Ceramicah has been shortlisted for the Lighting Piece Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about the co-owners Micah & Alexandra below:

Name: Micah Blyckert & Alexandra Cadiz
Company: Ceramicah
Position within Company: Co-Owners 
Website: www.ceramicah.com

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
We both studied architecture at the University of Washington where we met, and then worked in the design industry for several years. I (Alexandra) ran my own architecture and interior design firm, Studio Cadiz while Micah started buying properties in LA that together we would renovate and sell. These projects allowed us to experiment with ceramics, something Micah had always done since childhood, making our own tiles and sconces for one of our projects. When the pandemic hit and everything slowed down Micah had a chance to fully dive into ceramics again and that’s when Ceramicah was born. 

How would you describe your personal design style?
Refined, organic and intentional with every element considered to create a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts. 

Where does your design inspiration come from?
We travel a lot, most recently to Mexico where we got married in February and can’t seem to stop going back. The ceramic art there is a great inspiration to us, as well as the landscapes of California. We are also inspired by our daily lives and the way we use and experience things around our house and beyond. We love the idea of filling our home with functional pieces of art and intend for our products to feel like that for our buyers. 

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
We believe that design is becoming more accessible to the greater population, which is really exciting. The architecture and interior design industry can sometimes feel closed off, even though it is our job as designers to create spaces and things that enhance people’s lives. So we are happy to see that through social media and new ways of buying products and offering design services, that more people are gaining access to good design to improve their quality of life. 

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design.
We believe when designing anything it should be approached with intention, precision, attention to detail, function and beauty. 

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
Very important! They give small makers like us a chance to be seen and recognized on a larger scale within the design industry and beyond. 

What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently working on a new collection of lamps and one-of-a-kind vessels that will all be finished in a Shino glaze. This is a deep red colour that adds richness and warmth to any context it’s placed in.  

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
We loved working on our Raku collection. It was the first bespoke, limited edition collection we launched with Ceramicah and the entire journey from the special firing process we went through to create it, to sharing it and seeing how people responded was exciting and rewarding! 

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
In the next year we are focused on growing our production capabilities to meet the demand we’ve been so lucky to receive. For most of the time we’ve had Ceramicah, it has just been Micah and I producing everything and running the operations on our own. We are excited to now have two assistants and continue growing our LA studio so we are able to continue developing unique products and collections. 

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
Our home is very special to us. It’s in a historical Spanish building in LA that was designed by architects Arthur and Nina Zwebell who were famous for their courtyard buildings in the 1920s. It has provided a safe haven through so much and we have an amazing community of neighbours that are like our family. 

Your favourite restaurant?
Our favourite restaurant in LA is Dama. We absolutely love the food, drinks and atmosphere, and have celebrated some of our biggest milestones there. 

Your favourite food and drink?
We love Mexican food, and always go for a good Mezcal cocktail like the Naked and Famous. 

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Can’t beat an afternoon with friends at a pool or beach, with good food, drinks and music. 

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
If we weren’t running Ceramicah, we would probably buy and renovate a hacienda in Mexico and turn it into a boutique hotel filled with artful objects and design. It’s never too late so that’s still an option in our future! 

Ceramicah has been shortlisted for the Lighting Piece Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022.

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