Plycelain Fa'aputuga o Ipu Fai'aiga by Yuting Chang

Plycelain Fa'aputuga o Ipu Fai'aiga by Yuting Chang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award Auro in Meafale Umukuka Competition Category.

AuroMeafale Umukuka· 2021

Plycelain Fa'aputuga o Ipu Fai'aiga

by Yuting Chang

Client: Yuting Chang

A' Design Award Auro Winner in Meafale Umukuka Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #110554

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Colors

The Design

About Plycelain Fa'aputuga o Ipu Fai'aiga

O le Plycelain - o se fa'aupu na folafolaina e Yuting Chang e tu'ufa'atasia ai le laupapa fa'apipi'i ma le ipu omea lelei - o se aoina o ipu inu e tele ona tuuga fausia i le faiga su'iga o le omea suavai. Ua faia e Chang se fa'aliliuga fa'aonaponei o ipu lanumoana ma le pa'epa'e e ala i le fa'aogaina o le faiga su'iga o le omea suavai, o le metotia o le gaosiga tele o mea omea. I le fetuutuunai o le faiga o le su'iga o le omea suavai, e fa'atupuina ai tuuga, ma e fa'aalia laina lanumoana mafolafola i luga o pito na tipiina, lea e fa'amamafaina ai le so'otaga matagofie i le va o vaega na fa'apipi'iina.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Auro

O le A' Design Award Auro na manumalo ai Plycelain Fa'aputuga o Ipu Fai'aiga, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu o le tulaga muamua, matagofie ma maoaʻe. O ē manumalo i le Auro o galuega fou tele, matuā vaai i le lumanaʻi ma susulu e faaalia ai le atamai, le poto ma le tomai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Plycelain Fa'aputuga o Ipu Fai'aiga e avea ma mea fou e matuā vivii, e faatulaga ai uiga fou ma tetele, e tuuina mai ai se tau e leʻi iai muamua. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Auro o se galuega ofoofogia, ua faaaloalogia, e aogā tele ma tuleia atu tapulaʻa o le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi. Plycelain Fa'aputuga o Ipu Fai'aiga e fatuina ai lagona malosi o le manaʻo, faaosofia le tuinanau, faalauiloa le fatufatuaʻi ma faamalosia i tatou.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Plycelain -a term coined by the designer combining plywood and porcelain- is a collection of multilayered slip casting drinkware. The designer creates a contemporary version of blue and white ware through applying slip casting, the mass-production technique of ceramics. By adapting the process of slip casting, layers form, and subtle blue lines are exposed on the cut surfaces, which emphasize the beautiful relationship between assembled parts.
Dimensions & Packaging: Cup : 114 x 89 x 70 (mm)
Big Saucer : 133 x 133 x 13 (mm)
Bowl : 114 x 114 x 60 (mm)
Espresso Cup : 70 x 93 x 53 (mm)
Small Saucer : 114 x 114 x 13 (mm)
Tags: Tableware, Porcelain, Slipcasting,
Production Technology: Slipcasting, Porcelain
Design Challenge: The challenge was each layer of the pieces requires precision and good timing to form a proper thickness during slip casting. Also, the assembling and fettling works before bisque firing are crucial.
Research: Blue-and-white ware was the most classic and influential type of Chinese porcelain before industrialization. After the invention of mass production techniques, porcelain ware can be slipcasted, and embellishments can be applied by transfer-printing. The manufacturing process is about large quantities of standardized products and unconcerned with the aesthetics of craftsmanship. The designer asked herself: how to utilize mass production techniques while keeping the genuineness of the craftsmanship spirit and create a new version of blue-and-white?

The designer tries to find the balance between tradition and modernity by transforming mass production techniques- slipcasting. She started with the idea of creating a pattern without actually painting on the clay like the traditional way. Gradually, the concept of patterning by layering casting formed.

Unlike traditional decorative blue-and-white, which embellishments are glazed on the outer surface, the patterns on Plycelain are composed of the cross-section of each functional component, such as mugs’ handles and saucers’ feet. The delicate blue lines are embedded internally during the process of slipcasting and become visible where the pieces are trimmed into shape during assembly. The subtle lines bring out the beautiful relationship between assembled parts and make this collection a unique tableware design.
Inspiration: The modern update of the blue-and-white porcelain is not only regarding the appearance but also about the manufacturing process. After the invention of mass production techniques, porcelain-ware can be slipcasted, and embellishments can be applied by transfer-printing. The designer tries to find the balance between tradition and modernity by utilizing mass production techniques while keeping the genuineness of the craftsmanship spirit.
Project Duration: The project started in December 2017 in Chicago and finished in 2018.
Operation Flow: Plycelain is a tableware collection, including a cup set (with big saucer), an espresso cup set (with small saucer), and a Bowl. The design of Plycelain tableware collection is understated and humble, yet with a second look, the meticulous and innovative craftsmanship is not quiet at all.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Yuting Chang, Plycelain, 2019.
Image #2: Photographer Yuting Chang, Plycelain, 2019.
Image #3: Photographer Yuting Chang, Plycelain, 2019.
Image #4: Photographer Yuting Chang, Plycelain, 2019.
Image #5: Photographer Yuting Chang, Plycelain, 2019.