Keith Tyssen's reputation as a designer of modern silverwork was being established during the 1960's with successes in national design competitions, and the finely made silverwork coming out of the workshop he opened in 1963. His abilities were acknowledged when in 1968 he was made a Freeman of The Goldsmiths' Company which had earlier commissioned his 1966 prize winning entry in the Topham Trophy Design Competition, to add to their unique collection of Modern Plate. The Goldsmiths' Company commissioned further major pieces from Keith as part of making gifts of modern silverwork to Universities and The Church to encourage interest in the commissioning of modern silver.

Keith recently, after several years as Head of Design in SCP now Sheffield Hallam University, has returned fulltime to designing and carefully producing substantial, functional articles in sterling silver and in other metals for companies, public institutions and private collectors, working mainly to commission.

Keith is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths (since 1983). He regularly serves as External Assessor for Design Degree Courses in the UK. He is a founder member of the Association of British Designer Silversmiths (ABDS) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is listed in the Design Index at Goldsmiths' Hall, and in the Crafts Council's Index of Designer-Makers. His work has featured in numerous exhibitions in Britain and overseas.

His thoughts on design are direct. "Any man made object should have strength of character. A design should be apt, well-conceived and realised through a well-managed combination of invention, good technique, material, construction, and thoughtful finish. These things together are essential ingredients for arriving at a fine quality product, and good design is all of that. I prefer design that makes a bold visual statement, but calmly (mostly) and well tempered enough to equip an object with a kind of reassuring presence, enabling it to stand alone, yet also able to harmonise within its setting. For me, this forms a major part of the appeal of any good design, no matter its market value or social status. It also happens that silver in particular, is a naturally responsive and almost magical material, to touch, to work, and to use. Classified as a 'noble' metal, its many natural and material qualities are complimentary to my best attempts to capture presence and appeal within the work".

Some of Keith Tyssens' silverwork is also listed on the 'Who's who in Gold and Silver' a website at The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Keith's award winning Pewterware and Silverwork can also be seen on this site..

© Design copyright the property of Keith Tyssen