Claire Haley, Haley Bird Design
Claire is an architect, researcher and designer-maker of concept jewellery and handheld objects, creating uniquely expressive statement pieces exploring materiality and mindful interactions.
Her work is research driven and her architectural and teaching background have instilled in her a culture of lifelong learning. She embraces opportunities to develop her practice, her curiosity constantly leading to experimentation with new techniques and materials. Much of her work uses architectural materials such as rubber flooring and steamed plywood outside their usual context. She experiments in order to understand a material’s natural properties, before exploiting these to showcase each in innovative ways.
Claire recently completed an MA in Design, during which she explored the potential for digital fabrication including 3D scanning, 3D printing and CNC milling, techniques which have become embedded in her work, offering an exciting range of new possibilities for making. She developed an innovative technique for “capturing the grip”, forming and scanning 3D models to capture the negative space within a gripped hand. Using a combination of digital and hand making techniques, these pieces promote touch and incite mindfulness.
Collaborating with other artists, designers, and makers frequently opens new avenues for exploration, allowing Claire to further develop her practice. She has recently completed twoproductive collaboration projects within the iAtelier programme run by the Crafts Council and Crafting Europe, allowing her to partner with a milliner, a furniture maker and an installation artist. She is now planning to use this experience to feed into further study, undertaking a PhD in Creative Collaborations.
IG: @haleybirddesign
