Form Meets Feeling in Porcelain

Inspiration

The YUAN series takes its point of departure from the circle, a universal form that transcends time and culture. While simple in appearance, the circle has long carried deep symbolic weight: in Eastern philosophy it reflects balance, harmony, and the cyclical nature of life, while in Western contexts it often represents unity, wholeness, and eternity. In YUAN, the circle is not merely a shape but a cultural metaphor that opens a space for dialogue between traditions and contemporary perspectives. By grounding the collection in this symbol, the project brings attention to the values of continuity and connection, qualities often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world. The inspiration thus lies not only in form but also in meaning — a way of making visible the invisible relationships between time, culture, and daily rituals. YUAN demonstrates how a timeless geometric figure can embody shared human values, offering viewers and users a familiar yet renewed lens through which to experience porcelain in the present moment.

Craft

YUAN is developed and produced in Hamburg, where every stage of the making process unfolds with precision and care. The work begins with sketches and digital models, which serve as the basis for plaster molds. Slip casting allows for consistency in form, but the individuality of each object emerges through hand-finishing, where edges are refined, surfaces are smoothed, and proportions are adjusted. This step highlights the human presence in the process and reaffirms the value of touch even in the making stage. Each piece then undergoes bisque firing and high-temperature firing, transforming fragile clay into durable porcelain. The surfaces combine raw, matte areas with smooth, glazed ones, creating subtle tactile contrasts that invite exploration by hand and eye. By uniting digital planning with manual skill, YUAN demonstrates how traditional porcelain techniques can merge with contemporary approaches, resulting in objects that are both precise and sensorial, functional and poetic. The making process itself becomes a dialogue between technology and craftsmanship.

Meaning

At its core, YUAN addresses the rhythms of everyday life and the role objects play in shaping them. In a time when routines are increasingly accelerated and dominated by digital interfaces, the collection proposes an alternative: to slow down, to notice, and to be present. The weight, temperature, and texture of porcelain become vehicles for sensory awareness, turning ordinary actions like drinking tea or coffee into moments of reflection. By combining minimal forms with symbolic depth, YUAN shows how design can enrich daily rituals without overwhelming them. The project also emphasizes porcelain’s cultural resonance: for centuries, it has traveled across continents as both a material of trade and a carrier of meaning. YUAN continues this tradition by translating heritage into contemporary language, positioning porcelain as a medium for encounter and exchange. Ultimately, the series is not only about objects but about relationships — between user and material, between tradition and innovation, and between different cultural perspectives.