レイアウト
When designing the layout, imagine how it will move after firing.
Japanese: レイアウトは焼成後の動きを想像する
When glass melts, it shrinks, expands, and flows. When designing a layout, I visualize how it will move after firing before assembling it. That’s when the design is mostly decided.
When arranging the pieces, imagine how the glass will shrink, expand, or flow during firing.
Assemble the pieces while taking into account the number of sheets, seams, and even air bubbles.
When glass melts, it moves. Where layers are stacked, the glass shrinks due to the thickness, and where it’s thin, it flows and spreads out. It’s important to visualize this movement in your mind before firing, and then assemble the pieces accordingly.
To learn how to predict how the pieces will turn out, start by firing them several times using the same layout. You’ll begin to understand the quirks of your kiln.
If you keep getting results that differ from what you imagined, it’s a good idea to compare a photo of the finished piece with the original layout side by side. This will help guide your next adjustments.
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.