Some of you may know, I am currently learning as many skills my tiny mind could possibly contain, to help me understand the work of a furniture designer and all that entails in this unique profession. However the design world is so vast, there are so many exciting aspects to it that intrigue me, which genuinely excite me and I yearn to learn more.
Luckily as part of my course I was given the amazing opportunity to visit the site where Denby Pottery collections are designed, created and sold.
We started in the studio where only 7 people start the process of turning an idea into a design where eventually millions are to be sold (6 million pieces are sold a year-to be precise!) Here they create new designs, patterns and glazes, they model any new ideas using a 3D printer which decreases their lead time from idea to production as it is able to print out 10 models in 30 minutes/1 hour (wowee) and they also forecast the trends for upcoming years so they know what will sell and what will not.
To say there's only 7 of them; each member of that team is so valuable.
I felt so giddy just listening to what they do, who would know what I'd be like if I were to be so lucky to work there!
Then progressing onto the factory floor, the speed that the employees were working at was incredible. It puts the many months I put into manufacturing just one piece of furniture, never mind 130,000 pieces a week, to shame.
The technicality of the robot arms that create dishes, mugs and plates repeatedly is amazing to see.
Some people have issues with robots taking over work labour that humans could carry out. I agree.. However, the speed in which these robots could carry out this task was exciting to watch; in a way I found it quite relaxing watching the process being carried out repeatedly with such accuracy and smoothness.
The primary technique that my course mate and I were interested in, was an operation called 'Slip Casting'.
Here I'm a bit stuck. I don't know whether to fill you in of the process or not? Hmm.
Well I suppose I have kind of offered it you now, however rather than reading more dribble drabble from myself, right down at the bottom is a video that will answer any question you have about slip casting, as well as the whole Denby process.
After the newly created pieces had gone through the biscuit kiln, it was time for them to be glazed!
I was intrigued to how this action were to be carried out. (Yes, I suppose I had been intrigued all the way through-but this even more so!)
Before I came to Denby I had never heard the word glaze/glazed' and the word itself was so captivating (and it did also remind me of Krispy Kreme).
Anyway, there were multiple ways in which a glaze could be applied to a piece. In large batches, all at once, individually, hand painted and even dipped into the glaze.
My favourite collection of Denby's is the 'Halo' collection; the accuracy of the glaze on that is admirable!
The patterns were all placed on individually.
Walking through the factory near the end; loud crashes, and gentle taps could be heard. Here was the testing area and it was an absurd department.
Employees stood tapping teapots to hear if they were correct and suitable for sale. Shattering sounds as the drop test was carried out on only a few pieces. I was stood there in amazement.
It was a whole other world, a world that was different and far from anything I had ever experienced and yet and I would go back so many more times to watch the whole process again.
There are tours available (no, I'm not part of their advertising department), but I understand that the comfort of your own home sounds much more appealing.
So, if you are interested to learn more and want to actually see how these pieces are created-rather than read my ramblings-then below (along with the Slip Casting process) is a video that Denby themselves have created.
It makes everything I have told you a hell of a lot more interesting and I am thankful for you to have read this whole (actually quite pointless) blog. Well done you!
p.s. if you ever have the chance of owning a piece of Denby (even just one piece), I would highly recommend it!
A cup of tea has never tasted as good.
Luckily as part of my course I was given the amazing opportunity to visit the site where Denby Pottery collections are designed, created and sold.
We started in the studio where only 7 people start the process of turning an idea into a design where eventually millions are to be sold (6 million pieces are sold a year-to be precise!) Here they create new designs, patterns and glazes, they model any new ideas using a 3D printer which decreases their lead time from idea to production as it is able to print out 10 models in 30 minutes/1 hour (wowee) and they also forecast the trends for upcoming years so they know what will sell and what will not.
To say there's only 7 of them; each member of that team is so valuable.
I felt so giddy just listening to what they do, who would know what I'd be like if I were to be so lucky to work there!
Then progressing onto the factory floor, the speed that the employees were working at was incredible. It puts the many months I put into manufacturing just one piece of furniture, never mind 130,000 pieces a week, to shame.
The technicality of the robot arms that create dishes, mugs and plates repeatedly is amazing to see.
Some people have issues with robots taking over work labour that humans could carry out. I agree.. However, the speed in which these robots could carry out this task was exciting to watch; in a way I found it quite relaxing watching the process being carried out repeatedly with such accuracy and smoothness.
The primary technique that my course mate and I were interested in, was an operation called 'Slip Casting'.
Here I'm a bit stuck. I don't know whether to fill you in of the process or not? Hmm.
Well I suppose I have kind of offered it you now, however rather than reading more dribble drabble from myself, right down at the bottom is a video that will answer any question you have about slip casting, as well as the whole Denby process.
After the newly created pieces had gone through the biscuit kiln, it was time for them to be glazed!
I was intrigued to how this action were to be carried out. (Yes, I suppose I had been intrigued all the way through-but this even more so!)
Before I came to Denby I had never heard the word glaze/glazed' and the word itself was so captivating (and it did also remind me of Krispy Kreme).
Anyway, there were multiple ways in which a glaze could be applied to a piece. In large batches, all at once, individually, hand painted and even dipped into the glaze.
My favourite collection of Denby's is the 'Halo' collection; the accuracy of the glaze on that is admirable!
The patterns were all placed on individually.
Walking through the factory near the end; loud crashes, and gentle taps could be heard. Here was the testing area and it was an absurd department.
Employees stood tapping teapots to hear if they were correct and suitable for sale. Shattering sounds as the drop test was carried out on only a few pieces. I was stood there in amazement.
It was a whole other world, a world that was different and far from anything I had ever experienced and yet and I would go back so many more times to watch the whole process again.
There are tours available (no, I'm not part of their advertising department), but I understand that the comfort of your own home sounds much more appealing.
So, if you are interested to learn more and want to actually see how these pieces are created-rather than read my ramblings-then below (along with the Slip Casting process) is a video that Denby themselves have created.
It makes everything I have told you a hell of a lot more interesting and I am thankful for you to have read this whole (actually quite pointless) blog. Well done you!
p.s. if you ever have the chance of owning a piece of Denby (even just one piece), I would highly recommend it!
A cup of tea has never tasted as good.