(Interior) Design Thinking: Natan Moss Design

2 days ago
2 min read

A potter shapes clay on a wheel in a workshop. Shelves and tools surround him, illuminated by warm lighting, creating a focused mood. — Photo courtesy of Todd Weaver.

In Graduate School, one of the buzzwords professors love to discuss is "Design Thinking." Design Thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding (Dam and Siang). Design Thinking enables companies to understand consumer needs to serve their audience better. For this project, I contacted different companies to learn how organizations applied Design Thinking. I spoke with Natan Moss Design founder Natan Moss to learn how incorporates his mission and vision into his work.

Unfinished clay vases on a pottery studio table, surrounded by shelves of ceramics and supplies, creating an atmosphere of creativity. — Photo courtesy of Todd Weaver.

Potter in a workshop inspects ceramic pieces on shelves. Neutral tones dominate. Various clay vases and objects are neatly arranged. — Photo courtesy of Todd Weaver.

1. What is art?

I had a piece in my MFA thesis that was a response to this question, however that was 20 years ago and my views on the matter have changed significantly since then. There is a quote attributed to many different people that sums up my feelings perfectly well at this stage in my career, “Art is the absence of cynicism.”

Ceramic vase with teal glaze drips and brown top on a white, textured pedestal. The background is plain and neutral, highlighting the vase. — Photo courtesy of Todd Weaver.

2. What is your artistic journey?

I started off learning ceramics from my uncle who has been a studio potter in Southern California for nearly 55 years. When I arrived in NYC to begin at Pratt Institute I realized my MFA program was very loosely defined which opened up many other possibilities to me. Pretty quickly I found myself spending much of my time in the film and video department rather than the ceramics studio. My ceramic instructors were not impressed with my explorations outside of the medium I came there to study, but it offered me freedom from the dogmatism of ceramic history I found stifling. As an artist I believe the act of artistic expression is more important than the medium.

After Pratt and ended up detouring away from clay and spending nearly 15 years in the film industry in Los Angeles. By the time my daughter came along I was pretty burnt out and decided to explore the family business once again so that I might have more time at home, I began my own ceramic studio in 2015.

Two ceramic vases on a wooden shelf, one with textured bumps, the other with geometric patterns and holes. Warm lighting casts shadows. — Photo courtesy of Todd Weaver.

3. How do you incorporate your mission and vision into your work?

I am trying to make the most beautiful things I can imagine for peoples living spaces. A lifetime of learning design, art and craft helps me to attempt that goal everyday to the best of my ability. I am constantly learning and exploring new ways to work and try my best to never be absolute about anything.

Tiles with varied colors and textures are pinned to a wall grid. Handwritten labels identify each sample, creating an organized display. — Photo courtesy of Todd Weaver.

4. What advice would you give to students and young professionals who want to enter into this realm?

My advice would be to stay humble and curious, to never be dogmatic and to learn by doing, not by thinking. Worry more about the process and less about the outcome. Be generous with sharing ideas and knowledge, try to be in competition with yourself rather then other artists.