Additionally, I posted on some of the previously discussed forums to get direct responses to my questions.
Ceramics Arts Network
This forum is specifically for the pottery community, therefore I took this opportunity to learn more about the professional requirements and challenges.
The message posted:
“Hi all,
I am a keen potter [having studied at school, taught at camp and now engaging with pottery at home]. For my masters thesis in UX Psychology , I am looking at how I could develop a digital interface to enhance the pottery experience at home. [emphasis on enhance, not replace nor distract from the physical experience]
If you engage with pottery at home, I'd love to know:
- how did you start? [e.g did you take a class, see it online etc]
- what are you using [e.g store bought materials, pottery kits]
- what are the challenges you face doing pottery at home?
- do you think integrating a digital element, such as an app, with your practise could improve the pottery experience? how do you see a digital element aiding you while you practise pottery at home?
Your input is so appreciated.
Thank you!”
Responses
| User |
How did you start? |
Materials |
Challenges |
Digital Experience |
| 1 [JK] |
|
|
|
|
| Older male |
Took a basic class which led to taking 3 college courses. |
Store bought materials |
Making enough time to spend in the studio |
Nope...it's kind of hard to mess with a phone or tablet when my hands are covered in slip! |
| 2 [P] |
|
|
|
|
| Older male - professional |
- Learned when in final year of undergrad |
|
|
|
- Over years needs have changed due to arthritis, finding new ways to adapt
- over 50 years of experience | | - Learning curve, lots of learn and requires rime investment | Doubts anything could be done now that hasn't been done to make it easier or better. |
| 3 [D]
Older female | - In school, aged 11
- “I realised that clay was magic and I could make anything with it”
- Took every ceramics class in high school and later got a degree in fine arts with a ceramics focus. | - Home studio
- Local ceramic supply store | - Having your own studio - miss being around others to bounce ideas and get critiques | - Uses Genesis app to control kilns |
| 4 [CBD]
Middle age female - professional potter | - Started in high school art class [30 years ago]
- Went on to get a BFA in ceramics. | - “They don’t really do kits for individual pottery projects, like you sometimes see with knitting or small woodworking projects”
- Buys boxes of clay 10 at a time, glaze materials in 50 lb bags, and has owned most of own tools for a decade or more | - Misses the social aspect of working with a group. | |
| 5 [MT] | - Art class | - manufacturer's clay; dry materials to make glazes; wheel | - No face to face communication with other potters. | - With regard to a digital assistant, planning on upgrading to a new iPad so that they can run the latest google app. "hands free’ to voice control videos and playlists |
| 6 [TM] | - Saw a throwing demonstration and wanted to learn so enrolled at college classes
| - Buying from pottery supply stores, in person to avoid shipping fees | - Not being in studio can be lonely
- Lack of space | - Wants feedback on Wii profile, e.g height, width etc. |
Reddit
Given the possibility for large responses via Reddit, my post focused on targeting at home potters and understanding their motivations and challenges
