College graduate John Quick has created a collection of donut-shaped pipes, with ceramic glazes to resemble frosting, for smoking marijuana.

The collection of Donut Pipes is hand-made by fine-arts student Quick, who attended Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Designed to resemble the popular fried snacks, each fits in the palm of the hand and is roughly the same shape. The pipes are finished with colourful glazes to resemble plain, sprinkled, iced and chocolate donuts.

Although first appearing decorative, the objects are intended for smoking cannabis. The rings are hollow and feature air holes at either end, allowing smoke to pass through both sides at the same time.

On one end is a small crevice for placing the weed, with three small air holes in the shape of a triangle that provides an even burn while lighting the bowl. Users inhale the smoke from the opposite end.

"It's important to be delicate and precise when making this form because inconsistency will lead to problems with function," Quick told Dezeen.

The designer has worked with donut forms for a while. "I had always found it such an intriguing shape to make on the wheel," he said.

Quick makes all of the pieces one by one, and uses his hands to measure the approximate size of the pipe. "They are thrown to the length of my middle finger," he explained.

After having some time to harden, Quick then alters each one and adds the bowl, mouth hole, and carb hole.

"The process of making my donut-shaped pipes is long and delicate," he said. "I first begin by throwing a batch of the small donut-shape on the wheel. They are thrown as a hollow form and later trimmed to remove weight and refine the donut shape."

The pipes are sold exclusively by Yield design studio, which is also based in Saint Augustine and co-founded by another Flagler alum. Yield has helped promote Quick's creations, and also designs its own line of furniture and homeware.

As cannabis legalisation spreads across North Americas, several designers have jumped to create products for the burgeoning market. They include a pink stack by Castor and a bright blue design by Jamie Wolfond – both made of glass rather than ceramic.

Photography is by Kelsey Heinze.