I’m Ashlee Keller, a designer based in South Carolina with strengths in branding, publication and layout design, advertising, and experience design. I see design as my superpower—an ability to uncover beauty, magic, and creativity in the every day by making unexpected connections and transforming the mundane into something extraordinary.

I believe that design is a beautiful culmination of the mundane fused with self-expression and problem-solving that fuels my soul and longing for curiosity. In this, I have found freedom and flexibility in my own process. I tend to either fully conform to rules or completely break them. This pattern is freeing and has shaped me into a well-rounded, detail-oriented yet sporadic designer. 

When I stick to the rules and rise to the occasion, I run. But when I receive opportunities to get extra creative and completely shatter the rules, I soar like an eagle. This freedom in creativity makes the work feel like play, and the future ahead seems less daunting. With this, design has allowed me to apply my creativity and further an optimistic belief that all things are possible. 

Everyone's got to start somewhere. Anticipate and embrace the potential of failure-nothing is everything!

My favorite memory is when my Junior class worked together to create a design conference, called the Knot Conference. The process was new and exciting, and it resulted in a fulfilling day & experience that I learned so much from. 

My favorite class was Brand Identity during my Junior year. It was the first time I was able to apply thorough research to a project, which strengthened my appreciation and value towards preliminary work. 

Receiving critique during my Methods of Ideation class as a sophomore from Seniors resulted in some of my closest friendships. Having these friends as mentors completely shifted my process, as they taught me how to manage work and play, and do it well. 

After I graduate in May, I plan to spend a few years living and working in Greenville, SC. Down the road, I plan to shift into doing creative work within the music and entertainment industry. I am eager to continue learning and growing and embracing it all along the way!

I hope that my work inspires others to embrace the chaos. Although design is often fueled by deeply rooted strategy and structure, I enjoy identifying opportunities to shake things up in the process. There's always an opportunity to make the mundane meaningful, and I hope that the audience can identify their own methods of doing so from my work.