Internship in a pottery village
Glass and ceramic design students explored the local ceramics culture, clay deposits and businesses of a northern ceramics village. The study trip also turned into something much bigger: work placements, new networks and even job opportunities.
Sara Keskitalo and Elisa Vasenius found internship placements in Posio somewhat by chance. Initially, finding placements seemed challenging, as positions in the sector are not always readily available.
– We visited Miki Studio and Pentik with the class. After that the idea came up: what if we applied for internships in Posio. In the end we both got accepted.
Sara says.
Sara completed her placement at Miki Studio, a small ceramics company founded by Korean ceramic artist Miki Kim. She had moved to Finland just over ten years earlier, worked first at Pentik and later set up her own studio in Posio.
Finnish nature is strongly evident in Miki’s work. Her meticulously finished porcelain animal motifs, such as owls from the fells, are particularly well known. The skills and artistic vision she imparted are still apparent in Sara’s ceramics today.
Aside from the mentor, the best thing about the placement was the variety:
– I made moulds, cast products, painted, finished pieces, packaged items and occasionally worked in the shop too. The work was really varied. Miki is an absolutely lovely person, truly inspiring and full of energy. I learned a great deal from them about slip casting, work processes and running a business.
Perspective and experience from Pentik’s factory
Elisa’s placement was at Posio’s best-known ceramics company, Pentik. She began in the factory’s decoration department, where the work focused on decorating tableware using stencils. The first weeks of the placement were above all about practising consistency and speed.
As the placement progressed, her responsibilities quickly became more varied. After the decoration department, Elisa went on to work at the studio of Pentik’s artistic director, Anu Pentik. There she was able to be involved more in the production process from the outset. During the placement, Elisa also contributed to designing new patterns and worked closely with experienced professionals.
– It was really inspiring to see up close how the products are created and how the design process unfolds. I also received a lot of valuable advice on entrepreneurship.
Elisa says.
At Pentik, Elisa saw at first hand how much handcraft is involved even in industrial production. Even in a large factory, the majority of the decoration is done by hand.
The practical skills gained from studies helped in finding a placement
Both Sara and Elisa feel that HAMK’s studies prepared them well for working life. In particular, the practical emphasis stood out during their work placements. At Pentik, Elisa heard that HAMK students are valued specifically for their practical skills.
– At Pentik, it was known that HAMK genuinely produces ceramics and goes through the whole product design process, which is evident in the trainees’ skills.
During their studies, the students were introduced to the use of materials, product design and manufacturing processes. The placements, meanwhile, offered the chance to apply what they had learned in practice and to see how different companies operate.
The experience gained during placements in the everyday running of a ceramics business reinforced the idea of establishing their own ceramics studio. Today, Sara and Elisa work together as entrepreneurs at Sael Studios in Lahti where they are happy to take ceramics students as apprentices.
Smart and Sustainable Design
In our Smart and Sustainable Design degree programme you learn to take into consideration the challenges of sustainability in modern design. You learn to use different production techniques and materials in practise so you can design more sustainable products and services that fit to our future’s needs.
During your studies you develop as a designer in real working life projects. You often work in teams and will get skills that you can apply in working life.
As a designer you will specialise in fashion, glass or ceramics. In your chosen studies you will deepen your knowledge based on your interests. You can complement your design skills for example by choosing studies from international fashion business or sustainable business.
