The NMMU Ceramic Design

By JDZ-Ceramic

The NMMU Ceramic Department offers outstanding facilities and a vibrant staff that are constantly involved with current trends and events. The department has a comprehensive Ceramic Design course and a Ceramic Fine Art component.

The Ceramic Design Course is geared to equip learners with the necessary techniques and information for starting their own business once they graduate. The course runs over 3 years, and covers clay hand building, slip casting, press moulding, plaster mould making, jiggering, transfer printing, throwing, glaze and kiln technology. At 3^rd year level, learners are encouraged to experiment with their own concepts and to formulate new designs that may become the start of their signature range.

The course also touches on the business component of running a small ceramic studio. Learners are given instruction on costing wares, product evaluation, marketing and product design. Furthermore, learners are exposed to direct selling to the public through the department’s Red Earth Clay Project initiative, an “earn and learn” project, which facilitates an in-house gallery.

The Ceramic Fine Art component is primarily focused on the conceptual nature of the artwork. The instruction concentrates on the fabrication of the proposed pieces and their installation and purpose.

Long Neck Vase, Large

By JDZ-Ceramic

Narrow Ceramic Vase

By JDZ-Ceramic

Ceramic crisis countries in the world’s a mixed reaction to

By JDZ-Ceramic

The 16th World Ceramic Forum held recently in China Taiwan to participate in the forum are China (including Taiwan), Brazil, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Japan, the United States and other ceramic tile producers, representatives of almost occupied Ceramic production in the world as a whole 80% of the share. Delegates to explore the theme of the Forum include the world’s consumption and production and consumption trends, the impact of financial crisis for the ceramics industry.
In 2008, the world’s ceramic tile production rose to 8.5 billion square meters, annual production is expected to 2009, and 2008 unchanged. Ceramic tile consumption in the Asian region to maintain a good upward trend, while Europe, Japan and the United States of these the world’s top 10 economies from 2008 began a gradual downward trend in consumption of ceramic tiles. As the impact of financial crisis, this year declines in sales of ceramic tile in some countries as much as 20% ~ 50%. So far, China, Brazil, Italy and Spain have always dominated the world’s ceramic tile production in the first few big countries. Representatives of other countries and regions as well as data reporting point of view, the situation in China a single good, Italy, Spain, more powerful industry hit the United States is full of future market expectations.

China is entering the recovery status of the whole industry
Forum Chinese government increased domestic demand and China’s vast rural market pull, the Chinese construction industry in a crisis for the nation’s adjustment and upgrading, the annual output of more than 6 billion square meters, exports only 670 million square meters, 88% of the domestic market, imports market share of 0.06%, the product price has risen too.
Product structure, the ceramic tile 64%, interior glazed tiles 25, 7% of stoneware tiles, stoneware and fine stoneware tiles 4%, the low-end products accounted for more than 80%; first half of 2009, the whole industry into the “revival” state, national industrial transfer and distribution once again started; decline in exports and domestic sales increase; production costs decreased, corporate profits fell in the morning and synchronization; the whole industry, basically through the most difficult times in March and gradually into the recovery phase began.
Of energy, industry, annual consumption of about 150 million tons of mineral raw materials, basic local materials, the Chinese government energy-saving emission reduction policies and export taxes reduced to 8% of the policies to help Chinese enterprises to ride out the storm played a role, the Chinese government promulgated a series of environmental policy, so that China Building Ceramic Industry more concerned about environmental and social responsibility.

India is projected 7% growth in the
While India affected by economic crisis, 24% of the factories to stop the kiln, the number of unemployed reached 40000, but has maintained GDP growth of India, India housing industries and pillar industries, IT has continued to maintain growth, future The Government plans to increase by about 2,000 million units of housing construction. Ceramic tile production increased by 20% last year to reach 390 million square meters. At present, India’s per capita consumption of ceramic tiles from 0.36 square meters, there is still much room for development. Marketing point of view, yield 70% reliance on the domestic market. In the output of which accounted for 43% of tiles and other floor tiles accounted for 40 percent and imports 2,450 million square meters, export 1,400 million square meters. 2008 sales of view, the international market increased by 11%, imports increased 24%. This year, the domestic market is estimated that 7% growth.

German sales profits encountered unprecedented difficulties
On the whole German tile production is shrinking year by year, last year remained at 6,500 million square meters. In 2009 has dropped by 17 ~ 20%, sales profits were encountered unprecedented difficulties.

Italy is expected to reach 22 percent decline in output this year
Over the past two years by the Italian Federation of the continuous integration into the ceramics related to many of the chapters have joined together to form a more powerful system for face-degree ceramic industry economic crisis. In respect of the current domestic form, is expected to Italy this year, production decreased by about 22% to reduce the roughly 4,000 million square meters, sales are expected to decline to about 18% of approximately equivalent to 4 billion euros. In terms of investment decreased 8% to about 7,500 million euros, but the contrast from the turnover and sales terms, the investment rate was maintained at a proportion of the past. Probably accounted for about 15% of sales. From overseas exports, the Italian or to maintain the highest average price, with an average of 10 euros per square meter of ceramic tiles, while ranking second in Spain is 8 euros, while the output of superpower China 4 euros. From the demand perspective, the Italian market fundamentals remain unchanged, because the Italian people would prefer to use ceramic products.

Spanish ceramic tile industry output will decline every year 2009 is expected to be even more severe situation, the situation is even worse than in 2008. Spanish industry is now facing a double crisis: the financial crisis and the Spanish real estate market surplus. At present, the ceramic tile industry, the number of unemployed persons is probably around 8,000, the output will decrease under the 2009 and 2007 to do more, the output decreased by 55%, sales decreased by 37%. Apparent decline in domestic demand due to the market, imports also declined. As the impact of financial crisis, exports were restricted, while the exchange rate issue also affected the export sector.

Indonesia’s exports in recent years, the domestic political situation in Indonesia is very
economy has stabilized, the cabinet selection completed this year. Brick’s production of 3.5 million square meters, there are 250 million daily-use porcelain, sanitary ware 4.5 million, the entire output value 800 million U.S. dollars. Main export countries are the United States, Australia and Europe, these three countries. However, due to the economic crisis, which three countries are both affected by more serious, neighboring countries, an annual output of 1,900 million square meters, Malaysia, Thailand, 6,300 million square meters, Vietnam and Indonesia, has remained flat, so not very recent years, the export boom.

Brazil had to rely on the domestic market
from the Brazilian point of view, a decrease of 8 percent of employees, production, a decrease of 11%. Brazil’s domestic market demand increased by 7%, 13% reduction in overseas markets. Brazil’s main export countries are the United States ceramic tile, but sales fell 63% last year, while exports to Latin American countries such as the products also reduced a lot. Imports increased by 23%, and in this 23%, almost all imports come from Chinese products. 3.9 square meters per capita consumption of ceramic tiles, the ceramic industry from the Brazilian point of view, or to rely on the domestic market.

The United States has gone through the most difficult times
The U.S. market has been the most difficult times, from the first half of 2009 data, the tile consumption of 650 million square feet, and only half of the same period in 2008, and now is picking up. Now the housing market began to rebound in October compared with second-hand housing ring up 10.1%, sales of 6.1 million units, real estate, generally as a leading indicator of building materials, from this point of view, is more optimistic about the future market. The U.S. market mainly depend on imports. From the global production trends, to 07-08 from all major producing countries, the changes in ceramic tile or less is expected in 2009 will continue in 2008 the situation will not have too many changes. Over the past year, in terms of the global ceramic tile industry is the most difficult one, even though production on the rise, but the profits of an enterprise is on the decline, in addition to China, Brazil, Vietnam and a few other domestic sales growth, Italy, Spain, India, Japan, the United States, tile sharp decline in consumption, and will have an impact on the future.

Lotte base located in Jingdezhen in Jingdezhen City Ceramic porcelain sculpture

By JDZ-Ceramic

Sky blue, spring boil noodles. May 1, Lotte Jingdezhen in Jingdezhen City Ceramic base porcelain sculpture was officially established. Master of arts and crafts of China Liu long porcelain in Jingdezhen City Council, porcelain sculpture, pottery Lotte and other relevant agency heads to attend the inaugural ceremony. Liu announced the establishment of ceramic base and at the same time opening the third market Lotte creative.

Lotte sculpture ceramics in Jingdezhen porcelain base is located in the back door, is a studio with offices and speak to one large space LOFT style. “51″ period, the base will be the site for pottery pottery patterns show fans, decorative ceramics, glaze painting, blue, handmade pottery, traditional hand-made brush, bamboo, etc., can also experience the casting, Green flowers and clay figurines. Let the side of pottery can learn to master Jingdezhen ceramics production techniques, the side of Topsy Jingdezhen this “Ceramic History”, to share the fun of ceramics bring.

Lotte’s creativity in the market in the third that the 120 stalls of creative works to the three-meter-large, small fingernails, there are fashion or nostalgia, and daily or leisure, plane or space, there are worn on the body Ceramic necklace, earrings, vases of practical devices, it hung on the wall porcelain pottery, lamps, ornaments and so on are purely decorative, silver, everything is very fine. In particular vegetables covered with bamboo accessories cover, filled with decorative ornaments five bean frame, it is attracting tourists and Taobao’s eye, and even there are many foreign tourists come to visit, browse.

According to Lotte Tao agency responsible person to open up the creative market is young potters hope to provide students with a small stage, to encourage them to not only the freedom to create ceramic art, but also intervene in the market as soon as possible, the combination of creativity and the market, the creation and re-writing the continuation of operations in practice possible. At the same time, the opening of innovative small market can also Jingdezhen ceramics culture brought about by the development of the vitality and creativity of young people active in the cultural atmosphere of the Millennium porcelain to bring fresh supplies and energy. To establish a base for ceramic art ceramics and the vast majority of those who love ceramics, pottery making and to provide to appreciate the art of pottery making the exchange of space, to “Lotte stage, singing the public art, art exchange, together with promoting” the promotion of ceramic culture.

Guangdong ceramic exports in March increased 28.6 percent year-on-year

By JDZ-Ceramic

Foshan City news in an interview that Exit Inspection and Quarantine, Guangdong ceramic March exports to reverse the first two months of decline, with exports amounting to 280 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 28.6%. Foshan Comprehensive Exit Inspection and Quarantine, Inspection and Quarantine Technical Center marketing director, told reporters Liu Yamin, 1,2 month and Foshan in the Middle East, ASEAN, the European Union, Latin America, the United States the value of domestic exports fell across the board compared to the situation in March has been greatly changed. It is worth noting that, according to Customs statistics, in the first quarter of this year, Guangdong ceramics markets in Africa and the Middle East made a major breakthrough in exports to Africa and the United Arab Emirates was the rapid growth. These two markets reached 59.58 million U.S. dollars and 51.65 million U.S. dollars, increased by 42.9% and 55.1%.

Products in the export structure, said Liu Yamin, Foshan Ceramics exports to the construction of ceramic-based, the vast majority of products for the tile, of which about 6 become glazed brick, glazed brick 4 become. Most of the African market in order to wear-resistant bricks, tiles mainly tiles glazed wall tiles are mainly small specifications, Europe and the United States is still mainly in high-grade. Bathroom ceramic exports declining trend, exports of high-performance technical ceramics have greater growth than previously, but the high-performance technical ceramics in Foshan ceramics industry in the proportion of the whole is not great. A number of mainland enterprises, the cost of production is relatively low, to low-cost low-end part of the market occupied. Enterprise vicious competition leads to decrease in profits, while many companies do not have their own brands, but to rely on OEM to maintain the normal operation of the factory. Therefore, the experts propose to increase the access threshold for the ceramics industry, to do a good job to support big-scale enterprises to restrict the production of low-quality small businesses, low-priced exports behavior.

Followed by a period of time on the export situation, Liu Yamin that the current international financial crisis, the foreign real estate market downturn, new real estate projects to reduce, residents in areas such as housing renovation renovation also reduced consumer demand, the export volume of sanitary ceramic unlikely in the near future has changed significantly. He said: “It should be said that the ceramic industry is now entering a crucial period to re-shuffle of, enterprises should strengthen the research and development of new products, and strengthen brand building, and strictly control product quality in line with the customers and the requirements of the importing country laws and regulations, it is necessary to know the quality of the product production out, rather than testing out. ”

He suggested that the domestic ceramic enterprises to Italy, Spain and other enterprises to learn: “The power is also a ceramics after decades of hard work before the establishment of hegemony now, they are products, specifications, and cultural connotation of the brand and so on, there are their strength and image, we should learn from their experience, raise the level of exports, and export enterprises to build a good brand name products, and continuously improve the economic value of export products. if only to imitate, then always walk in other people’s the back. “In addition, the export enterprises to strengthen inspection and quarantine agencies and communication between the countries to understand the import laws and regulations, so that problems can be resolved in a timely manner. He said that the national construction of Health Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Foshan Ceramics Key Laboratory testing has a world-class testing equipment, the authority of professional and technical personnel, sanitary ceramics in the construction testing, certification can provide a full range of technical support.

Related Links: The April 17 “Dongguan Daily” reported that, according to customs statistics Whampoa, Guangdong Province, the first quarter of this year, export of all types of ceramic products worth 740 million U.S. dollars, an 7.1 percent increase over the same period last year. The first quarter of Guangdong ceramic export market for the first three followed by the European Union, ASEAN and the United States. The first quarter, export ceramics in Guangdong Province followed by the three major markets before the European Union, ASEAN and the United States, on the above three markets accounted for 42.1 percent of total exports. Of these, exports to the EU 140 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 9.4%; of ASEAN exports 97,690,000 U.S. dollars, an increase of 20.2%; exports to the United States 71,680,000 U.S. dollars, down 1.3%.

Foshan ceramics industry in transition by popular vote in the wind

By JDZ-Ceramic

Recently, a number of institutional investors gathered in PE “dialogue PE Foshan City, Guangdong Province and the SME Development Forum”, ceramic industries favored by the wind to vote.

According to the Shenzhen Investment Management Company Oriental Fuhai said Chen Wei, chairman of the Foshan trip is to find high-end ceramic enterprises in investment opportunities, and create Oriental Investment Co., Ltd. has invested a well-known ceramics enterprises in Foshan.

Foshan host integration and Noah Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (Foshan) wealth management center for the invitation and the three investment institutions, including the East Fuhai Shenzhen Investment Management Company, creators Eastern Investment Co., Ltd., venture capital of the morning, they believe that transition Foshan enterprises need investors.

“Growth” has been invited to PE in the speech repeatedly emphasized the elements of the primary investment, and the transformation of Foshan ceramics industry seems to show a new “growth.”

Chen Wei, chairman of the East Fuhai, Liu, chairman of Morningside Venture day expressed the hope that in a year with Foshan enterprises “marriage.”

Shenzhen will become the leading city of the world’s ceramics industry

By JDZ-Ceramic

Shenzhen will become the leading city of the world’s ceramics industry
“Ceramic Fair will Youngpoong source world, so that China’s traditional culture of the ceramic Games.” Yesterday, on the 1st in the Fair Lane, Yong Feng, chairman of the source of the Group, “Mission Hills porcelain Valley” to create the right Liu Yuen-fai fat face full of smile. Chinese ceramics in recent years as the rise of the brand new leader, he was busy reception wave and wave of hope into “porcelain Guanlan Valley” of the domestic and foreign businessmen to cooperate.

“Yesterday, through the Fair will be the platform that we and the State Development Bank, the Japanese company of your music in your music, Hebei and Jiangxi Jingdezhen Cixian two ceramic enterprises focus on the signing ceremony of cooperation, such cooperation or whether it is from the capital market, are Youngpoong source contribute to the completion of the dream of bigger and stronger, it can be said quite abundant harvest. “Liu told reporters the right-hui, in addition, he is more proud that, through the display of ceramic Youngpoong source, let the people see to accomplish a great deal of traditional Chinese culture, to enhance the international image of China plays a significant role.

It is understood that in March 2007 in the National Exhibition on Russia and China, fine porcelain Youngpoong source ceremony was elected the country presented to the Russian President Vladimir Putin and former President, when President Putin to take up a porcelain interesting interest called the “big Chinese goods.” Many people in the booth on the message that these magnificent porcelain fine behind a pool of national revival of the Chinese enterprises in the history of ceramic production responsibility.

“Porcelain Guanlan Valley” is introduced in Bao’an District, government regulation, business investment and a new model, the source model through the play Youngpoong brand to attract domestic and foreign brands of advanced ceramic entry. Its under the display of Chinese porcelain and cultural experience, the International Porcelain Expo Trade Center, the International Cultural and Creative Design Center porcelain, ceramic and cultural training for international exchange center, the International Cultural Forum porcelain features five theme areas, the ultimate goal is to build a global culture of high-end ceramic the core area. At present, Japan’s “Jingdezhen” of the “nine Valley” in ceramics, has been assigned to “porcelain Guanlan Valley.”

“Why ‘Guanlan porcelain Valley’ ability to attract as Japan ‘nine Valley fire’ this world-class ceramic art to join?” Mr Rutherford said the right, hit by the financial crisis, in Europe and the U.S. market a lot of prestigious ceramics enterprises declared bankrupt, in the midst of are the source of contrarian growth Shenzhen Yongfeng Porcelain giant international attention. “Nine Valley burned” many times, make unannounced visits to the Group of Experts sent Youngpoong source of Shenzhen high-tech transformation of traditional industries through to vigorously support the development of cultural industries to conduct a comprehensive survey the investment environment, the investigation eventually concluded that: Youngpoong source in Shenzhen the rise and development is not accidental, the near future, Shenzhen, China will undoubtedly become a world leader in ceramic industrial innovation, the development of the city, “they are ceramic cultural industries in the rapid development of Shenzhen as a deterrent.”

Straits Chinese Arts & Crafts Fair in Jingdezhen potters wins six golds

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Straits Chinese Arts & Crafts Fair in Jingdezhen potters wins six golds

By the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, China Light Industry Federation and the Fujian Provincial Government jointly organized the fourth China (Putian) Channel Craft Fair held in Putian, Fujian, Jingdezhen City, organized by 13 ceramic artists of the exhibition and the exhibition forms, participated in the Expo. Jingdezhen Ceramic exquisite art, this fair has become a major bright spot. Works in Jingdezhen City, won a total of six gold, 10 silver.

Jingdezhen porcelain traditionally HKADC modern sensation in Hong Kong

By JDZ-Ceramic

Jingdezhen porcelain traditionally HKADC modern sensation in Hong Kong

From the University of Hong Kong Museum of Art and co-sponsored Jingdezhen City Department of Cultural Affairs, “Jiang Kiln” Paul Jiang Qing, founder of the contractor’s “One to review the past to the new – the modern tradition of Jingdezhen Ceramic Art Exhibition” in April from the Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Hong Kong has been carried out, visits to the people of Hong Kong and foreigners flocked to the visitors a fresh, exciting feel. In Hong Kong to attend the Jiangxi Province in 2009 (Hong Kong) Week, deputy director of the Municipal People’s Congress, Sau Ming, vice mayor in high spirits to visit the exhibition.

A total of 135 sets of modern works of traditional pottery exhibition. These works have not only carrying forward the tradition of innovation, not only as antique porcelain, but also different from the general sense of the antique porcelain, the court through traditional painting and a combination of three-dimensional objects, into the modern aesthetic elements into “the cleverest learned new” expression of a new, fully demonstrates the breadth and depth of Jingdezhen, the south-pointing carriage, full of vitality and creativity of the ceramic culture. The exhibition also displayed the painting tools and more than 40 kinds of paints. These exhibits have been to the Russian State Tretyakov Museum and Art Gallery, Bahrain National Museum, Liu Haisu Shanghai Art Museum, Dalian is Chuan Museum, Museum of Jiangxi Province, one in each, are caused by an unusual reaction with wood. The exhibition in Hong Kong has been on display in July of this year.