From pottery design to fluted tiles, the world of ceramic design explained

Handbuilding is one of the oldest pottery technique. It involves creating shapes by using hands, fingers, and basic tools. Pinching the clay, coil building, and slab building are the most common ways to create volumes. Traditionally the shaped object is then enriched with engraved decoration created by hand or with tolls on the raw clay. Hand techniques allow mixing ceramics with other materials as well such as paper pulp, which offers extra stability.

Throwing pottery is a very common way to shape clay into round ceramic ware. While the art piece spins on its axis the craftsman shape it with his hands and simple tools. The wheel may also be used for applying incised decoration on the final piece.

Casting and slip casting are techniques generally used to form complex shapes and involve the use of a mould. In Slip casting, a liquid clay body is poured into openable plaster moulds. A layer of clay forms on the inside walls of the mould while drying. In order to create a hollow cast, once the plaster has absorbed most of the liquid on the outer layer, the remaining liquid is poured off. After most water has been absorbed, the cast piece is removed from the mould and allowed to dry out for several more hours.