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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Pottery Designer

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

DesignArts & CraftsProduct DevelopmentManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

Are you an artist at heart with a passion for form, function, and the timeless medium of clay? This role requires a talented and innovative Pottery Designer to spearhead the creation of our next generation of ceramic products. This role is a unique opportunity to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design trends, shaping the aesthetic direction of our brand. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on creator, a technical problem-solver, and a visionary artist who can manage the entire design lifecycle, from a spark of an idea to a beautifully finished piece ready for market. You will be the creative force behind our pottery collections, influencing everything from shape and texture to glaze and color.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Fine Arts Graduate (Ceramics Specialization)
  • Studio Assistant / Apprentice
  • Industrial Designer with a focus on hard goods

Advancement To:

  • Senior Pottery Designer or Lead Ceramist
  • Creative Director (Ceramics & Home Goods)
  • Studio Manager / Director of Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Designer (Hard Goods / Tabletop)
  • Material Development Specialist
  • Art or Craft Educator / Workshop Facilitator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conceptualize, sketch, and design new and innovative ceramic forms for tableware, serveware, and decorative objects, ensuring they align with brand identity and seasonal trends.
  • Execute designs by skillfully employing a variety of techniques, including advanced wheel throwing, hand-building (slab, coil, pinch), and slip-casting.
  • Develop and create prototypes and master models for production, meticulously refining shapes, sizes, and functional elements based on feedback.
  • Formulate, test, and document unique glaze recipes to achieve specific colors, textures, and finishes, ensuring consistency and food safety standards are met.
  • Operate and maintain various types of kilns (electric, gas), developing precise firing schedules to achieve desired results for different clay bodies and glazes.
  • Manage the entire production cycle for small-batch or limited-edition collections, from clay preparation and forming to trimming, glazing, and final firing.
  • Conduct market and trend research to stay ahead of an evolving home decor and tabletop landscape, translating findings into compelling design concepts.
  • Collaborate closely with the product development and marketing teams to ensure a cohesive vision from design conception through to product launch.
  • Create detailed technical specifications and design packets for production partners, clearly communicating design intent, dimensions, and finishing requirements.
  • Oversee quality control throughout the design and production process, identifying and resolving technical issues such as cracking, warping, or glaze defects.
  • Maintain a comprehensive digital and physical library of all designs, glaze tests, clay body experiments, and firing records for future reference.
  • Photograph finished pieces for portfolio, marketing materials, and e-commerce platforms, highlighting the unique qualities of each design.

Secondary Functions

  • Manage and maintain the pottery studio, ensuring equipment is in good working order and all materials and supplies are properly inventoried and stored.
  • Lead and mentor junior designers or studio assistants, providing technical guidance and fostering a creative and collaborative environment.
  • Participate in design reviews and critiques, articulating your design choices and providing constructive feedback to peers.
  • Prepare and pack finished pottery for shipment to clients, galleries, or retail partners, ensuring secure and professional presentation.
  • Liaise with material suppliers to source high-quality clays, glazes, and other necessary raw materials, negotiating pricing and ensuring timely delivery.
  • Contribute to the visual merchandising strategy for retail environments or trade shows, helping to create compelling displays of the ceramic collections.
  • Assist in costing new designs by calculating material usage, labor time, and production overhead to determine viable price points.
  • Stay informed about sustainability practices within ceramics and actively seek opportunities to implement more eco-friendly processes and materials.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Wheel Throwing & Hand-Building: Mastery of creating complex and consistent forms using various techniques.
  • Glaze Chemistry & Formulation: In-depth knowledge of raw materials and chemical interactions to create stable, unique glazes from scratch.
  • Kiln Operation & Firing: Expertise in loading, programming, and firing electric and gas kilns to achieve specific atmospheric effects and results.
  • Mold Making & Slip Casting: Proficiency in creating plaster molds and using them for slip-cast production to ensure uniformity and scalability.
  • Technical Drawing & 3D Modeling: Ability to create precise technical drawings and, increasingly, utilize CAD or Rhino for complex designs and prototypes.
  • Clay Body Knowledge: Deep understanding of the properties of different clay bodies (e.g., stoneware, porcelain, earthenware) and their specific applications.
  • Adobe Creative Suite: Competency in Photoshop and Illustrator for creating design mockups, concept presentations, and marketing assets.
  • Product Photography: Skill in capturing high-quality images of finished work that accurately represent color, texture, and form.

Soft Skills

  • Artistic Vision & Creativity: A strong aesthetic sense and the ability to generate original, compelling design ideas.
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exacting eye for form, finish, and quality, crucial in a craft where millimeters matter.
  • Problem-Solving: The ability to diagnose and troubleshoot technical issues in the ceramic process, from clay defects to glaze flaws.
  • Patience & Persistence: The resilience to work through the trial-and-error nature of ceramics development.
  • Time Management & Organization: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a studio environment.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Skill in articulating design concepts and working effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Business Acumen: An understanding of market trends, product costing, and pricing strategies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent demonstrated experience through a comprehensive professional portfolio.

Preferred Education:

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) with a specialization in Ceramics.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Ceramics
  • Fine Arts
  • Industrial Design
  • Sculpture

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of professional experience working in a ceramics studio, design company, or as an independent potter.

Preferred:

A robust and compelling portfolio is essential and will be weighed heavily. The portfolio should demonstrate a high level of technical skill, a distinct artistic voice, and experience in designing functional and/or decorative ceramic ware. Experience launching a successful product line or collection is highly desirable.

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