Marina Valls

The project developed during iAtelier: Packaging DPO

A project that aims to redefine the Spanish ceramic tradition through new techniques, design, and production processes using 3D printing technology. The combination of the skilled ceramist Marina Valls, the experience of Tiziana Chiara working with glass, together with the ability in visual representation and 3D design of Antonio Domínguez has generated the perfect team to develop this project. They have combined traditional processes such as firing pottery and glass blowing with digital printing in PLA plastic and ceramic extrusion, to obtain a product inspired by traditional ceramic pieces from Manises (Valence).

Check the video of iAtelier workshop here!

Meet the maker

I am Marina Valls, designer, set designer and ceramist. I was born in Mallorca and I have been living in the Canary Islands for a few years. After going through various sectors, always related to art and design, I ended up in ceramics. By chance and with a bit of curiosity, a little mud got into my hands 4 years ago and since then I have not released it. After completing my studies, I set up my workshop in Tenerife, where I do research and seek to mix all my interests.

Last year I started my own ceramic company in Tenerife, putting out my first collection for sale. I am in a rehearsal stage, where I am trying many different things to find a line of work that always defines me with the idea of being conscious about consumption and helping to have a more sustainable life, making functional pieces for day to day.

What interested you in the iAtelier programme and did it meet with your expectations?

With ceramics I like to try a great variety of things and sometimes my manual skills are not enough, that is why technology plays a great role, it allows me to reach places that otherwise would not be possible or would be very difficult to reach. That is why the iAtelier program seemed super interesting, since I have been able to learn a great variety of tools and apply some of them to the project that we have developed with my work colleagues.

How will participating in iAtelier influence your future practice?

The experience has been fantastic since it has allowed us to investigate with technological tools that would otherwise be more complicated and at the same time develop a project with other designers and artisans.

All this learning helps you to have a much broader look, and that everything learned can be applied in our workshops.

My 5 top tips that I have learnt on this journey

1. Make the most of the tools they provide us. We have come to play and learn.
2. Do not be afraid of being wrong. All experiences teach us, mistakes included.
3. Open mind, see new points of view, thanks to working with other artisans / designers.
4. Learn to think differently, new tools open new paths for you.
5. Have fun and enjoy the process.