The evolution of an award-winning designer
Lessons from Juliana Fransisko
When Juliana Fransisko first began sketching jewellery designs for the De Beers Shining Light Awards competition, she approached her blank canvas with trepidation. Despite her natural talent for sketching, the prospect of formal jewellery design seemed daunting.Little did she know she would win the Namibian leg of the 2024/25 edition of this prestigious competition with an unusual piece. Even more surprising to her, she says, is that the journey shaped not just her designs, but her entire outlook on life.
“More than working on the project, the project really worked on me,” says Fransisko, whose winning collection drew inspiration from the distinctive Mopani tree and sugar cane. Her pieces included a ring, a bracelet and her stand-out creation – sunglasses chains that captured the judges’ attention.
The path to victory was far from smooth. In the first week, Fransisko discovered her computer wasn’t powerful enough to run the necessary design programs. Then, disaster struck – her car was broken into, and her newly acquired PC was stolen.
“I was ready to give up,” she admits. However, her mentor’s belief in her vision proved crucial. “He saw my designs, my sketches, and he said, ‘You can’t quit now.’”
Catalysts for growth
These challenges, coupled with self-doubt about her worthiness, could have derailed her journey. Instead, they became catalysts for growth. Fransisko found herself working through sunsets and sunrises for three weeks straight, mastering 3D design – a skill she had never attempted before – on computers that De Beers had donated to her college sometime previously.
Perhaps the most significant transformation came through learning to embrace change. Her initial concept centred around streetlights, but she allowed her ideas to evolve organically. “You shouldn’t get married to your initial idea,” she advises future designers. This flexibility extended beyond her creative process to her personal development, fostered by the supportive community she found among her fellow designers.
The competition environment proved to be a crucible for personal growth. “I learnt how much I can take as a person,” Fransisko says. Previously prone to academic struggles, she discovered a new sense of focus and dedication. The experience awakened a hunger in her – not just to see her designs materialise, but to excel in all aspects of her craft.
Collaboration
Working alongside other designers taught her the value of honest feedback and collaboration. “It was really nice to see how people could contribute to your pieces and tell you what is working and what isn’t,” she says. This collaborative spirit helped her recognise when certain ideas, like her planned earrings, needed to be abandoned.
Today, Fransisko’s vision extends far beyond personal success. Drawing inspiration from Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature, she feels a responsibility to contribute to her culture and the time that she lives in. Her ambitions for the next decade include creating her own pieces, building her manufacturing skills, and making her mark in the luxury sector. More importantly, she aims to create opportunities for minority groups and tell stories that resonate with her community.
Her transformation is evident in her current approach to all her creative work. “I am calmer and pay more attention to detail – not just in my jewellery design, but in all my other design work too,” she says. From a nervous beginner to a confident, award-winning designer, her journey exemplifies how creative challenges can ignite profound personal growth.
Her parting advice to aspiring designers encapsulates her own transformative journey: “Operate within your inner authority,” she says. “Don’t wait for anyone to motivate you. Don’t wait for deadlines. Just do it.”