - for his business acumen, his visual aesthetic, his eye for detail. 

I admire Andy Warhol and think he is as much a philosopher as he is an artist and businessman.  

I enjoy Roy Lichtenstein's work. His work is to art what CliffsNotes are to literature. That is meant as a compliment. There are a lot of things to see and read and anything that can help you find your way is good in my book. 

I really do like IKEA. I don't care if people think it's cheap college furniture. I could walk around IKEA every day and not get bored.  

I like what Miguel Angel Galluzzi has done with Ducati design and look forward to seeing how his work develops at Piaggio, especially as it concerns Moto Guzzi. 

My music choices have evolved but I will always listen to Radiohead and Björk. I am currently enjoying Sakanaction, Eliphant, Asaf Avidan, and Starcadian.

I don't have a favorite architect, but I'll quote John Landis, who himself was paraphrasing John Huston, that "Politicians, old buildings and prostitutes become respectable with age." 

 Any other interesting information about you?

I recently acquired the only car I ever wanted. A 1991 Monte Carlo Yellow SAAB 900 convertible. It lives up to the mental pedestal I had it placed on for the past 20 years. 

How does your designing process look like?

It usually starts with me setting out a goal. "I want to make x." And then proceeding to figure out how to. Sometimes I have a clear procedure in mind and know how I'm going to achieve my goal. Many times I hit a wall and start over again several times. I always find a way through, around, or under any block. I'll go out and walk the dog and, without thinking about the problem, come home and an answer presents itself. Or at the very least, I'll have been inspired to do something else, which inevitably leads to a solution somewhere down the line.

I occasionally sketch an idea on paper, but most of the time will start directly on the computer - whether it's for 3D printing or something else. Since I was 4, I was using a computer - starting with the Commodore 64 - and feel comfortable using one as my blank page. But I am a big fan of post-it notes! I have them stuck everywhere on my desk, in my car, on the walls, and on the computer. I sketch pictures on them, I suss out design problems on them while I'm on the computer, I write down ideas for designs and stories on them. I think it's the immediacy of them that I like.  

I am in the Rembrant school of thought when it comes to deciding whether or not the goal has been met - in my mind, it's done "when he had achieved his purpose."  

Say something about your design presented at Stilnest. What ́s the idea, you have had in mind?

I have developed several jewelry designs derived from spoken word sound waves. My Stilnest design is a further distillation of that process. The end product here is a "landscape of sound" or, more simply, a soundscape. I was inspired by the late 90's landscapes of Lichtenstein - "Vista with Bridge," which is a great example. He, in turn, was inspired by the classic landscape paintings of ancient China and Japan. I wanted something between the two - Lichtenstein's works have stark separations, and the Chinese landscapes a more ethereal quality. I wanted both. I wanted to see the sound wave blended into a scene, the profile of the mountains and valleys, derived from the waveform. 

Recognized by HUFFPOST as the "coolest engagement ring available on Stilnest."