Govy 陶瓷餐具 by Kayoko Nishii is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 廚具設計 Competition Category.

銅廚具· 2026

Govy 陶瓷餐具

by Kayoko Nishii

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 廚具 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 陶瓷餐具

Govy 係一套用層疊黏土工藝製作嘅陶瓷餐具系列。透過將薄黏土片層壓同壓縮，令木紋圖案由材料內部自然浮現，而唔係喺表面加上裝飾。木紋成為陶瓷坯體嘅一部分，所以層疊結構會延續到每件作品嘅表面、底部、邊緣同橫切面。設計團隊測試咗超過五十種陶土配方，以確保燒製過程中嘅色彩協調同收縮率。呢個系列包括馬克杯、碗同碟，共有四種木色調可供選擇。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Govy 陶瓷餐具是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Govy 陶瓷餐具將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Govy 陶瓷餐具出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

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