Ceramic tree measuring cups

In August of 2017 myself and Alana Bradon-Parsons created and designed Ceramic tree measuring cups through digital fabrication processes.

We started with research which eventually evolved into our initial sketches. We also explored creating differing textures through a mixture of mud-box and rhino software.

Once we had our idea we moved into the technicalities. Each measuring cup needed to hold a specific volume so we had to calculate the exact measurements, specifically height as the radius would stay the same since they needed to be stacked.

We moved into creating the Rhino models of the cups after this.

We then created the 3d models from our exact measurements that we had calculated.

Also after experimenting with curved and flush edges we made the decision to fillet the top and bottom rims because it was more aesthetic and felt more modern.

We then proceeded to add the bark texture to the cup models.

We transferred the bark texture that we had created in mud-box into rhino and made it from a mesh into a poly surface. Wrapping the texture around the cups we then proceeded to union the cups and textured surface together. We the cut the cups in half to prepare them for the plaster blocks for CNC.

We then had to measure and model each of the plaster blocks in Rhino and placed each half of the cups inside the blocks where they will be cut out with the CNC. We also added positive and negative dimples so that they sit in place when each half is put together.

We then moved into the wet-labs to slip cast the cups. We repeated the casting process four times for each cup, just incase any were to crack or explode in the kiln when being fired.

Once the cups are taken out of the moulds we left them to dry, once dry we cleaned up and felted the edges to get the desired finish that we were after. The handles were made and added by hand before the drying process.

The cups were then moved into the kiln to be fired. Once fired we then added a white glossy glaze by using the spray glaze on greenware technique. Once dried they were complete.