History
"In the early nineties, Kerr Keller Design in Toronto established itself as a leader in designing sophisticated and stylish kitchen products. The company follows a playful approach but tempers this with practical problem solving.
Before attending the Ontario College of Art, Miles Keller already had a B.A. from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of British Columbia. Helen Kerr was awarded a Bachelor of Environmental Science from the University of Waterloo and graduated from OCA in 1988, where she currently teaches. Umbra became their first significant client, producing one of Miles Keller's student projects, a sleek plastic dustpan with a snap-in brush (1990). Between 1990 and 1998 Kerr Keller designed more than forty products, and their work contributed to Umbra's pre-eminence in the housewares industry. Kerr Keller also designed furniture, including the Talking side table for Nienkämper (1995) and the Chit Chat chair for Keilhauer (1996), which won the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) bronze award (1997).
In 1997, Miles Keller left the firm after his marriage to Helen Kerr ended. He now works for Allseating Corporation, Toronto, where he designed the notable OSs chair (1999). Helen Kerr continues to run the firm, now known as Kerr and Company. Under her direction it has expanded into metal product design for Browne & Company and the Soshu flatware collection for Gourmet Settings (1999). In a male-dominated profession, Kerr has played an important role in making industrial design a viable career for women."