Connecting with others

"Good design will always sell".

At Staffordshire university we as a class have been asked to do a Souvenir project with 'The Wedgwood Museum' situated in Barlston, Stoke-on-Trent. What can you class as a Souvenir? Small objects, larger objects? I spoke to Ray Atkins from the museum who gave me some valuable information to influence my project.

I found from my questioning that 'The Wedgwood Museum' has a peak season between April and August of the spring - summer months. Which is not surprising as its the case in most attractions throughout the UK.

 The average age range of the Museums visitors is believed to be 40+. I see this as a disadvantage for the Museum as it has much more to offer the younger generations in terms of its history. For us as Designer/Makers it may seem to some easier to have a target audience in mind when designing a product.

 I asked 'In the retail shop which of your items sell best?' According to Mr.Atkins the mugs are the best sellers, not in any particular colour or shapes. Mugs vary in size, shape, design, pattern and colour.

Below to the left is an Eric Ravilious Alphabet mug retailing online around the £10 mark. Below on the right is a very pretty mug with lots of variations on this design for sale in the Museum shop at the moment, extremely different to the Ravilious Alphabet mug but colourful floral design makes an eye catching pattern with the gold rim and added detail of the curled handle.

Most people like to spend in the region of between £10-£50 in the Museums retail shop. I believe pricing will be key in this project to set ours products in the right market.

A fellow peer agreed to answer a few questions for my blog.

My peer is quite nervous with the project being tied to such a well known ceramics company which is very understandable. She is planning on creating work inspired by Wedgwood's 'Fairyland lustre' that's based in the museums 20th century section, but keeping the work contemporary.

She feels a collection of small items seems inviting but ideas are still in process. By completing this project it will give her confidence to work with other prestigious companies should the opportunity arrive. I found from my two interviews that contemporary design is key. As good design will live on forever. I found invaluable information i.e. the target audience and pricing for the products that are yet to be designed and made.