Ceramics designer or maker
Career outlook for ceramics designer or maker
Average UK salary
£24,960
Currently employed in Scotland
1,700
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would design and produce practical goods like cups, plates, bowls and other items made of clay for people to use.
You’d come up with ideas for kitchenware, tableware, tiles and decorative items which people will find attractive as well as useful.
You would need to be able to explain ideas through sketches or computer images. You will also need to have good communication skills.
If you work for a large company you might work with clients who will commission your company to produce goods for them. You’d use materials including bone china, hard porcelain, earthenware and stoneware.
You would interpret the product requirements, called 'briefs', and create designs that the company can mass produce. You might also oversee the production, although increasingly this now happens abroad.
As a self-employed designer-maker you would design one-off items or create just a few copies of each design. You might make the items yourself by hand or using a mould or potter's wheel. You’d also decorate them yourself with paint and glazes and fire them in a kiln.
You’d sell your creations:
- From your own studio, gallery or shop
- At craft fairs or exhibitions
- Through other shops or galleries
You’d need to make sure that your products are likely to appeal to the public. You’d keep up to date with trends by carrying out research and attending trade fairs and exhibitions.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
39%
Part-time
19%
Self employed
42%
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- Building relationships
- Creative
- Designing
- Innovative
- Attention to detail
- Self esteem
- Negotiating
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but most people have a qualification in art and design, specialising in ceramic art or 3D craft design.
To enter a 3D design Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) requires National 4/5 qualifications and two Highers.
To enter a degree (SCFQ level 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers at BBC. Most courses ask for a portfolio of your work.
There are currently no specific ceramics degree courses in Scotland; entry to other UK courses will usually require Highers, Advanced Highers or a relevant HNC/HND and a portfolio.
Gray's School of Art at Robert Gordon University offers a degree course in Three Dimensional Design. Entry requirements are three Highers at BBC including English and Art and Design.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- Administration
- ICT
- Finance
- Business
- Languages
- Social studies
- Religious and moral education
You will also need
You normally need good eyesight and normal colour vision.