Skip to content
2020

The Wedgwood Factory Tour

Barlaston, UK
Factory introduction space, title vinyl on red wall and text panels mounted on frames hanging from the ceiling
+
Second angle of introductory space showing more hanging text panels on red wall
+
Detail of hanging frame in introductory space, showing text panel held to frame with a ratchet strap
+
Display furniture and interpretation panels on factory floor showing a set of crockery sprayed with glaze ready to go in the kiln
+
Reverse of monitor stand showing custom mounting plate concealing all media and cabling
+
Display furniture and interpretation panels on factory floor showing the process of casting.
+
Box with clear perspex lid showing the process of creating reliefs to be applied to ceramic products.
+
Monitor stand, display furniture and interpretation panels on factory floor showing the gilding process.
+
Guided tour being given in front of monitor playing film of Prestige Artist.
+
Display furniture, interpretation panels and monitor showing tools and process of Figure Making.
+
Detail of interpretation panels being held to frames by black rubber band.
+
Reference image of rubber bands being used to hold casting moulds together on the factory floor.
+
Monitor, pendant speaker and interpretation panels on factory floor showing the Vibro Machine.
+
View inside kiln after products have been fired, waiting to be unloaded.
+

Working with Of Many Circles, we designed the guided tour through Wedgwood’s UK factory in Barlaston, Staffordshire.

We produced a series of visual aids that help tour guides communicate the various production methods in the factory. These range from delicate, hand finished work of skilled craftspeople to automated machine processes.

Adopting the language of existing factory furniture we designed a set of display trolleys to present objects at different stages of production. Items on display are a mixture of factory artefacts and specially commissioned pieces for the tour.

We worked with filmmaker Reuben Henry and factory staff to produce ten short films. Positioned alongside their respective work stations, and each running around one-minute, they’re succinct studies of each production method.

Interpretation panels are mounted using rubber bands and ratchet straps echoing the factory’s technique of bracing moulds during casting.

Display furniture designed with Plane Structure
Films by Reuben Henry
AV consultancy by Rob Glover
Photography by Stuart Whipps

Category: Spaces