Glazily
Artillery AG, a ceramics studio located in the bustling Mission District of San Francisco, sought to build a member portal to enhance communication between members and management. We reviewed various communication platforms and methods, but realized that before addressing how information was relayed, we needed to determine what information members wanted to know. So we asked!
Question
“What information would be helpful for the studio to provide?”
Responses:
- Kiln schedule
- Glaze combinations
- Slab building tips
- Wheel throwing tips
- Events in the space
- Clay recycling information
- Colored clay information
- Tool guide
- Equipment information, e.g. clay extruder
- Highlighting inspirational work of members
Key Insight
While items such as the kiln schedule and event list were expected to be the main concerns, members expressed greater interest in learning about the foundational skills and tips rather than the studio's day-to-day operations.
Hypothesis
Confident in the universal thirst for knowledge, the client expanded the project's scope to educate and inspire the broader ceramics community, while still addressing their small studio communication.
Challenges
- Actively engaging enough users to contribute, while competing with apps like instagram and Pinterest for attention?
- Understanding the incentives for various parties to contribute to the app. A studio owner, a youtube instructor, and a hobby ceramist will engage the platform for different reasons.
- Working with ceramic brands to ensure accurate and current information of their products.
Understanding the Users
To begin this journey I interviewed 20 ceramicists from Artillery and other studios in San Francisco. I was particularly interested in understanding how they currently access information and what personally motivates them in their craft.
How do you track the progress
of your pieces?
Do you follow other ceramicists online?
Are you focused on selling?
What resources do you use when looking for each of the following categories?
What are the biggest challenges you face in ceramics?
How do you save/ document things that inspire you?
User Persona A: Hobby Ceramisist
User Persona B: Ceramic Studio
Insight >> How Might We
Case Study in Progress
