About me
Award winning
Designer maker
Exploring digital craft through 3D printing in biodegradable materials made from 100% renewable and natural resources. The new ‘hello beautiful’ collection launched through my online shop in March 2021 expresses my love of form, textural surfaces, and colour. I am excited by the endless possibilities this design technology offers and am enjoying the exploration of the many exciting materials available. Each piece is unique and due to the nature of the process often unpredictable.
With the environment in mind, all 3D printed materials are commercially compostable and all packaging is recyclable.
If you are an independent retailer, restaurant, or cafe and feel you need an injection of colour and texture for your stores, interiors, and tables please contact me through my contacts page to discuss wholesale opportunities.
Design consultancy
My design consultancy was established in May 2020. I offer my expertise to clients who wish to create exciting and meaningful product collections. Using my extensive experience in ceramic design and design management to evaluate market trends and consumer research, I develop mood boards, create concept development through initial designs, provide 3D surfaces for shape design, prototyping, and finally technical drawings for manufacture.
In addition I can provide art direction for product photography, styling, and packaging design.
If you would like to discuss a collaboration please contact me by clicking the link.
Senior lecturer
I am a senior lecturer on the Staffordshire University Product, Furniture, Ceramics BA (Hons). The course is a mixed material course and so I have the opportunity to work with students not only with their ceramic designs and making processes but also with many other materials and objects such as furniture. Working alongside the amazing course leaders and design and industry experts, I thoroughly enjoy sharing my knowledge and over 25 years of experience with the next generation of creatives.
Endorsements
Keeley is an amazing freelance designer based in Stoke on Trent. In my view, she is responsible for some of the best designs to come out of our industry….!!
— Dan Goodall, Design Director Portmeirion.
Keeley is an incredibly talented designer with finely honed skills in her field. In addition to her exceptional creative talent, she is a complete joy to work with - intelligent, dedicated, organised, a great communicator, charming, and always good-humoured.
— Jo Hulf, Business director and founder, previously Jasper Conran Design Director
I worked with Keeley Traae during my tenure with Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton! Keeley is a very talented designer with a creative vision, innovative design ideas, and strong communication and presentation skills. She is a strong team player and it was a pleasure to work with her on many new projects including the designer collections of Jasper Conran and Martha Stewart. Keeley is an asset to any design and creative team! Her positive attitude, creative sensibility, and exemplary design skills are the ingredients to many successful designs!
— Lisa Archambault, Vice President Concept & Design Portmeirion Group USA & Nambe.
In 2015 I was awarded an internship at Royal Doulton WWRD head office. Landing in the UK from Australia, Keeley Traae instantly made me feel welcome. Going above and beyond by introducing me to the history of the town and the company’s rich history and continued to play an important role for the month. As my supervisor and mentor, she was instrumental in the positive experience I had, the work I produced, and still keeps in touch with me today, watching and encouraging my creative practice. I gained valuable knowledge from her thanks to her approachable manner and wide skill base and instantly felt like a valued member of the collaborative community at WWRD
— Jaimee Paul, Owner, Art for Purpose and Animal portraiture
Cool, calm & collected. Dedicated, perfectly organised, and a true modern designer at the core. Keeley has a grand overview of every design process, superb brand understanding, and managerial skills to match. I had the privilege of working with her in my years as Creative and Strategic Director of Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Albert, and Royal Doulton at Fiskars. Keeley was the driving force behind the full repositioning of Royal Doulton, a British heritage brand of outstanding history that re-blossomed as a successful and profitable brand, relevant to new consumers on a global scale and creating impactful collaborations with renowned partners such as Ellen DeGeneres and Gordon Ramsay. Keeley can fly solo and be the most dedicated team-player at the same time …and she is a joy to be around. My sincere recommendations!
— Mariusz Skronski, Creative Director, Executive Producer, Entrepreneur