Ian McIntyre graduated in 2007 with a first-class degree in Three Dimensional Design from Manchester Metropolitan University, and specialises in what he calls 'process-led design'.
Ian McIntyre; Ceramist; Photo: Ian Mcintyre, 2007
'Slush Cast Bowl' (30cmx7.5cm) by Ian McIntyre; Photo: Andrew Livesey, 2007
How would you define 'process-led design'?
It's really about allowing a design to develop in a hands-on way, rather than on paper. Exploring and re-evaluating processes drives my work. Sensitivity towards a material will often guide the outcome of a design. I try to minimise the mark of the hand, but allow natural qualities to provide inconsistency and familiarity amongst clean lines and geometric form. I often explore uniqueness within repeatability and tactile techniques alongside precision technology. So I combine elements of craft and industrial design.
'Broken vase cut out' (18x4cm) by Ian McIntyre; Photo: Andrew Livesey, 2007
So how did you set about making, for example, your 'Broken Vase' range?
I wanted to explore traditional mould-making processes to find alternative applications for them, and ways of making manufactured pieces more individual. The moulds are made by a pattern maker in Stoke. The cylindrical vessels are then hand cast in fine bone china and glazed, fired and polished by a manufacturer in Congleton. But before this happens, I break the rim of each mould. This reveals broken qualities in the plaster, which are picked out in the detail of the china. Glaze on the inside of the vases highlights the fluid surface, whilst the outsides are left unglazed to complement rough, rocky texture. This produces very free and unpredictable qualities in a process that is usually very consistent and refined. It also means I have a hand in the production of each mould and therefore each batch of vases.
What other materials do you work with?
At the moment I'm using recycled pewter from factory off-cuts to make my 'Slush cast bowl' range. I make the bowls using a new process designed to capture the beauty of pewter and it's unique characteristics. Molten pewter is swirled inside a mould to form a fine skin. The inside of each cast is exposed. The technique used allows me to retain molten textures in the metal on the inside of each bowl yet leave the exterior smooth and shiny. The bowls are serially produced but each is unique.
What are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently using rapid manufacturing technology and using a computer numerically controlled cutting tool to make a new product in my Pewter 'Slush Cast' range. I'm also working on my first company project, which involves a range of spun products for the Sheffield Pewter manufacturer A.R.Wentworth.
What are your aims in your work?
I hope that by designing with material characteristics and not around styles or trends, that I'll produce work that lasts. My aim is to show the quality of materials. The hard part is designing processes and forms to capture this.
Website: www.ianmcintyre.co.uk
Email: ianmcintyre84@hotmail.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 7887 582 110
See/ Find more makers'
Search our Craft Directory
work online
Learn/ Get a regular update
Subscribe to the Crafts magazine
on Craft