About Elle

Elle McKee was just embarking upon her professional career when Kate Moss and Emma Bunton were wearing her designs. This was a T-shirt line for the Jeans for Genes foundation, but fabric prints are not Elle’s only chosen output. 
A self-described designer, Elle works with many aspects of design, including fabric, screen print and typography to name but a few. Using these methods, she produces ‘zines, books, flags, album art, posters and anything her next commission might entail. 

Elle’s versatility is what runs throughout her work and makes her a popular choice for challenging commissioned projects. It can sometimes be hard to tell that two of Elle’s pieces are both by the same designer - in the best way of course. 
Elle can take a request no matter how niche, and make it her latest obsession; an interest in Vexillography (flag design) was brought on after a brief to design a flag for the moon. 


“This was fun for me, as I especially like finding the place for design and beauty where it might not always be noticed” – Elle McKee


Due to the array of different projects undertaken by Elle, every piece of work requires different preparation. But most will follow the pattern of getting to know the brief, researching that and the clients, before coming up with a visual solution to communicate the desired message. Her ritual then involves buying a new sketchbook for every project, and clearing her whole desk before spending days with her head in a book or glued to whichever programme she deems necessary. 
Commissions aren’t Elle’s only work though of course, exhibitions also keep her occupied. She curated as well as exhibited in the Edinburgh College of Art Illustration exhibition ‘Moon Landing’ -


“Armed with a zero-pound budget and a ferocious imagination, 6 illustrators recently planned and set off on a drawing trip to the Moon. Wearing artisanal, one-of-a-kind space suits and equipped with an abundance of materials, these third year students sketched and photographed their arduous hike across the rocky surface” – ECAIllustration


Elle is quickly establishing herself as a designer with aptitude for multiple disciplines, and using whatever is at her disposal to meet a clients brief. Designing comes into every aspect of her life so there is never a moment when inspiration cannot hit. As she says:


“I love good design and really love to hate bad design.”