Pierced, The Table Landscape: Inspired by our Past Designing for the Future

Pierced is a collection of Oven to Tableware products manufactured by Leeds Pottery. This collection of contemporary cookware and tableware is the fruit of an extensive and in-depth body of research undertaken at the V&A supported by Ceramics curator Alun Graves. This research unearthed the relationship between ornament and function in historical ceramics, how the decoration was often integral to the function of the object. The collection seeks to invent the notion of the functional decoration, using the traditional technique of piercing, where the clay is pierced by hand usually to create geometric patterns. Unique to this project, any mark or cut is integral to the function of the object, thus re-inventing this traditional area of ceramics for a contemporary market. This method of cutting by hand is almost unique and acts as trademark or identity for the collection.

Each object is handcrafted using techniques that have been employed in the Leeds Pottery for over 200 years.
Fundamental to this project was the use of new technologies to expand and enhance old processes. The designs were modelled using 3D printing technology to develop prototypes. These models were then converted for traditional manufacturing processes, exploring the notion of reverse engineering.

Anthony Quinn

Research Interests
Ceramic design, bone china, porcelain and lead crystal, products for the interior
Current Research
I am a freelance designer to the tableware, glassware and giftware sectors, my clients include British Airways, Debenhams, Wedgwood, Leeds Pottery, Studio Levien and Design Ideas Inc. I work in a range of materials from Porcelain, Bone China, Glass, Plastic and metals, designing everything from plates, cups and wine glasses to cutlery, napkins and menus. Whilst I have a strong background in manufacturing most projects will involve some degree of conceptual or strategic design.

Recent projects include:

Pierced collection for Leeds pottery: inspired by in-depth research at the V&A ceramics, glass and silver collections a collection of oven to tableware and cooking items was developed, which re-invent the concept of functional decoration. The Hothouse principal supported the development of the project using 3d printing and CADCAM technologies. Leeds Pottery manufactures the collection using hand-making techniques that have been used since 1760.

In-flight Dining for British Airways Club World: a project, which examined the way we are served and consume food whilst in the sky. A strategic re-design of the entire food delivery system in line with the Cabin refit. The project looked at redesigning the experience of dining and the way we eat, the times we eat and the experience of dining through the implementation of a new menu and the introduction of a new dinner service, which increased the notion of domesticity whilst in the sky.

The Ceramic Design Course for Thames & Hudson: A new introduction into the canon of "how to" books. This book aims to approach a well documented subject matter in a new and enlightening way. Looking at Ceramic design as a design methodology and examining the potential for conceptual development through an in-depth study of new work with in the field.

• http://www.anthonyquinndesign.com/pierce...