Today we’d like to introduce you to Beizi Zhang
Beizi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After working in the tech industry for four years, I started experiencing bouts of anxiety. In March 2022, a trip to the ER for high blood pressure served as a wake-up call. My thesis study on coping with anxiety in 2018 had already provided me with insights into identifying the sources of anxiety and managing them effectively. Seeking a calming and patient-inducing hobby, I discovered pottery.
I began my ceramic journey at the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View, starting with a weekly adult beginner class. Working with clay wasn’t easy, but it required focus and slow, deliberate movements that made each three-hour unplugged session feel meditative and fulfilling.
Since then, I’ve been practicing ceramics for over two years. Although I occasionally take breaks due to workload or vacation plans, my passion for pottery remains unwavering. Over these two years, I have mainly focused on creating functional ware such as mugs, cups, and bowls. I have gradually increased the amount of clay I use, working with weights ranging from 1lb to 4lbs, and experimented with different types of clay. As a result of my frequent practice, I have accumulated a large collection of mugs at home. I also follow various ceramists on social media, learning from their tutorials and attempting to recreate their techniques on my own.
In July, I traveled to China and enrolled in an intermediate ceramics class to explore different techniques. This experience brought me immense happiness, likely because I could concentrate on one thing each day and temporarily escape my usual work environment. This rejuvenating break inspired the name of my brand, “Out of Offices.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been smooth. Initially, I struggled with centering a piece of clay. Whenever I watched tutorials or saw live demo, every movement seemed simple and smooth. However, when I tried doing it myself, I quickly realized how easy it was to make mistakes. Ceramics requires a calm mind and a steady rhythm; impatience is not an option. This has been a significant challenge for someone like me, who tends to be impatient. In the beginning, I often felt frustrated and anxious about not getting it right, and the more anxious I became, the more mistakes I made.
After a year of practice, my next challenge was finding my personal style. Seeing fresh content and beautiful designs from top ceramists on Instagram made me question my own style and what I wanted to create. I constantly asked myself what message I wanted to express through my pottery.
Following my intermediate class in China, I have significantly improved my skills. In the next few weeks, I hope to use these skills to define and develop my own unique style. and hope I can express my concept through my art work
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my day-to-day life, I’m an interaction designer at Google Photos, where I create video editing experiences to help people make their photos and videos stand out and share them with their close ties.
With a background in 2D animation and a Master of Fine Arts, I have integrated my thesis methodology into my pottery journey. Initially, I created many functional pieces such as sake cups, mugs, and yogurt bowls. I believe that every piece of pottery has its own vibe and that bright colors can have a positive impact on people, bringing joy and uplifting their spirits. Recently, I started working on new creations, beginning with an incense holder. I feel that the fast pace and stress of contemporary life require small moments of relaxation and mental ease.
What sets me apart is my unique blend of skills from interaction design, animation, and fine arts, which I bring into my pottery. I’m most proud of my ability to combine these disciplines to create pieces that are not only functional but also emotionally resonant and visually appealing .
What are your plans for the future?
This summer, I participated in several markets with my studio, aiming to showcase my work to a wider audience and convey the idea of cope with anxiety. In the second half of this year, I plan to launch my YouTube channel and website to inspire more people to take the time to relax, to take a moment enjoy the present.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outofoffices.co
