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DesignISCO 7314

Production potter

A production potter is a person who processes and forms clay, by hand or on a wheel, to make vessels, stoneware, earthenware and porcelain, then loads the shaped clay into kilns and heats it at high temperature to drive the water out of the body.

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Check yourself in a minute: production potter

Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

handle different pottery materials

inspect quality of products

ensure equipment availability

apply glaze coating

polish clay products

About production potter

The word production is the important part of the name. This is not one-off studio work: the same form is made repeatedly to the same dimensions, so that the pieces of a set or a series match one another.

Material knowledge decides what can be made. The potter works from a knowledge of pottery material types and of the materials used in porcelain manufacture, manages the different pottery materials in use, and prepares the balls of clay from which pieces are thrown. Each ball is prepared to the specification of the piece it will become and placed at the centre of the wheel.

Firing and finishing are where pieces are lost. The potter works with ceramic glazes, polishes the clay pieces, and examines product quality, checking the pieces before and after firing in the kiln. The potter also ensures the equipment is available and in condition before a batch goes in.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

materials in porcelain manufacturingmaterials in porcelain manufacturingCharacteristics and properties of the different raw materials such as china clay, ball clay, alumina, flint and feldspar used for the production of household ware and decorative items.materials used in stoneware manufacturingmaterials used in stoneware manufacturingCharacteristics and properties of the different materials used in the production of the vitreous ceramic made of stoneware clay, or in some cases of non-refractory fire-clay.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.ceramics glazesceramics glazesThe characteristics, compounds and application of different glaze types such as raw or frit glazes.types of pottery materialtypes of pottery materialTypes of clays and mud and their appearance, properties, reaction to fire, etc.handle different pottery materialshandle different pottery materialsTreat different recipes of clay and mud according to the genre (such as china) or the expected strength, look, colour, tradition or innovation in the creative process.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.apply glaze coatingapply glaze coatingDip the products into a specific glaze coating that will make them waterproof and fix the decorative patterns and colours after the firing process.polish clay productspolish clay productsUse abrasives to smoothen the surface of clay products such as sculptures, dolls and models working with sanding papers, manual or power tools.operate a ceramics kilnoperate a ceramics kilnManage the temperature of a kiln to achieve the expected results according to the type of clay such as biscuit stoneware or porcelain. Manage sintering and enamels colours.prepare balls of clayprepare balls of clayPrepare the balls of clay so that they are according to specifications of each end-product and position the balls in the center of the wheel.manage different ceramic firing techniquesmanage different ceramic firing techniquesManage different ceramic firing or baking techniques according to selected clay, the expect strength of the object, and enamel colours.shape clayshape clayShape clay by pressing thumbs into the center of revolving clay while revolving wheels in order to obtain as end-products ware such as vases and pitchers.use abrasive wheeluse abrasive wheelUse the specific abrasive wheel or the step in the finishing process according to the type of stone or workpiece.
Optional (16) — show
alumina ceramicalumina ceramicAluminium oxide, also called alumina, is a ceramic material made of oxygen and aluminium which has many properties suitable for insulation purposes such as hardness, low electrical conductivity and in...work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.assess conservation needsassess conservation needsAssess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.record production data for quality controlrecord production data for quality controlKeep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.handle delivery of raw materialshandle delivery of raw materialsReceive raw materials from the suppliers. Check their quality and accuracy and move them into the warehouse. Make sure that raw materials are adequately stored until they are required by the productio...monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.study craft trendsstudy craft trendsResearch and study trends in crafting, in order to keep up with current designs and marketing strategies.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.form moulding mixtureform moulding mixtureForm the moulding mixture adding specified amounts of materials, such as sand, clay, silica mud or plastic pellets, according to a fixed recipe, set up the controller of the melting tanks and monitor ...report defective manufacturing materialsreport defective manufacturing materialsMaintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.design objects to be crafteddesign objects to be craftedSketch, draw or design sketches and drawings from memory, live models, manufactured products or reference materials in the process of crafting and sculpting.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.pack fragile items for transportationpack fragile items for transportationPack fragile items such as glass panes or glass objects using the appropriate boxes and cushioning materials such as air-encapsulated plastic or customised foam enclosures to make sure the content wil...prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

ceramicist4 shared essential skillspottery and porcelain caster4 shared essential skillsrolling stock assembler3 shared essential skillsstone polisher3 shared essential skillssurface treatment operator3 shared essential skillstool grinder3 shared essential skillsabrasive blasting operator2 shared essential skillsaircraft engine assembler2 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a production potter do?

Production potters process and form clay, by hand or by using the wheel, into end-products pottery, stoneware products, earthenware products and porcelain. They introduce the already shaped clay into kilns, heating them at a high temperature in order to remove all the water from the clay.

What skills does a production potter need?

A production potter needs 15 essential skills, including materials in porcelain manufacturing, materials used in stoneware manufacturing, quality standards, ceramics glazes, types of pottery material.

Will AI replace production potter jobs?

The AI disruption score for production potter is 39/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record production data for quality control, monitor stock level, quality standards. Most resilient: form moulding mixture, handle different pottery materials, shape clay.

Quick Facts

SectorDesign
ISCO GroupHandicraft and printing workers
Essential Skills15

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