Skip to content
Govy Керамічны посуд by Kayoko Nishii

Govy Керамічны посуд by Kayoko Nishii is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Бронзавая прэмія A' Design Award in Дызайн форм для выпечкі, посуду, бакалеі і кухоннага начыння Competition Category.


БронзаКухоннае начынне· 2026

Govy Керамічны посуд

by Kayoko Nishii

Бронзавая прэмія A' Design Award Winner in Кухоннае начынне Category

Colors

The Design

About Govy Керамічны посуд

Govy — гэта калекцыя керамічнага посуду, створаная метадам паслаёвай канструкцыі з гліны. Тонкія пласты гліны ламінуюцца і сціскаюцца так, што ўзоры драўнянай тэкстуры ўзнікаюць знутры матэрыялу, а не наносяцца як павярхоўнае аздабленне. Тэкстура з'яўляецца часткай керамічнага цела, таму слаістая структура працягваецца па паверхні, ніжняй частцы, краях і папярочных сячэннях кожнага вырабу. Больш за пяцьдзясят гліняных мас былі пратэставаныя на колеравую гармонію і ўсадку падчас абпалу. Калекцыя ўключае кубкі, міскі і талеркі ў чатырох колерах драўняных адценняў.

The Recognition

About the Бронзавая прэмія A' Design Award

Govy Керамічны посуд — пераможца Бронзавай прэміі A' Design Award, высокапрэстыжнага прызнання, якое прысуджаецца выдатным дызайнам, што вылучаюцца творчасцю, вынаходлівасцю і праніклівасцю. Бронзавыя пераможцы — гэта ўмелыя і ўражліва творчыя артэфакты, якія пацвярджаюць вялікі вопыт, уяўленне і знаходлівасць сваіх дызайнераў. Чакаецца, што Govy Керамічны посуд — гэта высока цэнены, захапляльны і любімы прадмет, надзвычай прафесійны і інавацыйны. Гэты дызайн, што атрымаў Бронзавую прэмію A' Design Award, уключае лепшыя практыкі ў мастацтве, навуцы, дызайне і тэхналогіях і выдатны ўвагай да дэталей. Govy Керамічны посуд цудоўна задавальняе патрэбы, кранае жаданні, зачароўвае пачуцці і ўзбуджае цікаўнасць.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Govy is a ceramic tableware collection formed through structurally layered clay. Different clay bodies are stacked and compressed to generate wood-grain patterns that emerge from within the material rather than being applied. Circular knot-like patterns are intentionally designed through controlled layer composition. The layered structure appears consistently across the entire piece—including the surface, underside, edges, and cross-sections—unifying visual expression and internal structure. More than fifty clay bodies were tested to achieve color harmony and compatible shrinkage during firing.
Dimensions & Packaging
Mugs (Diameter x Height): Small 6.5 x 6.5 cm, Medium 8 x 8 cm, Large 9 x 9 cm.
Bowls (Owan): Small 13 x 5 cm, Medium 17 x 7 cm.
Deep Plates: 20 x 4 cm.
Plates: 13 x 2 cm, 19 x 2 cm, 24 x 2 cm, 27 x 3 cm, 33 x 3.5 cm.
Available colors: Whitewood, Oak, Cherrywood, Walnut.
Production takes approximately three weeks from mold creation, or one week when molds and clay preparation are completed.
Tags
Modular Design, Layered Clay, Ceramic Tableware, Material Structure, Nerikomi
Production Technology
Govy is produced through layered clay construction derived from traditional nerikomi techniques. More than fifty clay bodies were tested to evaluate color harmony and shrinkage compatibility. Thin clay slabs are laminated, compressed, and reformed to create stable layered structures that generate wood-like grain patterns. Mold forming enables consistent forms while preserving the natural variation inherent to the stratified clay structure.
Design Challenge
The central challenge was translating the visual richness of wooden vessels into ceramic while maintaining durability and usability. Over fifty clay bodies were tested to determine compatible color combinations and shrinkage behavior. Through layered construction, compression forming, and mold-based prototyping, stable grain structures were achieved. Nearly forty form prototypes were evaluated with professional chefs, leading to the final selection of forms and four wood-tone color options.
Research
This project investigates how layered clay techniques, including nerikomi, can generate wood-grain structures directly within ceramic tableware. Instead of surface decoration, different clay bodies are laminated and compressed so the grain becomes part of the material itself. More than fifty clay bodies were tested to examine color harmony and shrinkage behavior, while over forty plate forms were developed to study proportion, usability, and food presentation. Final selections were evaluated with professional chefs to determine effective color tones and plate proportions.
Inspiration
Govy is inspired by the structural logic of wood, where growth is recorded through layered formation. The project translates this natural process into ceramics through layered clay construction. Layers are intentionally composed and compressed so wood-like grain structures emerge from within the material rather than being applied as surface decoration. As a result, the structural depth of wood is realized in ceramic form, where visual expression and material structure are unified, creating a natural warmth that enhances the presence of food while remaining versatile across different dining contexts.
Project Duration
The project began in 2016 in the United States, with early works exhibited in a gallery context. Development continued intermittently, resumed in 2023, and was completed in November 2025.
Operation Flow
Govy functions as a flexible tableware system that adapts to different dining environments. Users can select individual pieces or combine multiple forms and sizes to create varied table settings. Four wood-tone color options allow visual pairing with different foods and personal preferences while maintaining a coherent material identity. The lightweight construction improves everyday usability, and the thickness can be adjusted during production to suit both domestic use and professional kitchens.
Image Credits
Photography Christopher Brown

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

Nominate Your Work for the A' Design Award.

Nominate