1. Investigating Existing
CAT 2
Investigating Existing
Products

2. Find and select 3 existing products (ceramic vessels) that you think are inspirational. Analyse and annotate (write about) each design, writing in full sentences and in detail. You will need to comment on:
Shape/Form: round, square, curvy, elongated, rectangular, oval, cylindrical etc.
Type of ceramic material used: terracotta clay, earthenware clay, raku, porcelain, stoneware etc.
Building techniques used: hand-built (coil/slab/pinch), potters wheel (thrown)
Describe colours used (glazes): e.g. Angry Red, Pastel pink, Deep Purple, Sunset Orange, Daffodil Yellow
Is the vessel based on something in particular or does it have a theme?: A Character, An animal etc.
Why you find the vessel inspirational, and how it could influence your design ideas: e.g. you may choose a vessel because you like its textured surface, and may wish to do something similar on your final piece.
Decorative techniques used: e.g. Applique, Inlay, Burnish, Texture/Pattern, colour/glaze, Sgraffito etc.
Any other features: glass beads, mosaic, metallic pieces, fabric pieces etc.

3. Decorative
Techniques

4. APPLIQUE
Clay applied to the surface to give
a 3D effect.

6. sgraffito

7. INLAY

9. Burnish

10. TEXTURE

12. GLAZE

13. Annotated Vessel Example:
The lizard is a form of Applique
and has been glazed with a black and white striped pattern
which stand out against
the red background colour.
This vessel is rather
interesting due to the way
in which the lizard has been
used to add decoration, as
well create a unique carry
handle.
Yellow triangles add interest
to what would otherwise
be a very plain and
uninteresting red glaze.
It is very likely that the main
body of this vessel was
created on a potters wheel
(thrown), however it could
have been hand-built from
coils.
This particular vessel has a
glossy finish giving it a smooth
texture, this was created using
a clear glaze top-coat.
The rectangular pattern
running around the neck
of the vase is yet another
decorative feature. However,
I feel that it clashes with
the polka dot pattern on the
body.
This vessel has been made
from the ceramic
material Terracotta, a clay
that has a rich orange colour.
The curvy form of this vessel is
quite appealing, however, the design
could be improved if the overall shape
was a little more rounded.

14. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND
IMAGES OF INTERESTING PLUSH TOYS, YOU MAY USE THE IMAGES
ON THE NEXT TWO SLIDES.