Plycelain 餐具系列 by Yuting Chang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award 金獎 in 廚具設計 Competition Category.

金廚具· 2021

Plycelain 餐具系列

by Yuting Chang

Client: Yuting Chang

A' Design Award 金獎 Winner in 廚具 Category

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Colors

The Design

About Plycelain 餐具系列

Plycelain—由Yuting Chang結合夾板同瓷器而創造嘅名稱—係一個多層注漿成型飲具系列。Chang透過應用注漿成型呢種陶瓷大量生產技術,創作出當代版本嘅青花瓷器。通過調整注漿成型工藝,形成多層結構,喺切割面上露出細緻嘅藍線,突顯組裝部件之間嘅優美關係。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 金獎

Plycelain 餐具系列是 A' Design Award 金獎得主，這是授予一流、絕妙而傑出設計的極為崇高的認可。金獎得主是極具創新、極富遠見且璀璨奪目的創作，反映出其設計師的天才、智慧與才幹。預計Plycelain 餐具系列將成為一項備受讚譽、引領潮流、氣勢恢宏的發明，帶來前所未有的價值。這件贏得 A' Design Award 金獎的設計是一個壯觀而受人敬重的項目，極大地造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Plycelain 餐具系列激起強烈的渴望，喚起激情，鼓勵創造力，令我們著迷。

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.