Amina, founder of Studio A, is a London-based potter whose work centres around showing the essence of the clay. Amina’s background is in Architecture and information design. She started making ceramics consistently in 2021. She produces small batches of minimal and functional ware all hand thrown and designed for everyday use. When it comes to material and form, her practice is all about simplicity, functionality and transparency. Influenced by nature’s earthy palette and raw elements, Amina is starting to dig into a more sustainable approach to making with remains like wood ashes.
We spoke with Amina to discover more about her practice.
What attracted you to your craft?
Having an architectural and design background, ceramics was always a craft I was interested in but never had the time to explore. During Covid, I started taking throwing classes and eventually I started throwing on the wheel more and more, until it became more than just a hobby.
What does your typical day look like?
My days do not always look the same. I work in a communal studio with other makers. Most of the time you can find me at the studio working on a commission, or a new collection. Other times you can find me teaching throwing taster sessions.
If I’m not at the studio, I am probably doing design work for Studio A including social media content or branding (creating packaging and labels for example). You can also find me photographing and styling my pieces, getting some materials or packing orders at home. The name Studio A is actually inspired by the multifunctional nature of what I do. It feels like I’m a whole studio because I get to wear different hats everyday.
Does your product have an environmental focus/does it support the circular economy?
Yes, clay is already a biodegradable natural material sourced from the earth. As long as the piece has not been fired yet, the clay can be recycled into other pots. So I always make sure to only fire pieces for a specific use. In addition, I’ve been using more wood ash remains in my glazes and digging even more into a sustainable approach to my practice.
What is the USP (unique selling point) for your products?
The style of my collections has been evolving throughout this past year. But the principles reflected in each piece are always the same. Basic, functional, hand thrown, and clay-centric, which means that the glazes used are always there to complement the essence of the clays underneath. A sort of a celebration of the material, and the idea of transparency and honesty in construction, which is very important to me.
Where do you find inspiration for designs?
Nature is a big source of inspiration to me; its colour palette, raw elements and textures.
I take great inspiration from the Bauhaus Movement. It embodies all the values I try to reflect in my work. The simplicity of the basic functionality, the transparency and honesty in construction. The minimalism in shape and essence.
Egypt’s cultural significance for pottery in relation to food, is also something that influences some of the functionality of my pieces.
Please can you provide a little more info on how your interest in design started and developed?
I studied architectural design as well as graphic communication. Therefore, design has always been part of my life one way of another, and ceramics is just another component under this design umbrella.
Do you have any favourite items in the collection?
I have to say the espresso cups in chocolate mint are definitely one of my favourite pieces from the Earth collection.
How would you summarise your collection in a few sentences, words?
Earthy, minimal, functional, clay-centric.
Does your work have a social impact?
An environmental impact, yes. For my latest collection, I have been focusing on a more sustainable approach and used wood ashes in my glazes. Making with remains is a field that fascinates me and that I’m introducing to my practice step by step.
Where would you like to take your design career / collection?
For the future, I would love to focus more on ergonomic and user centric designs. In addition to exploring more about making with remains. I would also love to bring in further aspects of my Egyptian heritage and culture into my designs.