One of the things that will determine success in a pottery studio is the type of clay that you use. Arguably, the quality of pottery you produce will depend more on the time and effort put into forming the pottery. The clay may come only second to this. However, this does not mean the clay is not important. The clay you buy will depend on the product you are trying to produce and the color and temperature that you are expecting to use with the clay. When you go out to buy, you will come across earthenware, porcelain or ceramic. The one you buy will depend on you understanding the properties of the particular clay.
When working with clay, there may be different things you lookout for. Some people may look for clay with little moisture, others will be looking for clay that does not shrink as much and others will be bothered. Except for the color that can be chosen as it is, it may be necessary to test the clay. This may require firing up at different temperatures and checking how it holds up.