A variety of ceramics

Images courtesy of Eric Rempe.

STANDARDS

Core Art Standards: VA1, VA2, VA9

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Backward Design

Expressive Vessels

Use what you’ve learned about form and function to design a mug—but start with the handle!


Backward Design

Project Prompt:

  • When most people design mugs, they begin with the vessel, and the handle is an afterthought.
  • Flip this process around: First, design the handle for a mug. Then design a vessel that relates to the handle.


Parameters:

  • Start by sketching designs for handles.
  • Make prototypes of your three favorite designs. Ask a classmate to hold each one. Discuss what they like about it and why.
  • Pick your most successful handle and design a mug to go with it.
  • Remember to think about the relationship between form and function. How can you emphasize it?
  • Your mug might be silly or serious, kitschy or classic. But no matter what, draw attention to the handle!


Experiment at Home:

Hold each of the mugs in your kitchen. Which one is the most awkward to hold? Sketch a design to improve it.


Before you begin, check out these examples by Eric Rempe’s students at Princeton Day School in Princeton, New Jersey!


Expressive Vessels


Students from Winston Campus Junior High in Palatine, Illinois, used ceramic techniques to create expressive vessels. Click through to see helpful tips and inspiring examples before creating your own ceramic vessel.

Download the full lesson plan here.

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