Designing a Ceramic Collection: The Slip Casting Technique
A course by Avi Ben ShoshanProduct Designer
A course by Avi Ben Shoshan, Product Designer
Make your own ceramic collection by creating simple yet adaptable molds for unique shapes using slip casting, coloring techniques, and design thinking
Slip casting is one of the most popular techniques for commercial ceramics. It uses plaster molds to shape delicate and consistent pieces, and it’s an essential part of Avi Ben Shoshan’s creative process. He is a product designer and the creative director of his own studio where he teaches, makes ceramics, and collaborates with creatives in fashion, jewelry, food, and beyond.
In this online course, Avi teaches you how to design and produce a collection of homeware items using a mold based on an everyday, ready-made object. Develop your own design language and use it to create unique ceramics from scratch. Let the versatility of clay surprise you.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 33 downloads
Tools and Materials
6 minutes, 34 seconds
The Sketching Process
7 minutes, 35 seconds
Creating the Mold 1
17 minutes, 47 seconds
Creating the Mold 2
19 minutes, 25 seconds
Preparing the Clay
15 minutes, 2 seconds
Clay Casting and Painting Techniques 1
12 minutes, 20 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know product designer Avi Ben Shoshan. Discover the creative career that led him to start his own studio, along with the influences that inspire him and the work he creates.
Dive into the tools and materials needed for the course. Then learn how to find your design language before gathering a mood board of inspiration for your project. Use your mood board to create sketches of your ceramic designs using graphics software.
Create a cylindrical plaster mold that will act as the starting point for your collection. Learn how to prepare your clay and mix different colors. Then cast it into your mold, see how to cast in two colors, and use painting techniques to make your piece unique. Transform your cylinder into three different objects: a mug, a milk pour, and a vase. Then explore the cut shape technique to develop your creative practice.
To wrap up the course, Avi shows you how to dry and care for your ceramics ahead of the first fire, glaze them, and finish the process with the second fire.
What is this course's project?
Develop your own collection of ceramic products using the slip casting technique featuring a mug, a milk pour, and a vase.
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in exploring design thinking and learning how to create their own ceramics.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required.
In terms of materials, you will need access to a kiln as well as casting clay, masking tape, a ceramic knife, clay powder, and other materials specified by the teacher in the course.
Reviews
- 17 days ago
Muy bueno! Para los que ya tienen experiencia en hacer piezas cerámicas es un poco básico, explica con mucho detalle todas las etapas. Si recién arrancas, esta muy bien!
- 1 month ago
Excellent à tous les niveau ;)
- 4 months ago
Muy bueno
- 4 months ago
I highly recommend this course! Avi Ben-Shoshan teaches not just the technique, but a whole new way of looking at ceramics through Design Thinking. The explanations of the slip-casting process are professional and clear. The focus on designing a full collection is what makes this course stand out. It’s been an inspiring journey, even for those just starting out!
- 5 months ago
Lo recomiendo
A year later, Avi started his own studio where he teaches, makes ceramics, and collaborates with creatives in fashion, jewelry, food, and beyond. He showcases his work in exhibitions and galleries and sells his products both in Tel Aviv and in shops around the world. He also shares his work with over 19K followers on Instagram.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Preparation and Design Concept
- Tools and Materials
- Design Language: Finding a Concept
- Inspirational Mood Board
- The Sketching Process
- U3
Making Ceramic Objects
- Creating the Mold 1
- Creating the Mold 2
- Preparing the Clay
- Clay Casting and Painting Techniques 1
- Clay Casting and Painting Techniques 2
- Creating the Collection 1
- Creating the Collection 2
- Creating the Collection 3
- Other Techniques
- U4
The Drying and Glazing Process
- Drying the Clay
- Glazing the Pieces
- Presenting the Collection
- FP
Final project
- Designing a Ceramic Collection: The Slip Casting Technique
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational concepts and hands-on techniques in ceramics, food design, and creative object making.
You’ll need casting clay, plaster, wooden boards, clamps, separator (like dish soap), nylon string, hand mixer, and basic sculpting tools. The course provides a detailed materials list for each step.
You’ll learn how to create organic shapes, make plaster molds, cast clay objects, apply glazes, design ritual-inspired items, and develop cohesive collections using inspiration from art, design, and fashion.
The course guides you in collecting references from Pinterest, saving images, and arranging them in Google Drive to build a mood board that informs your ceramic design concepts.
Yes, the course teaches how to reinterpret historical ceramic objects and integrate ancient pottery methods with contemporary design practices.
The Memphis Group style features bold colors, playful shapes, and geometric forms. You’ll learn how to incorporate these design elements into your ceramic creations.
Apply a plaster separator or dish soap to object surfaces before pouring plaster. This acts as a release agent and prevents plaster from adhering to the mold or original object.