Alfred Pain worked originally in textiles and export marketing, with this career he travelled widely throughout the world, and later went on to run his own architectural ironmongery and metal work business. Returning to full time study in 1988 at the Sir John Cass faculty of The London Metropolitan University, he took an HND in Silversmithing achieving a distinction, and in 1993 gained a BA Hons in Silversmithing, Jewellery & Allied Crafts. Part of his designs derive from his experience in architectural metalwork and he uses gold, silver, wood, glass, acrylics and steel to create work that is plain and elegant. The variety of materials used allows his designs to be flexible, and enhances the silver by contrasting colours and textures. He also carries out design-only commissions in precious metals and fine metalwork. Alfred Pain is a founder member of the Association of British Designer Silversmiths, member of the Chartered Society of Designers and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.