Week 2 Readings

1. The “Form-to-Function Map”

What you will learn this week

By the end of Week 2, you will be able to:

• identify common ceramic form families (bowl, cup, jar, vase, plate, flask)

• explain how rim, belly, neck and foot signal function and stability

• write a clear form description that avoids guessing

Real-world lens (why this matters)

Whether you are viewing a museum object, reading a catalogue entry, or planning your own piece, “form literacy” helps you:

• understand why a vessel is shaped the way it is

• avoid common misunderstandings (“It’s decorative only!” vs “It was made to pour/store/serve”)

• design more stable vases and more usable tableware