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Arts & crafts

Ceramics designer-maker

Ceramics designer-makers design and create products made from clay.

Annual Salary

variable

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

40 to 42 variable

You could work: in your own business; managing your own hours

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% more Ceramics designer-maker jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In a large company, you could:

  • interpret the client's ideas to create a design
  • research trends and competitor products
  • create designs for mass production
  • manage the production process and check quality
  • make sure materials are costed and production is within budget

As an independent designer-maker, you may also:

  • design and produce one-off designs and sets
  • market your own business
  • mange your business admin and finance

Working environment

You could work in a factory, in a creative studio, in a workshop or from home.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • working towards this role
  • workshop courses with a private studio
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in an art and craft subject like:

  • visual arts
  • 3D design and craft
  • ceramics
  • fine art

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a foundation diploma in art and design
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
College

You could do a Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design at college. You'll need to check that the course covers ceramics or pottery before you start.

An interest in art and crafts is usually more important than qualifications to join a course.

For more information
Work

You could start as a design studio assistant and specialise in ceramics through workshops and training on the job.

Other routes

You could attend workshops and training courses offered by ceramic artists and design studios. These can help you to develop your skills and make contacts in the industry, which could lead to work.

Courses vary in length and cost and are often open to all abilities.

More information

Career tips

You'll need to put together a portfolio of work to show to potential employers and course providers. You can also use social media and online craft communities to market yourself and get your work recognised.

Further information

You can hear more about the life of a ceramics designer from the Crafts Council.

You can also explore other creative careers at Discover Creative Careers.

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With experience you could:become a senior designer; work as a freelance ceramics designer-maker; set up your own business; teach in schools, colleges, universities or private training providers

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • the ability to work on your own
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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