Design Engineering

Alongside my designs for pieces, turning narratives into 3D images using clay, I have been drawing on skills I haven't previously paid much attention to. That isn't to say I don't use them regularly. Far from it. It's simply that I'm only now recognising that not only do I have these skills, but that I employ them almost daily without a second thought. Things you don't know, you don't know, which brings me to Johari's Window, a self awareness model representing different aspects of the self. I was first taught this model during teacher training back in my twenties and it's stood with me throughout life. Never more so than during my MA. Virtually every month I'm informed of an aspect of myself that I haven't recognised, but others have. It's a very apt model indeedy!

The skills which I note are the engineering side of projects. I refer to taking an idea from the design stage and wading through the logistics, identifying needs, tools, materials, consumables, timeframes, schedules, etc, before you can start the overall build.

My career as an ICT teacher relied on my being able to break a project down into manageable chunks and to devise timeframes for delivery of the learning. Tasks were sequenced methodically in a logical order to allow successful completion by pupils. I'm not sure if this was the start of me honing these skills, or if they were always there and I just utilised them in my skillset as a teacher.

Whatever the origins of these abilities, it is only with this current project that I have identified not only do I enjoy this aspect of a build, but I think I'm quite good at it. I'll take you through my current project, as an example

Firstly I identify what I want to build. In this case, a more complex version of an origami inspired cat that needed to be adapted so that it incorporated the look of Scrawny, one of my characters, and also so that it could be built in clay (Pic 1). At this point I look to fold the origami piece, but this isn't always possible as that is an artform in itself. I then complete the design sketch.

Pic 1

The next step is to turn this design sketch into one for a 3D build in clay, rather than paper. This is where I try to retain the origami feel, but have to simplify the build so that it is suitable for the different media. I identify as many changes as is required, alongside how many pieces I will need to cut out. Additionally, I note any extra pieces necessary for building in clay (I refer to these as fillets) (Pic 2).

Pic 2

The next part of the process involves me drawing each component part onto a sheet of A4 paper. If I wish to resize, both larger or smaller, I can do it at this stage simply by using a photocopier. Each piece is labelled with how many I require (Pic 3).

Pic 3

With my slabs rolled and leatherhard, it is a simple task to cut out the pieces. With a more complex build, it is necessary to keep the templates atop the pieces in order to identify them during the build (Pic 4).

Pic 4

The challenge in assembling the pieces is where to start. I have to think through the whole build process so that the pieces will go together in the best order. I aim for the most logical build incorporating piece sizes, weight distribution, vulnerable parts that may break, sequencing and order so that all possibilites are considered, and timeframes so that the clay stays equally moist (Pics 5 & 6).

Pic 5

Pic 6

When the piece is completed, I then wrap it loosely to slow down the drying process, hoping to avoid any cracks that are common with slab rolling. After a week of this, the piece is usually dry enough for firing. Beforehand, I repair any cracks with a vinegar slip and allow them to dry (Pic 7).

Pic 7

Finally, the work goes for bisque firing and then I offer my thanks to the kiln gods and hope for the best. I have little control over that part.

Capital Nurse (2025) Johari's Window (1955). Available at: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Johari%20window.pdf (Accessed 12 August 2025)