Hardware Podcasts

Afterschool Podcast, Episode 7 - Catherine Bailey (10/1)

Core77 Podcast · 5 Nov 2013 · 55m

What this episode covers

Catherine Bailey, co-owner and Creative Director of Heath Ceramics, explains her transition from industrial design at Nike and her own consultancy to acquiring and turning around the historic American ceramic manufacturer. She details the challenges of the early years, including managing factory disasters like floods and unreliable equipment, while leveraging the company's deep heritage of craft and mid-century modern design. Bailey describes how Heath balances preserving its classic dinnerware legacy with innovative seasonal collections and new product lines like tile, supported by a hands-on design studio that prioritizes working directly with clay over CAD models. The episode covers the company's strategic expansion from Sausalito to Los Angeles and a new San Francisco facility, emphasizing careful pacing to maintain quality and culture while scaling production.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Heath Ceramics, Nike, One in Co, House Industries, Thorsen 10, Marimekko
Also
Syracuse University, Carnegie Mellon, Edith Heath, Museum of Modern Art

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