Our task was to create a place setting consisting of a cup, a plate and an implement based on our project partners. My assigned partner for this project was Keith Murray.
The first thing I did once assigned this brief was to conduct an interview with Keith. I asked him various questions and took down his answers. I then went away and researched various aspects of the brief. I researched dictionary definitions of a plate, a cup and an implement. This gave me more of an idea of what I would be required to create.
Having done this I examined Keith's answers to my interview questions. I drew out a list and looked for common links. I found he had strong Irish roots, close family ties and a love of rural Ireland. I researched Irish ceramics hoping to find a style that I could use to represent my findings. I began to zoom in on Irish sponge ware. I looked first at classical examples before moving onto more modern versions of the style finishing with sponge ware methods and techniques.
I carried on my research into plate, cup and implement definitions and then started drawing out possible solutions for each factoring in the different parts of which they each consist. For example a plate consists of, a rim, a base and a foot. Each aspect of the plate leaves room for different scope to convey a information about my subject to the viewer. A larger base but thin rim might indicate greed or decadence.
I decided that my current information about Keith was more of a general overview than a true assessment of his character and created more questions to set to him. Once I had acquired his new answers I began creating new brainstorms and searching for even stronger links.
I settled on two phrases 'Down to Earth' and 'Made by Hand'. I then brainstormed these two phrases and simplified it into hands, texture and earthy. From these phrases I then started considering red earthenware and traditional handmade objects, perhaps with organic references.
