Ceramics MA

Following a first degree in 3D Design at Loughborough University, Alex enrolled on a Masters in Ceramic Design at Staffs and graduated in July 2015.

“The course, and art and design faculty as a whole at Staffordshire, has a great reputation, really good industry links and offers fantastic facilities.”

The 24-year-old set up a studio at a creative hub in Burslem with two fellow Staffs graduates, Jasmine Simpson and Jade Simpson. Visitors to their Tame Studios workshop at the newly-restored Middleport Pottery will be able to watch them in action and buy their finished work.

The friends are also planning to hold ceramics workshops at Middleport to demonstrate a range of skills, techniques and processes, as well as working with fellow creatives based at the historic site to hold events and exhibitions.

“Providing these workshops will enable us to promote ceramics within the area and get more people interested and involved in it,” says Alex, “as well as the opportunity to promote our craft and what recent Staffordshire graduates have to offer.

As well as building up her own business, Alex has done freelance work for Churchill China, designing new surface designs for a collection of mugs to be launched in spring/summer 2016.

She is also making a name for herself at events around the country, and recently won a showcase award at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, presented by the craft shop from Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, where she will hold a solo exhibition in April and May 2016.

“Studying MA Ceramic Design at Staffs has played a huge role in getting me to where I am now. I’m extremely passionate about ceramics and surface pattern design and it has taken a lot of hard work, drive and determination to get to this point and gain the opportunities that I have.

“The last two years at Staffordshire have enabled me to realise and develop my own approach and style to create distinctive ceramic and surface pattern design collections.

“Staffordshire also exposed me to an extensive range of both traditional and more advanced digital skills, techniques and processes, provided opportunities working on live briefs with a selection of companies within the industry as well as invaluable knowledge for continuing and developing my practice professionally once I’d graduated. It has definitely opened the door to many opportunities.”

Yuka Kikumoto chose Staffordshire Univesrity – in the heart of The Potteries – to study MA Ceramic Design and launch a career making “indispensable and enriching objects”. She has displayed her work in prestigious exhibitions in the UK, Turkey and Japan, sold items in galleries and shops, and won an international award.

“My goal is to be a world famous designer-maker. My influence and inspiration comes from a rich cultural background in Japan. I am proud to be Japanese; my work reflects my country, identity and culture.

“My passion for industrial ceramic design brought me to the UK. I researched many universities about studying ceramics and found out only Staffordshire University’s MA Ceramic Design course specialised in industrial ceramic design – that’s why I chose it.”

She has already participated in numerous shows including New Designers, Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Innovations in Ceramic Art, Ceramic in the City, Handmade in Britain and, most recently, one of the world’s biggest trade fairs, Ambiente.

“I got the Future Light award last October, which gave me the opportunity to display my work with others from all over the world. In the past three years I’ve taken part in 18 exhibitions in the UK, Turkey and Japan. I’ve sold many items at the exhibitions and I’ve also had the chance to sell in galleries and shops. I produced bespoke plates and bowls for Japanese restaurant Jidori, in London, who are selling my works and using original pieces for customers.”

As well as home, in Japan, Yuka takes inspiration from her surroundings and the practical use of the items she is producing. “The motive for my works come from the natural world, such as mountains, sky and culture. I am creating stunning contemporary ceramic designs by using slipcast techniques to create functional tableware and pushing the boundaries of everyday kitchenware. All my works concentrate on how people actually use objects but I consider most items need to have more than one use.”

“I chose the MA Ceramic Design course after seeing graduate design students’ works on the University website. I visited and talked with my professor and felt it gave me a good opportunity to be a professional designer-maker. I want to build my own design company and make indispensable and enriching objects for people’s lives.”