In 2019, I designed a ceramic water bowl for cats as part of a course project. The inspiration came from an everyday situation: my cats often drank from a pitcher on the kitchen table. At first, this wasn’t a problem, but it became awkward when guests assumed the water in the pitcher was meant for them (which was, understandably, a logical conclusion). I wanted to design a bowl that would clearly stand apart from human tableware and be intended solely for cats.

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The bowl’s dimensions (158 × 158 × 158 mm) allow cats to drink without having to bend all the way down to the floor, making the experience more comfortable. I chose ceramic as the material for its durability, hygiene, and beautiful surface. The glaze was created using a technique where the glaze is frothed with soap, resulting in an interesting and unique pattern.

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Originally, I imagined designing a very simple bowl, but the slip-casting technique made the form surprisingly challenging. Producing the mold required three models, and the final mold was four-part. The cubic shape, in particular, proved demanding, as slip clay easily collapses. This was a valuable learning experience with slip clay as a material and with mold- and model-making. The project also developed my creativity, patience, and problem-solving skills, since I had never worked with slip clay before and had unknowingly designed quite an ambitious form.

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Despite the challenges, I managed to preserve the cubic shape, and the piece held together through firing. A slight asymmetry in the final result brought organic character that suited the design perfectly. Although unexpected obstacles arose along the way, the outcome was so successful that it made the entire process worthwhile and strengthened my belief in the importance of persistence in design.

The bowl has been in active use by my cats, confirming that I succeeded in combining an aesthetically pleasing household object with a functional item they enjoy using.

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Course project | Prototype, 2019

Studiotuotannon tekniikat ja materiaalit (“Studio Production Techniques and Materials”), Aalto ARTS

Material: Ceramic

Size: 158 × 158 × 158 mm

Keywords: User-centered design, Prototyping, Material exploration (ceramics), Mold and model making, Functionality & aesthetics, Problem-solving