Potters, Manufacturing
Potters (manufacturing) operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in the manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
A potter’s job responsibilities involve operation and heating or drying equipment. Pottery manufacturers shape clay or dough to create products and adjust this equipment to ensure optimal performance. Besides, they apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products and mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Pottery manufacturers create pots and dishes for everyday use or purely artistic purposes. Although no formal education is required to enter this field, pottery training is recommended to learn the basics of the craft.
To become a pottery manufacturer, you must be passionate about your art. For expertise, you can go for a master's degree in applied arts or design, ceramics or 3D design. A huge variety of diplomas, certifications and part-time courses are available that can help an aspirant in polishing the skills and gaining knowledge.
After years of perfecting pottery manufacturing skills, potters can exhibit or sell, take orders of their work at craft fairs/exhibitions, open personal art studios, have displays at art galleries, set up online portfolio websites, or work at an artist co-op.
Manufacturing pottery has endless potential working with clay. One should be excited to work with hand and display creativity to develop a pottery hobby into the profession of pottery manufacturer.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- MFA Ceramic Art and Pottery
- BFA Ceramic Art and Pottery
Tasks
- Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.
- Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
- Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
- Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
- Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
- Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
Progression Routes
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