Design Explore Safi is the Morocco iteration of the Crafting Futures global programme, which is set up by British Council to support the future of craft around the world. 

This is the first time that British Council Morocco has been working with the community of potters and artists in Safi. The long history of Safi’s distinctive hand-painted ceramics featuring striking colours and intricate geometric patterns is renowned internationally. Its community of potters and ceramicists are living heritage for this port city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

This three-year project was run in partnership with OCP Foundation and delivered by the London-based design consultancy Ultra-Indigo. Following an initial open call, 20 potters, ceramic artists and other practitioners from Safi were selected to start an exciting journey, culminating in an exhibition in 2018 to showcase the work designed and produced over the previous three years. The exhibition and programme created the chance to bring a group of Moroccan and international ceramics and craft experts to Safi to discuss current challenges that local artisans and craftspeople and ceramic artists at large are facing as well as explore opportunities for the future.