The prototype: Problem work in the relationship between designer, artist, and gaffer in glassblowing

Sarkis had been commissioned by Jasmine to produce glass prototypes of her designs for a home-accessory line. While Sarkis ‘gaffed’ Jasmine sat perched behind his workbench, watching and offering suggestions – but she was on his turf. Sarkis belonged to a community of glassblowers who prototype in the so-called ‘studio glass’ tradition. Studio glass tends to defy its original tenet of rejecting technique in favour of expression, and instead uses traditional technique and teamwork to explore the material and pursue expression. Finn was a graphic design major in college in the mid-1990s. He took glassblowing as an elective, and got hooked. After finishing college, Finn worked on contract for professional studio-glass artists. Once he was married with children, however, he decided that he needed a more secure income, but was uncertain about how to earn a living in the art world.