This month’s speaker is Gary Hawley, Design Manager at Denby Pottery.

With a broad background in ceramics stretching back to his degree at Loughborough University Gary now has over twenty five years worth of experience working at Denby Pottery in various roles within
the Design department.

Gary joined Denby following a work placement in Paris with the Porcelain manufacturer Bernadaud which formed part of his Masters degree at Staffordshire University. Proud of his Derbyshire heritage, Denby has always played a part in his life, be it eating off
Chatsworth plates from a young age or spending time admiring his Gran’s collection of Potters wheels. At the tender age of ninety three his Gran still cherishes and uses a Potters wheel to this day.

With a keen interest in shape and texture Gary has designed shapes for popular ranges such as Halo, Canvas, Monsoon and more recently Impression and Modern Deco. It was a delight to meet the original designer of Chevron in Gill Pemberton whilst working on the shapes and texture for Canvas and her work played a huge part in the inspiration for that range.

Now as Design Manager at Denby, Gary is always looking at what trends may affect his work but inspiration can come from all aspects
of life, shapes in nature, product design or visits to museums and galleries and he recognizes that ‘It’s a team effort at Denby, the shapes would be nothing without the amazing glazes or vice
versa. I love working in a team and we have an amazing design studio that is full to the brim with inspiration.’