Charlotte Hanks Greenham

Dinnerware - Fusing complexity of form with simplicity of function . . .

The Goal - The dinnerware project examined the entire experience of using a plate: from scooping peas off your plate to preseting a meal, from carrying your plate to storing it, from a surface from which you eat to a sculptural conversation piece.

Opening My Eyes - For inspiration into functional form, I looked to objects in nature as well as successful existing dinnerware lines.

From Literal - From my references and research, I launched into sketch explorations of sculptural functionality.

To Abstracted - I experimented, carrying concepts through a line of pieces.

Building Models - Small scale models helped me advance the form and see it's effect on function.

Refining the Form - Sometimes you need a contoured surface, sometimes a flat surface is best. The line began to branch to accomodate these needs with corresponding formal contrasts.

Understanding the Contours - The larger square plate, with it's unique undulations at its corners, frames food and can act as a charger. The round plate has a spiraling ridge for scooping food and a disoppearing rim. Notice that when viewed from the side, the top profile of the round plate is slanted. This slant allows the plate to appear perfectly circular when viewed from above, even with it's partial rim.

The Line - The design elements of the round and square plates were developed through a line with pieces that can be arranged and purchased as desired. These ceramic prototypes were built with slump molds.