about me.

Hello, my name is Kara Greitzer and I am a graduating Architecture Major at MiamiUniversity of Ohio. The past four years have provided me many thought provokingopportunities to explore the world of design – from traditional studio experiences thathelped to develop my critical thinking skills to practical experience in model design andconstruction for a municipal park to a design internship with Anthropologie that openedmy eyes and my mind to the world of fashion and retail store design. Each experiencehas helped to define my understanding of design while igniting a passion to pursuea career in the design industry. I have been fortunate enough to travel abroad duringmy college experience and was able to spend an entire semester Florence Italy. Thosefive months in Europe not only helped to shape my design perspective, but provided apersonal growth and maturity experience that eclipsed the previous 20 years of my life.

Thank you in advance for reviewing my portfolio. It represents a brief overview of myexperience, my design perspective and my passion. Kara Marie Greitzer

anthro

pologie

pattern windows[summer 2011]This project was created for our storefront windows, and functioned as the design background for four of our five front windows. The design was comprised of about ten different types of wood, both new and old. We painted the wood three basic colors and five pop colors. We then assembled then in a geomet-ric pattern. I was responsible for painting a portion of the wood then cutting the individual pieces down to size so that they would all fit into the pattern we were creating. Our store was selected as a highlight

window for this design theme, with the company’s Photo-Share Program.

dots in color windows[summer 2011]This project was created for our storefront windows, and functioned as the design background for four of our five front windows. The design was comprised of literally thousands of 1.5” colored tissue paper dots painted with melted wax strung together. We used three main colors and then highlighted the design with sporadic color variations. We strung the tissue paper dots with a consistent layer of green at the top then introduced an inconstant wave layer of orange throughout the design and filled the balance with grey.

accesory frame[summer 2011]I was chosen to execute this project on my own. My design objective was to create a display fixture that was aesthetically appealing with or without merchandise hanging on it. I chose to build the frame out of recycled pieces of wall molding. I covered the inside of the frame with a neutral colored fabric to com-plement and highlight the jewelry. I am proud of the fact that this display fixture has become a perma-nent design element in the fitting room of the store.

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs

bookshelf[summer 2011]This large scale project was created for one of our front display windows. I was given a leadership role on this project. I came up with the initial design and then worked closely with the store’s Design Coordina-tor to refined the concept and decide upon a construction methodology. The bookshelf is designed to give the impression that the selves are supported by random stacks of books. In actuality, the shelf is very substantial. Each stack of books was drilled and glued to create a secure shelving system that customers could touch.

belt displaysummer 2011]I was chosen to execute this project on my own. My design objective was to create an attractive, yet functional fixture to display belts for the Fall Line. I selected recycled wood balustrades for the legs and then created a display surface out of plywood that was rough sanded and painted. I am proud of the fact that the store continues to use this display.

reverse dots[summer 2011]This smaller scale project was constructed on the back wall of the store for one of the Fall Lines. We used the silhouettes of tissue paper leftover from the dots for the “Dots in Color” windows. We utilized the leftover pieces of tissue paper with holes and strung them with a wire along the top edge and then scrunched them together to create a paper fan effect. They were hung from a wire to give the illusion that they were floating through the air.

hanging fabric[summer 2011]This large project was designed and built adjacent to the cash wrap counter and above a line of cloth-ing. We utilized four different kinds of fabric and then dyed them complimentary colors to the clothing line. We then tied them together in square knots. We hung them on three wires at different lengths so that you could see all of the different layers and textures of the fabric. This installation remains in the store today.

archit

ecture

reflection pavilion[spring 2010] Wood Shop, Graphite, Color Pencils, Clay, Photographs, Wire, String.

This small group project was completed during my Sophomore Spring Semester. We were given a chal-lenging design program that allowed for structure with a footprint no larger than150 square feet. Our primary objective was to create a pavilion that was integrated into its surroundings. We designed the roof of the pavilion to collect rainwater and filter it down through an internal rock wall into a collection pool and adjacent gardens. The siding was created with a dynamic pattern to direct your attention from the interior and to enhance your visual experience. The collages pictured are part of my initial study of the site. They are intended to represent the dimensional variables of the site such as; sounds, texture, smell, color, and temperature.

watershed research and education center

[spring 2011]SketchUP, AdobeCS3, Photoshop, Illustrator, Water Color.

This project was completed during my Junior Spring Semester. The project was executed through an inter-disciplinary studio comprised of Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Elementary Education and Life Science majors working together to design an education and research center for Hueston Woods State Park. The studio was then divided into smaller groups with two architecture majors, one interior de-sign major and five graphic design majors. Our studio was awarded a $25,000 planning grant to develop a building design and integrated communication strategy to inform the general public about statewide watershed issues. Our project was presented to the administrative board of the park and local watershed researchers. The project was selected for construction in the future based upon government funding.

florence workshop[fall 2010]Revit, AutoCAD, AdobeCS3, Photoshop, InDesign.

This project was completed during my Junior Fall Semester abroad in Florence, Italy. It was a one-week competition to design a modern performance theater for the city of San Minato, Italy. The new theater connects to an existing structure and provides for a new interior and exterior circulation routing around the venue. The new passageways create a connection between the three levels of the site and create a new piazza between each level. Each of the design teams were comprised of students from Miami Uni-versity, Kent State University and the Universities of Pisa, Florence, and Switzerland. My multicultural design team was awarded first place.

novoli urban center[fall 2010]Bonzai, SketckUP, AdobeCS3, Photoshop, Illustrator.

This individual project was completed during my Junior Fall Semester abroad in Florence, Italy. The pro-gram called from the creative adaptive reuse of a former heating plant in the City of Novoli. I chose to redevelop the structure into an urban community center that could be enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike. My design created gallery spaces for exhibitions as well as accommodations for indoor and outdoor gathering and lectures. The redesigned structure was oriented to provide for a connection to the center axis of Florence.

mediating margins[fall 2011]SketchUP, AdobeCS3, Photoshop, illustrator, InDesign, Water Color.

This project was completed during my Senior Fall Semester. The Wasson Way Trail as the project was called included both a group and individual component. As a group, we studied an abandon six-mile stretch of railroad tracks which intersected various neighborhoods throughout the greater Cincinnati, Ohio. Our design objective was to create an alternative use for the site such as; an organic network of bike, walking and running trails. The redevelopment process was inspired by the recent rails to trails move-ment happening in many cities around the world. As a result of the group research of the site, I chose to independently develop a site along the trail in the City of Mariemont into a Garden and Community Center.

floor plans.

ground floorfirst floor

1/16”=1’floor plans.

ground floorfirst floor

1/16”=1’

elevations.1/16’=1’

east.

west

south.

photo

graphy

“I love the people I photograph. I mean, they’re my friends. I’ve never met most of them or I don’t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them.” – Bruce Gilden

“The camera doesn’t make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.” – Ernst Haas

contact me.

greitzkm@muohio.edu1.937.215.9388

kara marie greitzer