Description
Design, create, and reproduce ceramic ware for sale and exhibition using wheel throwing, hand-building, glazing, and kiln firing techniques.
- • Create functional and decorative ceramic ware by hand, using wheel throwing and hand-building methods.
- • Wedge, throw, trim, join, carve, and mold clay using hand tools, potter's wheel, and studio equipment.
- • Select clays, slips, glazes, and additives based on plasticity, color response, firing range, texture, and intended use.
- • Apply surface treatments and finishes, including slips, underglazes, stains, and glazes, to greenware and bisque.
- • Load, program, and fire kilns for bisque and glaze cycles; monitor firing schedules and perform basic kiln maintenance.
- • Develop concepts and collections for ceramic forms and surface designs.
- • Set specifications for clay bodies, wall thickness, dimensions, and glaze systems.
- • Consult with clients or retailers to assess needs, custom orders, and feedback.
- • Create molds, bats, templates, and jigs to guide consistent production.
- • Produce prototypes and test tiles to refine forms and glaze recipes.
- • Market work through online shops, social media, galleries, and studio sales.
- • Develop packaging, display, and pricing strategies for ceramic goods.
- • Research ceramic trends, firing techniques, venues, and customer preferences to inform designs and marketing.
- • Use design software to plan forms, decals, stamps, or laser-cut templates.
- • Plan and attend craft fairs, markets, and exhibitions to sell and promote work.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
