DESIGNER OF THE MONTH

Designerofthemonth Emma Alington

The ceramics designer shares her creative process for producing handmade pieces that are both beautiful and functional

Emma Alington has been creating beautiful, hand-thrown ceramics since 2013. Once an old Scout hut, her Berkshire studio ’ s rustic walls are covered with inspirational imagery, ‘like an ever-changing mood board’ . Following fashion ’ s foray with scallop patterns, her new collection features decorative ric-rac trims.

Talk us through the design process.

‘I’ m a 3D thinker, so everything takes shape on the potter ’ s wheel. My ideas for new forms typically come from things that I love and use around my home already. Once I’ ve created a shape, I then ensure it ticks all the functionality boxes before having plaster moulds made, followed by initial slip casts. Batches are made in bone china at the factory in Stoke- on-Trent, then sent to us at the studio to decorate. I love experimenting with different clays and glazes. ’

Tell us a little bit about your new Black Scallop collection.

‘I wanted something a little bolder than my Dots and Stripes range. The pattern was created using ink and a brush on paper, so it has a lovely freehand feel. It’ s important to me to keep a slight ripple in each ceramic shape as a nod to the hand-thrown process, so the two tie in beautifully together. ’ What’s your design ethos? ‘Beauty and function combined with quality craftsmanship. There ’ s a growing scene of British-made ceramics and it’ s exciting to be a part of it –- it’ s important to keep the heritage alive. ’

Sum up your style in three words.

‘Timeless, tactile and elegant. ‘