Pottery and Such

1. For starters, tell us a little bit about the idea of this business. What led you to want to sell one of a kind handmade clay works?

I grew up in Multan. A city that has a long history of pottery making, and as a child, I was always fascinated by the intricate designs and vibrant colours around me. I realised that I could bring my own unique perspective to this traditional craft by fusing the rich cultural heritage of my city, with modern design elements. I wanted to create something that is both timeless and contemporary. Ultimately, what led me to want to sell my pottery designs is the desire to share this unique and beautiful craft with others, and to offer a fresh take on something that has been a part of our heritage.

“I grew up in Multan… and as a child, I was always fascinated by the intricate designs and vibrant colours around me.”

2. You studied graphic design. What similarities do find between that and product design?

As someone who has experience with both communication design and now product design, I have come to appreciate the many similarities that exist between these two fields. At their core, they are both about creating visual representations of ideas that are functional and aesthetically pleasing. Both fields require a deep understanding of form, colour, texture, and composition, as well as an ability to balance form and function to create a cohesive and compelling design. Ultimately, whether you’re designing a logo or a piece of pottery, the goal is the same: to create something that communicates a clear message, evokes emotion, and is visually pleasing to the eye.

“Ultimately, whether you’re designing a logo or a piece of pottery, the goal is the same: to create something that communicates a clear message, evokes emotion, and is visually pleasing to the eye.”

3. Walk us through your design process. 

My design process typically starts with sketching out rough ideas, illustrations, and patterns on paper. I find that this helps me to visualise my concepts and explore different design possibilities before I get to work. Once I am done thumb-nailing my ideas, I’ll start creating digital designs. Here, I’ll refine my ideas and explore different colour schemes, textures, and layouts until I’m happy with the final composition. I then work with my team to translate it onto the pottery piece, ensuring that each piece is unique and has that hand-crafted touch. Overall, my design process is a combination of traditional sketching and digital design techniques. I’m grateful to have a talented team of artisans who help me bring my vision to life and I’m always excited to see what we can create together. I believe that pottery is not only a form of artistic expression but also something that can be used and enjoyed in daily life. With this in mind, I design each piece of pottery to be both beautiful and functional, so that people can use them to enhance their daily routines and appreciate them as works of art. I want my pottery designs to be something that people can use, cherish, and pass down to future generations.

“I design each piece of pottery to be both beautiful and functional, so that people can use them to enhance their daily routines and appreciate them as works of art.”

4. The blue and white colour scheme is very reminiscent of Multani pottery, but the  images on your products are very illustrative and avant garde. What inspires your designs?

I’m drawn to the bold, graphic style of street art and the intricate, decorative patterns of traditional blue pottery, and I strive to incorporate elements of both in my work. By doing so, I’m able to create a fusion of the traditional and the contemporary. I am also inspired by the unique qualities that pottery itself has to offer. I love exploring new techniques and experimenting with different colour palettes and shapes, while also playing around with natural materials, textures, and forms.

5. One of our favourite pieces is the ‘Carry Me Plate’. Please walk us through the inspiration and the design for that piece.

The ‘Carry Me Plate’ is a pottery piece that features a pair of hands on the surface of the plate. The hands are positioned in such a way that they create a cradle or holder for other objects that can be placed on the plate. In some ways, the ‘Carry Me Plate’ is also a reflection of the role that pottery has played in human history, having been used for thousands of years to create vessels for holding and carrying water, food, and other essential items. Overall, the hands on the design signify the importance of holding onto the things that matter most to us, and the plate itself is a conduit for carrying those precious items in our lives, whether that’s food, jewellery, or other small items.

“The ‘Carry Me Plate’… (signifies) the importance of holding onto the things that matter most to us, and the plate itself is a conduit for carrying those precious items in our lives…”

6. So far, you have jars, lamps, plates and vases. Are there other things in the pipeline that you could tell us? What should we wait for?

Yes, there are several other products in the pipeline that I’m excited to introduce in the near future. We are currently experimenting with some new colours, shapes, and forms. We have been working on some sculptural vases and statement lamps, as well as some platters and candle holders, that really showcase the patterns and designs that are at the heart of our brand. We’re also playing around with some new glazing techniques. I have recently been experimenting with crystalline glazes, which create a unique crystallised texture on the surface of the pottery. I’m really excited to see how that one turns out!

7. If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be?

If given the opportunity, collaborating with Jean-Michel Basquiat would be a dream come true. I would love to see how his use of text and symbols, as well as his unique style that blends elements of street art, graffiti, and fine art, would translate into our pieces.

“Collaborating with Jean-Michel Basquiat would be a dream come true! I would love to see how his  use of text and symbols, as well as his unique style that blends elements of street art, graffiti, and fine art, would translate into our pieces.”