Govy Ngwa Tebụl Seramiiki by Kayoko Nishii

Govy Ngwa Tebụl Seramiiki by Kayoko Nishii is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Ngwá Ịme Achịcha, Ngwá Tebụl, Ngwá Ịṅụ Ihe na Ngwá Esi Nri Competition Category.

BronzNgwá Kichin· 2026

Govy Ngwa Tebụl Seramiiki

by Kayoko Nishii

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Ngwá Kichin Category

6,670
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180643

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Govy Ngwa Tebụl Seramiiki

Govy bụ nchịkọta ngwa tebụl seramiiki emere site n'usoro nrụnye ụrọ nwere ọtụtụ ọkwa. A na-adọkọta mpempe ụrọ dị mkpa dị mkpịrịkpị ma pịkọta ha ọnụ ka ụdị eriri osisi si n'ime ihe ahụ pụta apụta kama ịbụ ihe ịchọ mma a na-etinye n'elu ya. Eriri ahụ bụ akụkụ nke ahụ seramiiki ahụ, ya mere usoro ọkwa ahụ na-aga n'ihu n'elu, n'okpuru, n'akụkụ na n'ime ebe ọ bụla a kpọwara ibe ọ bụla. A nwalere ihe karịrị iri ise ụdị ụrọ maka ndakọrịta agba na mkpakọ n'oge a na-ekpo ha ọkụ. Nchịkọta ahụ gụnyere iko, efere mmiri na efere n'agba anọ nke ụcha osisi.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

Govy Ngwa Tebụl Seramiiki meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Govy Ngwa Tebụl Seramiiki ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. Govy Ngwa Tebụl Seramiiki na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

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