Potter is a skilled person who makes different types of pottery using traditional craft skills and mechanised processes. Most of the Potters specialise in a particular job such as throwing or casting. They may work for large-scale manufacturers or be self-employed. A Pottery Maker throws a lump of clay onto a wheel. This is shaped by hand and by the speed of the wheel, which is controlled by a foot pedal.
Potter Eligibility
Education Qualification
Though there is no any specific educational qualification for it yet if they really want to compete with professional pottery makers then they should possess a Bachelor’s Degree programs in Ceramics.
Potter Required Skills
- Potters need to have creativity and artistic skills as well as an appreciation of colour, shape and form.
- They also possess an individual approach to solving design problems is also necessary.
- They should have the ability and the imagination to create attractive, saleable pieces of work and the practical skills needed to use the appropriate tools and equipment.
- They are also required to have skills like selecting materials appropriate to the design; shaping clay by hand, thrown on a wheel or in a mould; loading kilns, glazing, decorating and firing products.
- They should also have sale and exhibition skills; selling products directly from a studio, market stalls or crafts fairs, online, by mail order or through specialist craft shops and galleries.
How to become Potter?
One has to follow below-given steps for becoming a Potter:
Step 1
Though anybody can become a Potter yet they are required to have some technical knowledge regarding pottery. Students after their 12th class have to apply for a Bachelor’s Degree in Ceramic or Pottery related subjects. Some of the reputed institutes offer admission to Ceramic courses on the basis of entrance basis. Some of the courses are given below.
Bachelor’s Degree Courses
- B.E. (Ceramic Technology)
- B.E. (Ceramics & Cement Technology)
- B.Tech. (Ceramic Technology)
- B.Tech. (Ceramics & Cement Technology)
Educational Qualification
For these courses, students should have been passed in 12th class with Pottery related subject.
Ceramic Engineering Entrance Tests
- Annamalai University Engineering Entrance Exam
- Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Common Entrance Test
- Birla Institute of Science & Technology Entrance
- Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Entrance Exam
- Joint Entrance Examination (IIT JEE)
- NIT Entrance Exam
Step 2
Students can go for Master’s Degree after successful of their graduation as in some cases employers prefer post graduation for offering jobs. Similarly, they have to take admission in colleges/universities for these courses.
Master’s Degree Courses
- M.Tech. (Ceramic Engineering)
- M.Tech. (Ceramic Technology)
Educational Qualification
For these courses, candidates must have been passed their graduation with at second or first class at least. Mostly, admission to these courses is given on the basis of merit list.
Institutes offering Courses for Potter
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi.
- Indian Institute of Ceramics, Kolkata.
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Baroda.
- Murti Art Institute, New Delhi.
Potter Job Description
Potters use a combination of traditional craft skills and mechanised processes to make pottery products. There are traditional hand tools which are still used in many instances, as this remains the most effective method of manufacture, but automatic tools are often used as they speed up the process. Some of the methods employed by Potters are set out below.
Potter Career Prospects
There are many career options after being eligible for it:
- Potters can have jobs in research fields; here they use their scientific knowledge to anticipate new applications to replace existing products.
- They can also have jobs in production fields. Here they may specialise in glass working in industries engaged in the manufacture of tableware, fibre optics, bulbs, window panes, electronics ancillaries.
- Potters have also job scopes in sample testing. These are tested for colour, surface finish, texture, strength and uniformity and for the correction of the manufacturing processes by engineers in testing laboratories.
- They have good scopes in sales/marketing such as understanding customer needs for projecting these requirements to guide further research.
Potter Salary
Potters’ salary varies according to whether they are employed or self-employed, how experienced, successful and well-established they are and how actively and skilfully they promote work. Generally, they are paid a monthly salary ranging from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 in starting. They can earn more than this with increasing their job/work experience.
