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Q1 How did you get into ceramic design? Where did you study?
I graduated with a BFA from the University of Connecticut, where I studied fine art and graphic design. After graduation, I worked as a graphic designer for 3 years and in 2001, decided to take a ceramics class at a local arts center. It was my first experience working on the wheel and it was then that I decided to change my career path and work towards becoming a ceramic artist and designer. |
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Over the next couple of years, I focused on perfecting my skills and spent all my free time throwing. I took various assistant positions at different ceramic studios and by 2004, I was able to set up my own shop where I started designing and producing my own body of work.
Q2 What do you think is the most important element in your design?
While I am concerned with function, I'm really focused on the form. That's the starting point for all of my pieces.
Q3 Please tell us the process that your products was born.
My best pieces have evolved naturally through an iterative process. I was interested in ways of reinterpreting traditional wheel thrown shapes, so I began deconstructing the thrown vessels and rebuilding them to create new forms. I love curves and organic configurations, so I constructed very fluid lines that suited the forms that I was making. |
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Q7 Could you tell us about a project that you are working on right now?
I'm continuing to produce pieces from my current lines for private clients as well as boutiques and galleries throughout the U.S. I'm also working through some ideas for new pieces which I hope to start producing soon.
Q8 Is there a dream project that you'd like to do?
I'm living my dream.
Q9 What is your business motto mantra?
Love what you do, do it well and honestly and good things will come your way.
Q10 Would you like to add anything for the Japanese fans?
I ship internationally : ) |
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Kim Westad, a ceramic designer based in New York, designs and produces a unique line of porcelain vessels. Her pieces seamlessly infuse the clean lines of modern design with style as well as function.
Kim has been designing and producing work professionally since 2004 and has been featured in several national design publications. One of her signature designs- the Whirl Serving Dish - will be included in the upcoming book 500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expressions of Function & Style, curated by Linda Arbuckle and published by Lark books.
Kim's work is sold in galleries and boutiques throughout the United States and her pieces are part of private collections in North America, Europe, and Australia. Her work is available through several online venues and will also be available through her own website, www.kimwestad.com, later this season. |
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I started out altering vases and that led to the design of my Crocus Vase. From there, I started experimenting with bowls and realized that those pieces could be reconstructed not only to reinterpret the forms but also to create a specific function. That experimentation led to the design of my Whirl Platters and Olive Dishes. My Pebble Cups and Pebble Bowls also evolved naturally. The process of making my work is a very sensory experience for me and I'm always very aware of how something feels in my hands. I started experimenting with slip as a way to enhance the tactile and visual qualities of my pieces. As with my altered forms, my surface designs started out on vases. People really responded to those pieces, so I started using the slip designs on bowls and cups since those are pieces that get used and handled everyday.
Q4 Is there a designer (or an artist) who inspires you the most?
Eva Zeisel is definitely at the top of the list. |
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Q5 Who is your average customer and what are they like?
I can't really say that I have an average customer. People of all different backgrounds and ages seem to appreciate my work.
Q6 Could you tell us the work you enjoyed the most so far?
It was definitely the experimentation and process of designing the Whirls.
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