Q&A: Ed Hole
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Ed Hole is Head of CAD Design and 3D Printing at Birmingham based jewellery industry giant Weston Beamor Ltd. He has been at the company since 2003, and for some 14 years he has been creating bespoke pieces and new product development lines for a wide variety of clients. He is an expert CAD Designer and 3D Print specialist and has built up a team specialising in the use of cutting edge technology at the firm. Ed has a BA (Hons) in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A.
What’s your name, and what do you for a living?
EH: Ed Hole, Head of CAD and 3D Printing at Weston Beamor.
How did you come to work in the jewellery industry?
EH: I graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in Industrial Design and joined Domino as a CAD Designer in 2003, knowing nothing about jewellery! At that time computer aided design and 3D printing (rapid prototyping as it was referred to) was a very new skill set within the jewellery world. I quickly fell in love with the combination of cutting edge technology and traditional craftsmanship, and have never looked back.
How would you describe your work to someone who doesn’t know it?
EH: Our bespoke service at Weston Beamor allows customers without the necessary facilities in-house to offer bespoke pieces to their clients. Every stage of production is within our factory in Birmingham. We focus on service and quality.
What is your creative process?
EH: We have to think very practically about the manufacture of a design given to us without compromising the aesthetics. Some customers have a very firm idea of what the piece will look like and others give us a fair amount of design freedom, which is great. We want our customers to be proud giving pieces we’ve made to their clients.
Where do you love to shop?
EH: The three A’s - Amazon, ASOS and Aldi. Nowhere too exciting I’m afraid! Although I do like a mooch through a good food market.
What is your inspiration?
EH: Space, and the people who go there.
What piece of jewellery do you most treasure?
EH: My 1970’s Garrard automatic watch.
What piece of jewellery do you most desire?
EH: I’m fascinated by watches and the amazingly complicated mechanics that can be achieved in such a tiny space. The skill of watchmaking blows my mind. When I win the lottery I’ll go for a Patek Philippe :)
If you could only be remembered for one thing in your working life, what would it be?
EH: The pieces we work on are confidential to the customer, but I’m most proud of building the CAD and 3D Print Team we have here at Weston Beamor. Dealing with the amount and variety of designs we get isn’t easy, but it’s a pleasure to see customer’s idea’s come to life every day.
What would be your advice to someone starting out in the industry?
EH: Make friends, be patient and listen.
The Benchpeg Proust Q&A
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What’s your favourite work of art?
EH: Henri Matisse’s cut-out series. -
Who from past or present would you invite to a dinner party for the evening?
EH: Professor Brian Cox, Ricky Gervais and Gordon Ramsay can do the cooking. -
Do you have any pets, if yes, what is their name?
EH: No. -
What is your most treasured possession?
EH: My record collection. -
What would you consider a perfect day?
EH: I’ve had a few, but I’m getting married in September to my fiancee Kerry, which will be as close to perfect as I can imagine. -
Is there a favourite journey, trip or voyage you hold dear?
EH: We’ve been lucky enough to have a few holidays in the Far East, which have all been fantastic. I love the pace of life and the food is amazing. -
What is your greatest achievement?
EH: Completing the London Marathon this year. By far the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but also one of the best. -
What advice would tell your younger self?
EH: Have confidence in yourself and be brave. -
Can you sum yourself up in one word?
EH: Yes. -
What motto do you live by?
EH: Take time to smell the roses.
Image credits: Images sourced from Ed Hole, BBC, Channel 4, Twitter and Weston Beamor.
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