Hi, I’m Vinh Truong.
I’m a designer and ceramicist specialising in wheel-thrown tableware. Based in Dublin, Ireland, I merge industrial design with a deep curiosity for clay, crafting collections highlighting stoneware and porcelain's natural textures. I also teach at Irish ceramic studios, including Throwing Shapes (currently) and Arran Street East (previously).
My journey began in 2023 with an evening wheel-throwing course led by potter & friend Lucy Hughes. Captivated by the craft, I acquired a wheel and taught myself, eventually transitioning into full-time ceramics. Over two years, I refined my skills in creating utilitarian pottery and teaching before developing my signature glazes and ceramic collections rooted in my design principles.
My work explores the intersection of digital fabrication and handcraft, resulting in functional, minimalist objects. I also design bespoke tools to enhance my making process. I’m passionate about design, food, and studio pottery and constantly experiment to refine my work.
If there is brewing interest in purchasing my work, I typically release products a few times a year, announced through my social media accounts 4–6 weeks prior to the restock. You can also sign up for my newsletter to receive notifications.
01. Digital Process
My production process merges digital precision with traditional craftsmanship. Each object begins with an iterative ideation process, where sketching and CAD modelling refine its form, proportions, and visual language while creating a record for future replication.
A 3D-printed prototype provides haptic feedback before it is handcrafted on the potter’s wheel through traditional means. This integration of digital fabrication and ceramics ensures functional, well-crafted tableware, balancing consistency with the unique character of delicate handmade work.
Once the design process is complete, the object is thrown using the optimal weight of clay. The design is taken through a traditional making process, which takes a minimum of two weeks from clay to the final object.
02. Traditional Process
All of my objects are wheel-thrown in stoneware or porcelain, then left to slowly dry to a leather-hard state before trimming and refining. Handles, if applicable, are attached, and the pieces continue drying to a bone-dry state, becoming greenware.
The work is then bisque-fired to 1030°C, transforming it from clay to ceramic. Once cooled, the bases are waxed, and each piece is dipped in my signature glazes. The porous bisque surface absorbs the glaze, leaving a powdery coating. Any drips are carefully fettled, and the bases are cleaned to prevent fusion with the kiln furniture.
The final glaze firing reaches 1250°C, after which the kiln slowly cools. Once unloaded, the bases are lightly sanded, washed, tested, and prepared for serving and eating.
Handcrafted
Small Batch
Wheel-Thrown
Handcrafted Small Batch Wheel-Thrown
Materials & Considerations
Clay Reclamation & Recycling
Only objects that meet my quality standards are fired. Clay from all stages before bisque firing is recycled, reclaimed, and reincorporated back into workable material for future use. This includes trimmings, slip from throwing, and settled clay from the cleaning buckets.
Clay Bodies & Sourcing
All ceramic objects are primarily produced from a strong, fine-grained white stoneware clay body and high-quality porcelain crafted from the best available materials. I prioritise responsible suppliers and focus on reducing delivery frequency to minimize environmental impact.
Glaze Mixing & Waste Reduction
Each glaze is mixed in-house using a range of raw materials and oxides. During experimentation, glazes are tested efficiently and thoughtfully before reproducing large batches. Excess glaze from tests is repurposed on seconds, regifted, or, after careful consideration, disposed of responsibly.
Kiln Efficiency & Production Practices
Energy efficiency is ensured by firing my electric Nabertherm kiln only when it’s packed efficiently with selected objects and during off-peak hours. My products are typically produced in small batches to respond to demand. Any products that are deemed as seconds will be made available annually.