Ceramic designers create a wide range of decorative or functional items such as tableware, tiles and sculptures by shaping and firing clay. They create designs either as a 'one-off' made in a workshop for a client, or for mass production.

The Work

You could be:

• sketching designs by hand, or using 3D computer aided design software, either for your own work, a client, or for a design brief if employed by a company
• working with a wide range of materials such as stoneware, earthenware, terracotta, bone china or porcelain
• hand making pots and vases either by shaping on a potter's wheel, or by hand building, involving rolling coils of clay and smoothing them together
• using moulds or hand operated machinery to create multiple items such as bowls, plates, bottles or decorative pieces
• making and decorating tiles used for floors, walls or fireplaces
• hand building decorative sculptures using slabs or small lumps of clay to build up over a frame or ‘armature’ for support
• decorating your work either by directly painting glaze to the surface or applying photo transfers, and then stacking in a kiln (oven) for firing
• if working in manufacturing, overseeing the production of work on a factory floor
• keeping up to date with design trends and promoting or selling your work online, at craft fairs, galleries or through a shop.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job
• the type of craft work you are doing.

Starting salaries for ceramic designers in the UK can be in the range of £20,000 to £25,000 a year. Experienced designers can earn more. Many ceramic designers are self-employed or work freelance. They charge a fee, which varies depending on the item designed or made, and on their reputation. The better known they are, the more they can charge.

Conditions

• You would work in a studio, factory or from your own home.
• Working conditions may be noisy, dusty and hot in a workshop environment.
• The work is usually messy, where you can work with liquid plaster, liquid clay (called ‘slip’), and powder pigment glazes.
• You sometimes need to use protective gear such as gloves, goggles and an apron.
• You may sometimes work with hazardous substances when mixing coloured glazes, so you need to wear a face mask.
• You might have to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet deadlines.
• You might travel to meet clients, or attend exhibitions, in order to promote and sell your work.

Useful Subjects

• Art and Design
• Art and Design (Design)
• Art and Design (Expressive)

Getting In

• There are no formal entry requirements but most people have a qualification in art and design, specialising in ceramic art or 3D craft design.
• You could take an NC, NQ, HNC, HND or a degree course.
• You do not always need qualifications to get into an NC or NQ, although some courses may require up to 4-5 subjects at National 4 or 5. For an HNC or HND you usually need 1-2 Highers or an NC or NQ, and for a degree, 3-4 Highers including English and Art and Design.
• You normally need a portfolio of art work for entry to college or university.
• If you are very talented and have an extremely good portfolio, you might get into an HNC, HND or degree course with less than the normal minimum academic requirements.
• Gray's School of Art at Robert Gordon University offers a degree course in Three Dimensional Design. Entry requirements are 3 Highers at BBC including English or another English based subject and Art and Design or a technological subject.

For art school courses you need to apply through UCAS.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

2460

2.9 %

RISE

2029

2532

  United Kingdom

2024

29512

4 %

RISE

2029

30704

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What Does it Take?

You need to be:

• artistic and naturally creative
• practical when using tools and materials
• able to use specialist computer software
• accurate and attentive to detail
• knowledgeable about materials and working processes
• able to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• aware of health and safety working procedures
• able to accept criticism of your work
• business aware, if self-employed.

Training

• You would continue to develop your skills and experience through on the job training if employed, or by attending further workshops or courses.

Getting On

• You could set up your own company, making and selling your own designs, or employing others to produce your designs if you are quite successful.
• Getting work is competitive so promoting yourself and building up a network of contacts is important to establish yourself if you are working freelance.
• You could design for manufacturers on a freelance basis.
• There are fewer opportunities for promotion if you work in a small craft workshop.
• You may also do other jobs such as teaching or running a craft shop, to supplement your income.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.